How “Poet of the Story” Katherine Anne Porter was Shaped (And Conflicted) by Growing up in Texas
She won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. President Kennedy praised her work. Vivien Leigh starred in her movie. Her life rivaled the character drama of Hemingway’s—four marriages, countless affairs, stints in New York and Paris and Mexico. But you may have never heard of Katherine Anne Porter. And even here in her home state, you’re even less likely to know that this 20th-century master of the short story could be the best writer ever born and raised in Texas. Read More »
Five Can’t-Miss Food Festivals to Indulge in This Summer
Food is an essential part of any festival, but these Texas towns take their focus on cuisine to the next level. Tantalize your taste buds at these food-themed events featuring sizzling cookoffs, sweet samples, and a gathering of like-minded foodies from across the state. Read More »
The Daytripper’s Top 5 in Bandera
We’ve all been there, when an out-of-stater asks us if we all wear 10-gallon hats and ride horses to work. For most of us, the answer is no. But for the folks in the Cowboy Capital of the World, it’s a part of daily life. This Hill Country town is filled with all the boot-scootin’, cattle-ropin’ fun your Texan heart can handle. Here are five ways to wrangle the most adventure out of your day. Read More »
Find Summer Bliss with a Spontaneous Trip to One of Texas’ Lesser-Known Destinations
When it comes to iconic Texas summer destinations, the early bird gets the worm, or in this case, the prime Garner State Park campsite. With the population of Texas continuing to grow by 1,000 people a day, some of the state’s most sought-after vacation spots are booked five months to a year in advance. But, luckily, there are plenty of equally enjoyable summer diversions for the more spontaneous-minded travelers. Read More »
Texas-Based RV Rental Company Now Books Experiences
Austin-based RV rental company Outdoorsy recently announced that customers will be able to add-on “experiences” when renting RVs, campers, and Airstreams from their website. Read More »
Summer for Procrastinators: Lost Maples State Natural Area
Lost Maples is most often touted as a destination for viewing fall foliage, but the shade from the trees make the park a cooler and more comfortable hiking destination in the summer. Read More »
Rent a Kayak for a New Perspective on Austin’s Bat Flight
Each evening between late February and late October, as the sun hits the horizon line, experts estimate that somewhere between 750,000 and 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats leave the nooks and crannies of this downtown bridge’s interior to go a-hunting. And each evening over that same eight-month span, hundreds of people line the bridge’s walkway, as well as any open spaces nearby, to take it all in. Most locals suggest claiming space hours before sunset in order to get a good view. But a few hours in the hot sun with nothing to do but wait? That seemed like a situation that would violate all three of our family getaway hopes fairly quickly. Read More »
Stories of Suffering and Salvation from Colonial Texas’ Western Edge
For the colonists who settled Texas, the Colorado River represented boundless potential—lands thick with alluvial soils, timber, and game. But as the edge of civilization, the Colorado also meant danger—a treacherous obstacle that was prone to flooding, deadly to cross, and a harbor for native tribes. Read More »
The Bard is Back
"As You Like It" and "Othello" are atop the bill for the 34th Texas Shakespeare Festival beginning Thursday at Kilgore College. Read More »
The Story of Mi Tierra’s ‘American Dream’ Mural in San Antonio
Featuring portraits of more than 100 people, "American Dream" was the idea of Jorge Cortez—the son of Mi Tierra founders Pedro “Pete” and Cruz Cortez. “I wanted to honor my father and mother, who came to the U.S. as immigrants,” Cortez says of the mural. Read More »
Seeking Solitude, an East Texas Native Discovers an Island of Indelible Characters
When I moved away from the Piney Woods, my old canoe stayed behind. Years passed before I came back to fetch it ... Read More »
Photo: Keep Cool at Devil’s Waterhole in Inks Lake State Park This Summer
A lot of lore surrounds the naming of Devil’s Waterhole along a northeast branch of Inks Lake State Park near Burnet: One legend says the land's previous owner was known to curse loudly whenever his wagon got stuck crossing it, while others believe Native Americans originally named it for its warmer waters. While the source of the name is unconfirmed, there’s no question that it’s a popular natural swimming area for daredevils. It can only be reached from inside the park by either hiking the quarter-mile Devil’s Waterhole Trail or by paddling along Inks Lake. Upon arrival, hikers and paddlers are greeted by the park’s metamorphic rock, Valley Spring Gneiss, with ledges rising up to 40 feet above the water. Read More »
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