Plus, Travis County is in a burn ban.
 
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Today’s Forecast

69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.
 

🏊 A summer splash

Splashing around at Blanco State Park
A swimming hole in the Blanco River peeks through trees
Blanco State Park is a hotspot for camping, swimming, and fishing on the Blanco River. | Photo by ATXtoday
As part of our journey to celebrate 100 years of Texas State Parks, we recently took a drive southeast to Blanco State Park.

This park is unique for several reasons: in addition to being one of Texas’ first state parks, it’s also one of the smallest state parks in the state, and is entirely located within Blanco city limits.

History

The Blanco River has drawn area residents for hundreds of years, in part because the springs offer a consistent water source during droughts.

Established in 1933, Blanco State Park was one of the first four state parks to be built by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps. It took the team 11 months to build the park’s bridges, dams, roads, and picnic areas.

A tree-covered trail disappears into the distance at Blanco State Park.

Blanco State Park has two short nature trails.

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Photo by ATXtoday

In more recent history, heavy rainfall surged the Blanco River to 30 ft high in 2015, rising over several nearby bridges. The flood uprooted trees as tall as 20ft and littered the park with branches and trash — it took five months to fully clean and repair the park.

What to see

Reader Linda S. recommended keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife when you visit Blanco State Park. If you’re lucky, you just might spot a great blue heron, a common musk turtle, or a leopard frog.

Another reader reminded us not to miss the original Blanco county building, located just outside of the park in the heart of Blanco.

Overlooking a swimming area near a stone dam at Blanco State Park.

With several areas for swimming, fishing, and boating, Blanco State Park is perfect for a summertime splash.

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Photo by ATXtoday

What to do

Blanco State Park is a hot spot for campers, swimmers, and picnickers. There are two small trails in the park, but the park’s showstopper is certainly the river that runs through its heart. Spring-fed waters with a series of dams provides easy access for:
  • Swimming
  • Kayaking
  • Fishing
  • Boating
Make a reservation to visit Blanco State Park online.
Asked

Which state park should we visit next?
A. Lockhart State Park
B. Buescher State Park
C. Bastrop State Park
D. Longhorn Cavern State Park
Let us know
 
Events
Wednesday, July 19
  • Wine Wednesday | Wednesday, July 19 | 5-11 p.m. | Wanderlust Wine Co., 610 N. I-35, Austin | Free | Enjoy 50% off all wines on tap at Wanderlust Wine Co.
  • “Touki bouki” | Wednesday, July 19 | 7:30 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $11 | Watch a 1970s-era film about post-independence Senegal as part of the theater’s Summer Classic Film Series.
Thursday, July 20
  • The Drop-In | Thursday, July 20 | 7 p.m. | The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | Free | Watch live music at the Long Center’s brand new, 3D-printed stage every Thursday this summer.
  • Smash it Sports Vipers vs. Texas Smoke | Thursday, July 20-Saturday, July 22 | Times vary | Concordia University, 11400 Concordia University Dr., Austin | $10-$20 | Cheer on the Texas Smoke as they face down the Alabama team.
Friday, July 21
  • Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the Musical“ | Friday, July 21 | 8:15-10:30 p.m. | Zilker Hillside Theater, 2206 William Barton Dr., Austin | Free | Roald Dahl’s classic tale of a young girl discovering her magic comes to life at Zilker Park.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Environment
  • Travis County is under a burn ban from now until Wednesday, Aug. 16 due to recent dry, hot weather. During the ban, residents may still conduct grilling and barbecuing outside, although officials encourage caution while doing so.
Real Estate
  • The Austin Housing Conservancy, the Austin Housing and Planning Department, and Austin Housing Finance Corp. partnered to acquire seven apartment complexes in North Central Austin. The ~200 units will be renovated and kept as affordable housing for households earning 50%-80% of the median family income. (Austin Business Journal)
Civic
  • Austin Parks and Recreation will spend $1 million installing a new camera, more lighting, and sidewalks near Rainey Street to improve safety in the area. (KUT)
Sports
  • UT freshman basketball player Madison Booker is currently competing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Madrid. The US team — coached by Texas A&M’s Joni Taylor — has already won against Mali and Germany and plays next tomorrow, July 20 against Chinese Taipei. (Austin American-Statesman)
Coming Soon
  • A new Sprouts Farmers Market will open in Mueller at 1201 Barbara Jordan Blvd. on Friday, Sept. 22. The grocer is known for organic produce-forward offerings. (CultureMap Austin)
Award
  • Austin author Elizabeth Crook, who wrote “The Which Way Tree” and “Money, Monday,” will receive this year’s Texas Writer Award. Elizabeth will be awarded at the Texas Book Festival, taking place Friday, Nov. 11-Saturday, Nov. 12. (Austin Chronicle)
Drink

🍸 Your favorite watering holes

Drink Up: Reader-favorite bars and restaurants
ATX_Lees
ATXtoday readers recommended trying out the drinks at Lee’s Kitchen + Cocktails. | Photo by @leeskitchenatx
In case you missed it, we’re in the middle of celebrating Austin’s beverage industry as part of Drink Up Month.

We’re highlighting local beverages and beverage entrepreneurs in our newsletter and on our social media throughout July, but we also wanted to open the floor for you to shout out your go-to spots.

Here are the Austin-based businesses y’all thought deserved some recognition:
Shop
Shop
  • Make sure your child’s wardrobe is upgraded this school year with Ducks & Drakes, a clothing company with tall kids at the heart of its designs.
Active
  • Contemplating an e-bike purchase? Upway — the No. 1 certified e-bike provider — sells top-quality electric bikes up to 60% cheaper than retail.
Eat
  • Slice and serve your favorite meats + cheeses on this sleek yet durable maple wood cutting board. Bonus: It’s preconditioned with beeswax, linseed, and lemon oil.
Travel
  • Don’t get stuck paying those pesky airline fees with a bag that exceeds the weight limit. Use this portable luggage scale to save time + money.
 
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The Wrap
 
London Gibson

Today’s edition by:
London
From the editor
A little fun fact about Blanco: it’s the site of the first commercial lavender farm in the state.

Hill Country Lavender Farm was established in 1999 after award-winning photographer Robb Kendrick photographed a lavender harvest in Provence, France for National Geographic and came back to open the farm with his partner, journalist Jeannie Ralston.
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