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tures. In Burnet, you can cut away from the Courthouse Square across U.S. 281 (watch for traffic and wait on the lights) and make your way to the Riverwalk on Hamilton Creek. In Johnson City, you can even walk in the footsteps of President Lyndon B. Johnson at his boyhood home. Go fish — When it comes to fishing, the Highland Lakes has a lot to offer anglers. From the hidden coves of Lake Travis up to the Colorado River coursing through Colorado Bend State Park, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of places to toss in a line. You can even spend a day exploring one of the many rivers that roll through the Hill Country including the Blanco, the Pedernales or the Llano. If you’re new to the area, check with one of the many fishing guides who will gladly take you to the best spots.
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Hit the trail — Two topnotch places for hitting the trail are Pedernales Falls State Park east of Johnson City and Inks Lake State Park southwest of Burnet. Pedernales State Park boasts several miles of trails just begging to be explored. The fall and winter temperatures make day hiking even more pleasant. Just be careful along the river. Even a little rain can turn the Pedernales into a rollicking river. The park is found east of Johnson City on FM 2766. Inks Lake State Park with its granite outcroppings has some great places to take in the view. The park offers the Stumpy Hollow Nature Hike during the year, which is led by a certified Master Naturalist. For
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more, call the park at (512) 793-2223. You can find the park six miles west of U.S. 281 in Burnet County on Park Road 4. Speaking of granite, you always can head to Enchanted Rock, which offers one of the most unique experiences in Texas. The park has several trails, including one that leads to the top of the outcropping. For more, call the park at (830) 685-3636. The park is located south of Llano and north of Fredericksburg on RR 965. Colorado Bend State Park is home to Gorman Falls and numerous caves. To find the park, go north on U.S. 281 to Lampasas and from the U.S. 281 and U.S. 183 intersection take FM 580 west 24 miles to Bend. Follow the signs to the park entrance. Another great area for a hike is the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge on the eastern edge of Burnet County. The refuge encompasses thousands of protected acres and several hiking trails. A great jumping off point is the Doeskin Ranch on FM 1174 north of RR 1431. For more, visit www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/balcones. Pedal, baby, pedal — Bicycling is a great way to enjoy the Highland Lakes. One of the great rides for roadies is simply pedaling along portions of Texas 71 between Spicewood and Llano, but be careful — auto traffic can be pretty fast there. Over in the Stonewall area between Johnson City and Fredericksburg, RR 1 is a nice little ride through LBJ state and national parks. For a list of rides and even maps of rides, check out the Austin Cycling Association website at www.austincycling.org. Several of the state parks including Pedernales Falls and Colorado Bend have mountain bike trails. But for the more
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Lake Country’s #1 Choice for Birthday Parties (All Ages)
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BAR CAFE PRO SHOP OUTDOOR BBQ FIRE PIT WASHER PIT PAVILION HOURS Monday - Friday: 10:00am - 12:00am Saturday: 10:00am - 1:00am Sunday: 11:00am - 11:00pm 112 Northridge Rd. Marble Falls
2 miles north of Marble Falls on Hwy 281
830-693-4311 101 FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE HIGHLAND LAKES Fall/Winter 2012
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