The Colorado River, running through Austin, Texas, and the area now referred to as Lake Travis, has always been a beautiful place to live. The early settlers found it suitable for farming and ranching--until it rained. The rain soaked up soil, and water upstream often engorged the land and washed out everything in its path. Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal created agencies that constructed hydroelectric dams for the Tennessee Valley Authority, and those were used as blueprints for the Lower Colorado River Authority. The ground-breaking for the Mansfield Dam took place on February 19, 1937, and the dam was completed in 1942, providing power and flood control for the area. The dam created Lake Travis and brought about a new recreational industry. Boat docks, lodges, and parks sprang up along the newly created lake, and they are still enjoyed today.

The Colorado River, running through Austin, Texas, and the area now referred to as Lake Travis, has always been a beautiful place to live. The early settlers found it suitable for farming and ranching--until it rained. The rain soaked up soil, and water upstream often engorged the land and washed out everything in its path. Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal created agencies that constructed hydroelectric dams for the Tennessee Valley Authority, and those were used as blueprints for the Lower Colorado River Authority. The ground-breaking for the Mansfield Dam took place on February 19, 1937, and the dam was completed in 1942, providing power and flood control for the area. The dam created Lake Travis and brought about a new recreational industry. Boat docks, lodges, and parks sprang up along the newly created lake, and they are still enjoyed today.

Insiders' Guide to Austin is the essential source for in-depth travel and relocation information to Texas's state capital. Written by locals (and true insiders), Insiders' Guide to Austin offers a personal and practical perspective of Austin and its surrounding environs.

An illustrated guide to Austin, Texas.

Is Walmart a good place to meet God? What about a dive bar? The town dump? Does meeting God happen only in separate, "holy" places? The book of Acts says there is no place on earth without a witness to God's love (Acts 14:16-17). God longs to meet us throughout our lives: at the bus stop, at a costume shop, even at a livestock auction. It's time for expanded spirituality--one that is brave and fresh and all-encompassing. Pastor Laura has been helping people meet God in their communities for two decades. Come with her. Soon you will be talking about the strange and wonderful places you found yourself and the amazing, tender, and powerful ways you met God there. You will find that the search and discovery change you, and the way you approach faith, forever.

* Terrain that's hazard-free and easy on the dog paws * Guidebook includes what to pack for your dog -- the Ten Canine Essentials and the Doggy First-Aid Kit A native of Texas, Melissa Gaskill has spent more than 20 years hiking and camping with her dogs all over the Lonestar State. In this guidebook, she shares her favorite hikes in the Hill Country and Coast areas that are sure to delight both you and your dog. The trails in range from short jaunts to longer, challenging hikes. Discover everything from rugged hills with limestone cliffs and rolling terrain, to wide-open areas with brush and cactus, to the coastal plain with its grasslands and pine forests. For each hike, leash regulations and availability of water are noted, along with any trail concerns pertinent for your dog. Advice is given on topics such as proper canine trail etiquette, wildlife encounters, and weather concerns. There's also a handy Trail Finder chart that lists hikes by length, terrain, difficulty for dogs, and more.

For local travelers looking for an experience in their own backyard, Day Trips® from Austin is the essential guide to things to see and do around Austin—from Waco's Texas Ranger Hall of Fame to Museum of Handmade Furniture in Braunfels. With a population of nearly 700,000, and a metro area of 1.7 million and growing, America's #1 College Town (Travel Channel) is an ideal starting point for these and other activities: * Do something sweet: Visit Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham to see the making of ice cream and you can enjoy a free scoop at the tour's end. * Do something wonderful: Take a ride on a miniature train for a tour of Texas's largest petting zoo, and have your mind bent in the Anti-Gravity House at Wonder World in San Marcos. * Do something outdoorsy: Vacation at one of the many dude ranches that dot the landscape around Bandera for horseback riding, cookouts, fishing, hiking, and even country-western dance lessons.

Your Travel Destination. Your Home. Your Home-To-Be. San Antonio Stroll along the River Walk and grab a bite to eat. Relive history at the Alamo. Experience the exotic blend of Texas frontier and Mexican marketplace. • A personal, practical perspective for travelers and residents alike • Comprehensive listings of attractions, restaurants, and accommodations • How to live & thrive in the area—from recreation to relocation • Countless details on shopping, arts & entertainment, and children’s activities

Trophy wife Celeste Beard wasn't satisfied with a luxurious lifestyle and her rich Austin media mogul husband's devotion -- so she took his life! The wife: She wanted everything, but her husband stood in the way. The lesbian lover: A love-struck, middle-aged woman with a history of mental illness, she would do anything to set Celeste free. The beauty salon receptionist: Celeste hired her to tie up the loose ends ... in a second conspiracy to commit murder.