Austin Explorer's Logbook

Stats
Total Log Entries: 35 (Rank: 1st)  [List Them]  [Map Them]
Average Rating: 2point5stars (2.81)

Earliest Log Entry: 12/25/2001
Latest Log Entry: 12/28/2013

Average ratings are based on the published values and not the values entered in your own log entries.

Photos
The Driskill Hotel

The front of the historic Driskill Hotel, showing both of the main street-facing sides. [Driskill Hotel]
Log Entries
Drought opportunity
Mansfield Dam Tramway - 12/28/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: 2stars

Coppertone and I had been waiting for some time to see whether or not the drought would get to the point that the peninsula from Mansfield Dam Park would completely open up.  This weekend we drove by and saw a land bridge.

We had heard about the support bases for the tramway that was used to help construct Mansfield Dam being there and wanted to get a closer look.  We spent a few hours strolling about the spit of land that should be under water.  There are a few geocaches to find, shells to look at and a bit of history to view.

Only the smaller bases remain since the LCRA broke apart some of the larger ones to remove them as a boating hazard.

Long Gone
Haile Airport - 11/19/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: 1point5stars

Drove by the site to log a visit and found the hanger had recently been torn down! No other known sign of the airport now remains.
Another Athens of Texas
Salado College - 12/2/2012  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars

Coppertone and I stopped by for a visit while strolling through the shops in town on this day.  This is not the only school that made the claim of being the "Athens" of Texas.  I think Austin College made the same claim.

All that remains are some of the exterior walls of the two story building.  It's hard to believe that even this building could accomodate the nearly 300 students that had enrolled near its height.

Local preservationists seem to be doing a good job of keeping the remains in stable condition and the addition of some plaques and the Robertson monument (founder and benefactor) provide some background in a time when Salado was an up and coming metro area.

A place of rest, even now
Seiders Springs - 9/22/2012  [View Log Page]
Rating: 2point5stars

I'd passed by here while walking along the Shoal Creek Trail but failed to log it so I made a special visit today.  Though recent rains have contributed to some of the small springs' flow at this time there's still a couple that had some stagnant water pooled up beneath them.

A couple sat and laid on the nearby park bench reading and discussing nutritional topics with each other.  In the shade the temperatures were pleasant and the sound of trickling water made for a nice backdrop.

Oasis
Edward H. Rogers Homestead - 9/13/2011  [View Log Page]
Rating: 2stars

Strange to see this oasis of a homestead in the middle of office buildings and railroad tracks.