Category: Lifestyle

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Blog Family Fun Lifestyle Tips TX

Summer vacation – Travel hacks

If you’re like millions of other folks, you’re probably itching to head out on a summer vacation. Travel industry experts are predicting this to be a record-setting travel season – Memorial Day weekend alone saw over 42 million travelers. 

 

With busy skies and busy highways being a likelihood with so many heading out for vacation, here are a few tips to help make your trip a hassle-free one. 

 

Leave Early or Late – If you’re traveling by plane or train, consider opting for a red-eye ticket. These are often a little cheaper and may be less crowded. 

 

It’s probably not the safest idea to drive through the night, but if you can leave a few hours before morning rush hour, you’ll have less traffic to contend with on the roads. Just be sure to go to bed early the night before so you’re well rested. 

 

Use Alternative Routes – The U.S. interstate system revolutionized travel, but all those six-lane highways can get pretty crowded at times. Consider plugging an alternative route into your GPS that doesn’t take you on the interstate.

 

Often times these alternative routes aren’t that much longer and are less crowded. You may even discover some off-the-beaten-path places worth stopping at along the way.  

 

Flash Your Credentials – Many restaurants, rental car companies, hotels, and even airlines offer discounts based on affinity affiliations. Often times these discounts apply to senior citizens, Triple AAA members, first responders, active or military veterans, students, and even teachers. All you have to do is ask. 

 

Use Social Media to Your Advantage – Follow airlines and hotels on social media before your trip. This way, you’ll be privy to any important announcements or limited-time offers. 

 

The same goes for theme parks. Parks like Disney and Universal Studios also have apps that may be worth downloading to help find a bathroom or locate attractions with shorter wait times. 

 

Bring a Water Bottle – This is a simple one but can be a big money saver. By bringing a reusable water bottle with you, you’ll be able to save on constantly having to buy water bottles, a cost that can add up quickly in airports and theme parks. 

 

Pack Smart – Good organization is key for packing, and packing cubes make keeping everything organized that much easier. Not only do they help with organization, but they work like mini-compression sacks and enable you to cram more stuff in your suitcase. 

 

Block Out the Noise – If you’re going on a long flight or will be bunking with people whose sleep habits you’re unfamiliar with, do yourself a favor and buy some noise-canceling headphones. Trust us; they’re much better at blocking out snoring or loud music than simply shoving tissue in your ear. 

 

Splurge on Lunch – If you’re a foodie who loves to eat at the best restaurants on vacation (and who doesn’t?), then you know that eating out can get expensive. Check if the restaurant you’re eyeing offers a less expensive lunch menu and splurge on your mid-day meal rather than dinner. 

 

As much fun as heading out for a summer vacation is, it’s always great to come back to a home you love and sleep in your own bed. If you’re looking for the perfect home, reach out to the Crosswinds team to learn more about Kyle and our inventory of available homes. 

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Blog Family Fun Kyle Texas Lifestyle

A Guide to Creating Unforgettable Memories with Dad this Father’s Day

Father’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the fathers in our lives. Whether they’re biological fathers, adoptive fathers, grandfathers, or fatherly mentors, it’s a special chance for us to tell them and show them how much they mean to us. 

 

Here are some ideas that will surely put a smile on Dad’s face – whether they are right here in the Texas Hill Country or miles away. 

 

Keep It Simple

 

There’s nothing wrong with going all out, but often, something straightforward and from the heart is a perfect way to show Dad how much you care. While every father is unique, here are a few gifts that just about any dad is guaranteed to love. 

 

  • Thoughtful card – While Hallmark has some amazing scribes, a personal, heartfelt message is just as special.
  • Book – Ask the dad in your life about a few of his favorite literary genres and grab him one of the latest bestsellers. Who knows, maybe you’ll introduce him to his new favorite author?
  • Framed photo – Give him a framed picture of you two or even of him and his grandchildren.
  • Sports Jersey – Surprise Dad with a top-notch jersey featuring his all-time favorite player’s number. This gift will allow him to enjoy games in style, feeling like he’s part of the action.

 

Take Him Out

 

You don’t need to whisk them off to a foreign destination or even a weekend getaway to show him you care. Take him to his favorite restaurant, treat him to a movie or concert of his choice, or go out for a round of golf together. The important thing is that you find an opportunity to spend time with him doing something he’ll enjoy. 

 

There are some pretty great ways to make Father’s Day special right here in Kyle and the greater Austin area. Pack up all your dad’s favorite snacks in a picnic basket, grab a blanket, and head out to one of the local parks in Kyle for some quality time together. And if you don’t feel like doing the cooking yourself, local restaurants like Milt’s Pit BBQ and Texas Pie Company can put together a perfect takeout plate for your picnic basket. 

 

Get Creative

 

If Dad loves to try new things, consider signing him up for a subscription service. For example, does he enjoy an evening beer? Check out the Beer of the Month Club. The subscription allows you to choose from five different clubs that vary by brewery, country of origin, and beer style to suit their specific tastes. A Beer of the Month subscription is a great way to stretch out the Father’s Day celebration all year long!

 

Head Outdoors

 

There’s a good chance that the father in your life works harder than you realize. Treat him to a day outdoors, whether it be hiking, a bike ride, fishing, or even a local camping trip. No matter what he prefers, it is another great way to spend some quality time together doing something they love!

 

These are just a few of the great ways you can celebrate Father’s Day around Kyle. Prefer to keep your plans within walking distance? Get the whole family together and take in the fresh air with a walk along the trails at Crosswinds. To learn more about this wonderful city and find a home here, contact the Crosswinds team today. 

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Blog Family Fun Kyle Texas Lifestyle

Getting Into Gardening

If you’re looking to spend more time outdoors this spring and aren’t afraid of getting a little dirty, gardening is a wonderful hobby to take up. Gardening not only allows you to connect with nature but provides a sense of satisfaction from watching your plants grow (and potentially even produce food)!

 

Here are a few tips to consider if you’re a newbie to gardening and are hoping to grow a green thumb in the Texas Hill Country.

 

Timing is Everything

 

May is an ideal month for gardening. There’s usually a healthy amount of rain, the possibility of a cold snap is in the rearview mirror, and it’s still not too hot out yet. While it’s a little late in the season to be planting spring flowers (those should have been planted in March), this is the ideal time for many vegetables.

 

Know Your Zone

 

Each part of the country is made up of various hardiness zones. These help gardeners know which types of plants will thrive best in their particular region, and Kyle happens to be in Zone 8. If you’ve been here for any amount of time, you know that hot summers and mild winters are the standard. It’s these conditions that make this area great for heat-loving vegetables. 

 

Prep Your Garden Area

 

Unless you aim to grow cattails, well-draining soil is going to be a must. You’ll also want to aim for a space that offers a good amount of sun.

 

Once you have your gardening spot picked out, there are a few things you’ll need to do to ensure your plants flourish.

 

  • Apply a compost layer of mulch to flower beds to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
  • Plant any bedding plants, such as shrubs, and give them ample water before the weather really heats up.
  • Water your plants deeply and infrequently to foster strong roots.
  • Loosen up the soil before planting any vegetable seeds.
  • Pull any weeds that may have popped up before they start seeding.

 

Grow What You Like

 

Some plants are going to be easier than others to grow, but regardless of difficulty, you should grow what you like. There’s no sense in growing tomatoes if nobody in your household can stand them. If you grow what you like, you’ll enjoy gardening that much more!

 

Vegetables that do well in Zone 8 and are perfect for planting in May:

 

  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Eggplant
  • Peppers
  • Okra
  • Spinach
  • Cucumbers
  • Herbs
  • Summer squash

 

Because some vegetables grow faster than others, you’ll also want to stagger your plantings out rather than putting all your seeds in the ground at once.

 

Another key thing to consider is making sure those seeds get the right amount of water. A wooden chopstick or skewer is handy for gauging if the soil is too dry. If when you poke the chopstick in the ground, the top two inches are dry, you need to water it.

 

May is a wonderful month for gardening, and with so much natural beauty around Kyle, it’s a perfect outdoor hobby. If you’re looking for a home here, reach out to us to learn more about the master-planned Crosswinds community. 

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Kyle Texas Lifestyle

Local Patios to Enjoy this Spring

Have you been outside lately? The days are longer, the mornings are perfectly crisp, and the days are getting warmer. Although spring officially starts on March 20th, we’d say the season is in full swing — and this is prime patio weather. If you’re looking for a good patio to kick back and enjoy a bite or a refreshing drink in Kyle, consider checking out these local spots. 

 

Aviator Pizza: With an array of sandwiches, an impressive 50-beer draft selection, and specialty pizzas that are meant to be shared, it’s no surprise this pizzeria has multiple locations in the Hill Country. Head down to the Kyle location at 856 Kohlers Crossing and you’ll find several picnic tables under the pizzeria’s porch that are perfect for catching up with friends and enjoying some delicious pizza. 

 

The pizza joint’s owners have been making pizzas for over three decades, and use fresh ingredients, so you know whatever you order is going to taste great. 

 

Casa Garcia’s: A bowl of queso or chips and guac is pretty tasty wherever you eat it, but it seems to taste just a little bit better when enjoyed on a patio. Make your way to the Kyle location of this local chain at 5401 S. FM 1626 and grab a seat on the outdoor patio next time you have a craving for great Mexican food. 

 

The restaurant first opened its doors in 1999 and has become a staple in the area, serving up dishes like fajitas, chimichangas, enchiladas, and chicken mole. When paired with a margarita and the warm breeze of a spring day, outdoor dining doesn’t get much better. 

 

The Shady Llama: This spot might not be within the Kyle city limits, but if you’re looking for a unique bar where the locals might just nuzzle up to you, it’s worth the 20-minute drive to Wimberly. The outdoor beer and wine garden is a fantastic place to spend the afternoon with friends, and meet a few new friends of the four-legged variety (six llamas and two miniature donkeys call the bar home).

 

The bar offers a range of local craft brews on tap as well as several wines and non-alcoholic beverages, should you bring along the kiddos. Whether you choose to grab a seat at the outdoor bar, one of the patio tables, or by the fire pit, there isn’t a bad seat in the house when the sun starts to set over the Hill Country horizon. 

 

The Railhouse: Great food? Check. Cold drinks? Check. Live music? Check. The Railhouse is the sort of place where you’re bound to find a good time, no matter what night you stop by. The bar and music venue has a large outdoor space with picnic tables and plenty of room to get up and dance, or just sit back with a tasty drink and take in the scene. 

 

Something is happening nearly every night of the week, whether it be a band playing, a DJ, or a game of trivia. And with two food trucks on site, a delicious bite to eat is mere steps away from the patio area. 

 

Sometimes, the best place to enjoy patio weather though is right in your own backyard. The homes in the master-planned Crosswinds community were designed with comfortable living in mind and many feature spacious outdoor patios. Plus, as a resident of Crosswinds, you’ll have access to amenities for every season with walking trails, a community pool, parks, and picnic tables! Reach out to us to learn more and to start the journey to your dream home. 

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Lifestyle

Gifts for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and whether you’re in a 5-year relationship, happily flying solo but celebrating with friends, or looking to show a potential new love interest that they’re on your mind, finding a special gift can be a challenge. Of course, there isn’t one perfect Valentine’s Day gift – it all depends on the relationship and who you’re shopping for. 

 

From subscription boxes to local goods and Hill Country day trips, here are some ideas for the sweetheart in your life. 

 

Something Sweet

 

You really can’t go wrong with chocolate on February 14. It’s a classic gift and just about everybody loves a little something sweet now and then. Delysia Chocolatier in Austin offers specialty chocolates for all occasions with vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and nut-free options. Because everybody deserves to enjoy good chocolate.

 

Faith, Hope & Cupcakes is a Kyle bakery that’s sure to satisfy your sweetie’s sweet tooth with some seriously delicious cupcakes. There’s even the option of a Valentine’s DIY cupcake box, so you both can decorate and enjoy your treats together—a perfect date night in!

 

Something Beautiful

 

A floral bouquet might not be a new and revolutionary Valentine’s Day gift, but it’s a classic. Always has been, and always will be. The Kyle Flower Shop has a skilled floral design staff capable of creating the perfect arrangement for every occasion and event. Not surprisingly, this is one of the shop’s busiest times of the year and it offers a range of bouquets from classic roses to lilies, carnations, and everything in between. Looking for something a little more unique? The staff is happy to work on custom pieces that are sure to impress. 

 

Something Unique 

 

Subscription boxes are one of the fastest-growing sectors of retail with the market expected to hit $65 billion by 2027! What makes them so appealing is that there’s a box for just about every interest out there and who doesn’t like getting a mystery box of goodies in the mail?

 

Food boxes ranging from cheese to coffee, nuts, and even oysters are a popular favorite. There are also boxes for hobbies such as jigsaw puzzles, needlepoint, gardening, and fans of true crime novels. 

 

Something Adventurous (or Relaxing)

 

If you’re looking to create some new memories with your significant other, consider opting for a weekend getaway – or even just a day trip. Kyle residents are fortunate that we’re close to some pretty fantastic places that are less than a few hours away. 

Fredericksburg is a popular travel destination with several wineries, downtown boutique shopping, and historical attractions. And just a little over an hour’s drive from Kyle is Shiner – home of Shiner Beer! The pride and joy of this small Texas town, a visit, and a tour of the brewery are a must.

 

South of Kyle you’ll find New Braunfels. With its outdoor attractions, live music venues, and restaurants delivering local flavor, it’s easy to see why it’s a popular close-to-home weekend getaway. 

 

Sometimes the perfect Valentine’s Day is simply a romantic evening with someone special at home. If you’d like to learn more about finding a home in Kyle, contact the Crosswinds team today. 

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Family Fun Kyle Kyle Texas Lifestyle

Get Outside in Kyle, TX

Image from The City of Kyle - Local Government Facebook

Although winter has technically just begun, many parts of Texas are already feeling like spring with crisp mornings and warm afternoons. Whether you are looking for more ways to spend days outside or you have more free time on your schedule this time of year, whatever the case may be, here are just a few ways to get outside and discover (or rediscover) all that Kyle has going on.

 

County Line Polo Club – Did you know that Kyle has its polo club? That’s right, you can try your hand at the sport of British aristocrats without having to jump aboard a flight to England. The County Line Polo Club is a local polo club open to the public that specializes in teaching aspiring and skilled equestrians the sport of polo. The club’s instructors offer both individual classes as well as team training to individuals of all ages. The club even has matches for riders to show off their mallet-swinging skills. 

 

If you’re looking to try a new sport this year, you just found it. Giddy up!

 

Sports and Rec Leagues – Perhaps you prefer sports that don’t require you to climb aboard another animal… we get it. The Kyle Parks and Rec Department has options aimed at more traditional sports with winter and spring leagues. 

 

Adult sports leagues include roller hockey as well as kickball, which kicks off at the end of this month. If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, there’s also the adult spring fishing tournament happening in April – with a cash jackpot!

 

Kids aren’t left out of the fun as they have their youth fishing tournament, as well as leagues for basketball, swimming, and hockey in the winter and spring months. 

 

City Parks – Sometimes making the most of the great outdoors can be as simple as going for a walk. Two of our favorite places to take in some natural beauty are Lake Kyle and Mary Kyle Hartson City Park. 

 

Lake Kyle is a wonderful spot for a morning or evening walk and is a popular destination for fishing. Birding enthusiasts will also enjoy visiting this park, with herons, ducks, egrets, and other species of waterfowl calling the lake home. Starting in early spring, Lake Kyle is a great place to enjoy some beautiful wildflowers, including a large population of Bluebonnets, the Texas state flower. 

 

Mary Kyle Hartson City Park is a small but charming park and has been part of the city since the early 1900s. It’s a great place for enjoying your lunch break outside or killing some time with the kiddos. In 2020, the city made several improvements including a playground, picnic tables, a rain garden, and a 20-foot-wide promenade. 

 

Plum Creek Golf Course – Kyle is in close proximity to some of the best golfing in Texas and if you’re looking to hit the links in the new year, then you’ll want to check out Plum Creek Golf Course. The 18-hole public course is surrounded by the “natural beauty of Texas live oaks, limestone, rolling hills, and Texas wildflowers,” making each drive down the fairway all the more impressive. 

 

The course also offers private lessons, a pro shop, and bar and grill for guests to enjoy a meal or cocktail before tee time. 

 

There’s plenty more Kyle has to offer when it comes to outdoor recreation. If you’d like to learn more about finding a home in this wonderful city, contact the Crosswinds team today. 

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Family Fun Lifestyle

Add a Dog to your Family in 2023

 

If you’re looking to add a dog to your family in 2023, here are a few tips to make the process a bit smoother and ensure everybody starts off on the right foot (and paw). 

 

How to choose the right dog for your family & lifestyle

 

Choosing the right dog can make all the difference. Just like humans, dogs can have differing needs, personalities, and quirks. Before taking in a new pet, consider your lifestyle and what you value most in your life. Are you super active? Do you travel a lot? Do you have a yard? Do you have small children or care for an elderly parent? Can you afford to take on the financial responsibility of a dog? (Vet bills aren’t getting cheaper.)

 

These are all questions you should ask yourself before you head to the pet store to start picking out collars and chew toys. Some dogs need more care and attention than others, and to get the true life-enriching benefit of owning a dog, it’s key that you’re ready for a dog. 

 

Consider the Type of Dog

 

The American Kennel Club currently recognizes 190 dog breeds. Factor in unrecognized breeds like the popular Labradoodle and other mixed breeds, and that’s a lot of canines. Some dogs, like those of the working breed variety, need not just daily exercise but thrive best when they have a task to do. Small and toy breeds tend to be the opposite, and are much more adaptable to urban environments and apartment life. 

 

Have kids? Dogs can be especially fantastic companions and not only act as protectors but provide an opportunity for children to learn about kindness and responsibility. Other benefits of children owning a dog include higher self-esteem and even the possibility of developing an immunity against certain allergies. 

 

Local Pooches

 

Ready for the fun part? Consider these local organizations. 

 

PAWS Shelter of Central Texas – With locations in both Kyle and Dripping Springs, PAWS has been connecting people with pets in need of a home since 1986. In addition to providing adoption services for dogs, they also run a foster program. When you foster a dog you not only get the opportunity to see if you’re a good match with the dog, but you help the shelter free up needed kennel space, while giving a dog a sense of home to prepare them to meet their forever family.

 

Wimberley Adoption Group & Rescue (WAG) – Founded in 2009, this non-profit was developed to help abandoned dogs in Hays County find a home. If you’d like to help WAG succeed in their mission of finding a loving home for each pup under their care, you can contact them to set up a meet and greet on one of their adoption days. 

 

Austin Dog Rescue – Since 2007, the Austin Dog Rescue has been rescuing and finding homes for homeless dogs in Central Texas. There’s no physical shelter as the organization relies on volunteers to foster each of their residents until that lucky day when a dog finds its forever home. 

 

Speaking of forever homes, the Crosswinds community has a lot to offer pet owners, including walking trails to explore and a dog park for pups to run and play. If you’d like to learn more, reach out to us. 

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Lifestyle

Cycling in Austin

The wheels are in motion. Austin has its foot on the pedal and is on its way to becoming “America’s next great biking city.” As People for Bikes has noted, the city has poured its resources into expanding its biking pathways and the city’s landscape is becoming a better place for cyclists of all levels because of it. 

 

Whether you haven’t stepped on a bike since grade school or you’re ready to trade in your car for a $10,000 Cannondale, Austin (and the surrounding areas) may just be the best biking spot in the country. 

 

400 Miles of Bike Paths

 

Eight years ago, Austin announced an initiative to add a 400-mile biking network to help residents better navigate the city sans cars. While there were hiccups in the beginning, the city is currently more than halfway to completing that goal and 64% of residents can now access one of those bike paths from their homes. Once the remaining bike system is complete, that number will jump to 87% of residents. That means more people getting heart-healthy exercise and an alternative to jumping in their car to get from point A to B. 

 

No Bike, No Problem

 

Naturally, a biking network that stretches into nearly every corner of the city is going to lead to more people buying bikes. Not everyone, however, can afford to buy a bike or has the storage space for it in their home. Renting a bike through MetroBike is an ideal alternative. The city’s public bike-share system allows anyone to rent and start pedaling.

 

Users can access the bikes from 75 different bike stations scattered throughout the city. Various subscriptions are available, as well as student discounts, and bikes can be rented for as low as just a little over $1!

 

Biking in Kyle and Austin

 

Head outside Austin’s metro center just a bit and you’ll find an abundance of scenic biking trails that will make you forget all about the hustle and bustle of the city. The Violet Crown Trail will allow bikers to enjoy 30 miles of biking trails when complete, while the Southern Walnut Creek Trail takes bikers on a concrete pathway through over 7 miles of beautiful flatlands and gently rolling hills.

 

While biking to Austin might be a stretch for Kyle residents, Hays County is a fantastic area to get some cycling in. The Kyle Cycling Pedal Club is a Meetup group for cycling enthusiasts and Kyle Cyclery is the city’s premiere cycle shop. In addition to sales and repairs, the shop also offers mountain biking classes for those who are curious about the sport, as well as scheduled group rides. Hays County has a number of mountain biking trails that encompass Kyle, Buda, San Marcos, Wimberley, and Dripping Springs. If you’re looking for hills to pedal on, the Texas Hill Country has them!

 

If mountain biking isn’t your thing or you’d like to just warm up a bit first before hitting the dirt, consider a ride on one of the beautiful trails found within the Crosswinds community for our residents. Reach out to us to learn more about our trails and other amenities. 

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Lifestyle

Beekeeping in Hays County

 

Honey is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the benefit of bees. But these tiny pollinators are responsible for a variety of food products we enjoy such as blueberries, almonds, and tomatoes. 

 

Then there are the wildflowers. The Texas Hill Country is home to some of the most beautiful wildflower species on the planet, and bees play a HUGE role in this. Despite bees being crucial to our local and global ecosystems, all is not right in the world of bees and several factors ranging from habitat loss to pollution, disease, and invasive species (murder hornets, no thank you!) threaten our native bee populations. 

 

The good news is that Hays County residents can take action to help save the bees in several ways. 

 

Join the Hays County Beekeepers

 

Beekeeping can be an incredibly rewarding hobby and a pretty good way to ensure you’ll never have to buy honey from the grocery store ever again! The easiest way to get involved is to stop by one of the Hays County Beekeepers’ meetings. The group meets every third Tuesday of the month at Suds Monkey Brewing in Austin and has a Q&A session for beekeeping newbies from 6:30 to 7 PM. 

 

This beekeeping 101 session before the regular meeting gives curious newcomers a chance to ask about everything from how honey harvesting works to how to relocate swarms. 

 

Adding Pollinator-Friendly Plants to Your Yard

 

While Crosswinds isn’t zoned for agriculture and beekeeping, residents can still be a friend to bees. One of the best ways to do so is to plant flowering and pollinator-friendly plants in your yard. Bees are drawn to a wide variety of flowers, shrubs, and trees, and by planting even just a few of these in your Crosswinds home’s yard, you’ll be providing bees with a sanctuary and resource for food. 

 

Reduce Your Use of Harmful Pesticides

 

Now that you have your gardening gloves on and are ready to plant some bee-friendly plants, we need to talk about pesticides. Science has caught up with our use of pesticides and it’s not good for bees. Pesticides that fall in the sub-group of neonicotinoids can be incredibly harmful to bees, inhibiting their ability to reproduce and ultimately leading to smaller and smaller bee populations. 

 

If you’re going to use a pesticide in your garden, do a little research beforehand to ensure it doesn’t fall under the neonicotinoid grouping of pesticides. The bees will thank you!

 

Come Out for National Honey Bee Day

 

The Kyle Parks and Recreation Department is all about bees and will be honoring the food-producing insects as part of National Honey Bee Day on August 20th. 

 

The public is invited out to Mary Kyle Hartson Park from 10 AM until 2 PM to learn all about bees from local naturalists. The first 100 attendees will also get a free hanging flower basket. 

 

Now that you know all the buzz when it comes to beekeeping in Hays County, all that’s left to do is prep your yard to become a bee haven. 

 

If you’d like to find your dream home, complete with a dream yard then contact the Crosswinds team today. 

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Area Attractions Lifestyle

Kyle Day Trip: Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake is known as “the jewel” of Texas Hill Country and it truly is a gem with all that it offers, including some of the best water recreation activities in the area and a whole lot more. 

 

If you’ve never visited Canyon Lake, you owe it to yourself to schedule a day trip this summer (or even a long weekend) and check out all there is to do. 

 

Hit the Water

Developed as a reservoir back in the 1960s and fed by the Guadalupe River, Canyon Lake is one of the largest lakes in the area, spanning 8,000 surface acres of water and 80 miles of shoreline. All that shoreline means that there are plenty of ways to beat the heat and have some fun on the water. 

 

The lake has several designated swimming beaches that are open to the public from 9 AM to 7 PM during the summer. Another summer highlight that beats any waterpark lazy river is renting an inner tube and floating down the Guadalupe River. Local outfitter TubeHaus will provide your inner tube as well as shuttle you back to your car at the end of your float. 

 

Enjoying a relaxing day in a boat on the water is one of the best ways to see the lake with both boat and jet ski rentals available at Canyon Lake Marina. After you dock, be sure to check out the marina’s Baja BBQ Shack for its all-you-can-eat catfish on Fridays and a truly stunning sunset. 

 

Now, if you’re the more adventurous type and want something a little more daring, then strap on your fins because Canyon Lake is one of the best places in the area to scuba dive. While you probably won’t find pirate treasure, you will see a side of the lake many never experience. 

 

Hiking, Golfing, and so Much More

While the water itself is enough to draw thousands of visitors each summer, Canyon Lake offers a range of activities to be enjoyed throughout the year. 

 

Nature enthusiasts will want to check out Canyon Lake Gorge, a rather recent “geological wonder” that was created only 20 years ago when 34 inches of rain fell on the Guadalupe River and carved out the gorge. The result is a series of beautiful rock formations that have attracted both professional and novice geologists eager to study the uncovered layers of limestone. 

 

Other parks around Canyon Lake that are popular with both hikers and birding hobbyists include Overlook Park and Comal Park. 

 

Canyon Lake is also a popular destination for golfers, with Lakeside Golf Club offering an 18-hole course and pro shop. If the history of the prehistoric kind is more your speed, then be sure to check out The Heritage Museum of Texas Hill Country. The museum features dinosaur fossils and footprints discovered right here in Texas!

 

With so much to offer and less than an hour’s drive from Kyle, a day trip to Canyon Lake is a great summer highlight. If you’re interested in finding a home in Kyle, reach out to learn more about available homes at Crosswinds.

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