Weekend Adventure | Down Home Traveler

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to meet up with a few friends (and some new friends) down on Lake Austin. It was a weekend of boating, camping and lots of fun!

Lake-Austin, Camping, Texas, Texas-Lakes, Boating

We stayed at Emma Long Metropolitan Park. First off, driving to the park is an adventure in itself. You’ll be driving along the top of the hills overlooking Lake Austin. Gorgeous, huge, huge homes, that you’ll later be gawking at from the lake! Be careful, the road is only two lanes and very windy.

One site is between the white posts. To get a grasp of the length – it’s about double the lawn space to the road.

What a bargain! $10 goes a long way! It will get you a day pass for an entire car load into the park and it will also get you a camping site for an evening. This isn’t your typical camping site, they’re huge. We fit three tents and could’ve fit three more. There was a grill, campfire spot and shade from a huge tree all within walking distance to the restrooms / showers. The only catch is the restrooms are only open from about 8am to 9:30pm, otherwise you have to use the big blue port-o-potties we all love so much!

Nothing says a great weekend like a ridiculous group selfie. If only cell phones had timers or we had longer arms!

The overall park was great! Sandy beaches, plenty of room, parking for your boats, lots of trees and places to grill. There’s also a camping area for RV’s, if tents are not for you! The area available is great!

For more information and details on what Emma Long Metropolitan Park has to offer:
Emma Long Metropolitan Park
1706 City Park Rd, Austin, TX 78730
512-346-1831

Tucked away in the beautiful Texas Hill Country lies the state’s own wild safari. A place where you can take a guided tour or a self guided drive along nine and a half miles over thousands of acres and become lost in an exotic world watching animals interact. This is a great weekend day trip to take with your kids or even just adults. Food is available to purchase as you enter the park so you and your passengers can feed these animals right from the palm of your hand. You’ll soon reconnect with your childhood self. I know I did!

Over the weekend, a college friend of Heather and I was in town and we got together for some fun. It turned into a great weekend girls day! Here’s a little glimpse of our time at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center!

It’s no joke when these friendly creatures come up to your car looking for food. It’s absolutely adorable though, except for the birds. I’m not a fan of birds. Plus, there were so many babies animals on the property, how could you not fall in love?! (Keep in mind, you are never allowed to leave your car during the drive.)

Others however were kept within gated areas. This included the rhino’s and cheetah’s but we were still able to catch a glimpse. These rhino’s are spectacular and absolutely beautiful. Their size is astounding. It’s a modern day dinosaur that we need to help protect from extinction!

During our drive, I caught a glimpse of what was up ahead and could barely contain my excitement but first we had to get to that part of the tour. Oh, my patience! In the meantime, even when we were going through a few areas where we didn’t see any animals, the views were so beautiful. I think we forgot we were in Texas!

Above is a picture of the view from the “rest” area aka pit stop half way through the tour. There’s a small cafe, a petting zoo and rest rooms. Keep in mind, the entire drive is 9.5 miles however give yourself 3 hours minimum to make your way through the area. This stop area is quite convenient, especially if you have children.

Photo taken by Heather, Terrell Family Fun

My absolute FAVORITE part of the day were the giraffe’s. Oh – how can you not love them?! They’re amazingly tall (I know nothing about that), they’re awkward when trying to lay down (I’m awkward all the time) and they’re gorgeous (which, I mean come on now)! haha

Sadly, all good things must come to an end and we made our way out of the park. Not without seeing a few more visitors. This little fella was the cutuest thing ever, so kind when eating from our hands I just wanted to snuggle with him. The zebra on the other hand, don’t feed with your hands. Their teeth are amazingly powerful and if they get ahold of it, you’ll turn into Captain Hook!