Ok, call me naïve, but I was kinda expecting more dirt roads and cows in Austin. I know it’s a large city with a world-famous music scene and diverse culture..but it is in Texas. Turns out, Austin is quite scenic. It’s actually Gorgeous here!
In fact, just outside the city you can find large rolling hills, natural springs and even… WATERFALLS!!
Yep, there are waterfalls in Texas! Who knew?!
So, today we get to go see one! It’s at Hamilton Pool just outside of Austin. Now, this is one CitySecret the locals really like to keep to themselves. It’s not even listed on Austin city’s tourism website. Cool. Our local connections are really getting us the goods!
I'm REALLY excited because I’ve actually never been to a waterfall before. I’ve always dreamt of this day --- I just figured it’d be on a tropical island. Oh Texas, I love you already! Yee haw!
When we get there, we park in the public lot at the bottom of the hill and told to follow the path up to Hamilton Pool.
HAMILTON POOL TIP#1: Don't wear your cute 5" platforms. The hike to the falls is uphill and rocky. (Not too steep, but best to wear tennis shoes or flat sandals.)
Anyway, we make it to the Pool and it’s this beautiful cove-like beach with giant semi-circle of a cliff shading parts of the water. Very cool.
People are lounging on the beach, socializing in the water and climbing rocks under the waterfall. Aaah, paradise!
Unfortunately, the giant waterfall we saw in the pictures is reduced to a light trickling you can barely see on this hot summer day. Guess the scorching heat that’s dehydrating my body did the same to the poor waterfall. Oh well! It’s still gorgeous – let’s cool off!
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In fact, just outside the city you can find large rolling hills, natural springs and even… WATERFALLS!!
Yep, there are waterfalls in Texas! Who knew?!
So, today we get to go see one! It’s at Hamilton Pool just outside of Austin. Now, this is one CitySecret the locals really like to keep to themselves. It’s not even listed on Austin city’s tourism website. Cool. Our local connections are really getting us the goods!
I'm REALLY excited because I’ve actually never been to a waterfall before. I’ve always dreamt of this day --- I just figured it’d be on a tropical island. Oh Texas, I love you already! Yee haw!
When we get there, we park in the public lot at the bottom of the hill and told to follow the path up to Hamilton Pool.
HAMILTON POOL TIP#1: Don't wear your cute 5" platforms. The hike to the falls is uphill and rocky. (Not too steep, but best to wear tennis shoes or flat sandals.)
Anyway, we make it to the Pool and it’s this beautiful cove-like beach with giant semi-circle of a cliff shading parts of the water. Very cool.
People are lounging on the beach, socializing in the water and climbing rocks under the waterfall. Aaah, paradise!
Unfortunately, the giant waterfall we saw in the pictures is reduced to a light trickling you can barely see on this hot summer day. Guess the scorching heat that’s dehydrating my body did the same to the poor waterfall. Oh well! It’s still gorgeous – let’s cool off!
Picture Perfect!
Hamilton Pool Travel Tips: Entrance is only $10 per car so
load up your friends, pack your picnics and your favorite drinks because you’re
gonna want to spend all day at this hidden oasis.
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Time to Get Some of 'Dat Sugar!
After all the sun and swimming, we’ve worked up quite an
appetite. Time to get our grub on -and what better way than to chow down on
some good ‘ol Texas BBQ. Yum!
Today, we’re gonna check out the Sugar Shack, a local BBQ
joint in Austin known for it’s slow-smoked “sammiches.” (Not sandwiches)
We arrive at the Sugar Shack, and it actually is a shack –
on wheels! Interesting. I’m guessing it’s no bigger than 10 feet long by 5 ft
wide?! Anyway, who cares! It smells DELISH!! Can’t wait to try it... But first, I
gotta make it!
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| www.sugarshackbbq.com |
I meet owner Mark Avalos, who invites me to step into the
shack and glove up. There’s a GIANT smoker by the back door, almost as big as
the shack itself. Now, it’s already 100 degrees outside. Throw in the giant
smoker and squeeze myself, the owner, Matt and Todd (the cameraman) in the 5 ft
wide shack and things start to get sticky. Looks like I’m finally getting that
steam/sauna I’ve been asking for!
Mark takes me through the process of making these famous bbq
delights. At this point, I’m a hot mess, and so are these sammiches – but in such
a good way! I’m starting to see why this
place draws such a crowd. We used different kinds of bbq sauces (including a
white one!) fresh pulled pork, brisket,
chicken breast, - Some of these babies are loaded with more than 4 different
meats, with jalapenos, queso, the works!
Yes, yes, and YES!
We finish preparing the goods and it’s finally time to grub!
Each “sammich” seems to be about the size of my head, so Cristina,
Todd, Matt, Jena and I decide to share. We grab our forks and dig in to
barbecue heaven!
The sammiches are the most amazing, disgustingly beautiful
things I have ever seen. – and the taste is completely mind-blowing. One bite
of the F-Bomb and your tastebuds will never be the same.
If you’re in Austin – Get ‘Dat Sugar. You’re Welcome.
** SUGAR SHACK TRAVELER’S TIP: If you plan on checking it out, you better get
here early. The Shack opens at 11am and crowds line up to get a taste of their
famous bbq before it’s gone! Literally! Here at the Sugar Shack, they sell out
every single day… and when the food runs out, the shack is closed!
