Land For Sale In San Antonio, Texas (TX)

Natural Bridge Caverns

Located just down the road in San Antonio is a little hidden wonder called Natural Bridge Caverns. If caverns and caves are your thing, then this is the one you want. Natural Bridge Caverns is located just 30 miles north of San Antonio, just a few miles west of IH-35. Take exit #175 to Natural Bridge Caverns Road/ FM 3009.

The cavern was discovered back in 1960 when a few college students were exploring the surrounding area. The cavern was actually formed by an underground river that moves slowly cutting through the limestone. Over time the limestone broke down and the cavern was formed. There are many passages through the cavern and it is a very beautiful and interesting place to visit.

The most popular tour is the "Discovery Tour." Visitors go about 180 feet below the ground in this awesome tour, which is about a half mile long. On the tour you will see many beautiful and wondrous things that formed millions of years ago and are still forming. You can take pictures, so be sure to take a camera.

Another popular tour at Natural Bridge Caverns is the "Illuminations Tour." On this tour, the staff uses lights to light up certain parts of the cavern. At one part of the tour, all lights are turned completely off and you are in total darkness, 180 feet under the earth.

One of the favorite spots on the tour is the mining company and rock shop. Here you get to pan for precious rocks and fossils, even arrowheads. The best part is you get to keep whatever it is you find! If you are not sure what kind of treasure you have found, the have charts available so you can see just what you found.

For the more adventurous spelunkers, you can take the "Adventure Tours," where you climb, rappel, hike and explore the cavern just like the explorers did when they found the cavern. All you have to rely on is the guides, ropes and gear. Plan for the tour to take about 3-4 hours, it is meant for the more serious cave goers.

When you are done plunging 160 feet into a dark cave, why not head to the Watch tower. It is a 50 foot tower that you can climb and use a zip line to get down. Plunging at 25 miles per hour back towards the earth, this is definitely a ride you will not forget.

Natural Bridge Caverns is a nice place for a one day trip. The cavern stays a cool 70 degrees year round, with relative humidity at 99%. Some of the other attractions hours depend upon Mother Nature, so you may want to call or visit their website before you head out.

There is something for the entire family to enjoy at Natural Bridge Caverns. If you really love the caverns, you can take a group there. The Natural Bridge caverns is interesting in that its a good place to have some fun and learn about the environment.

By: real estate articles

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Jill works with inside real estate. They have sites that cover the San Antonio real estate and Dallas real estate markets. They also have a San Antonio real estate blog that covers trends and statistics.

Marble Falls, Texas

The city was founded in 1887 by General Adam R. Johnson, and incorporated in May of 1907. Marble Falls is located 47 miles northwest of Austin and 85 miles north of San Antonio, so it is centrally located and accessible from two large metropolitan areas. Marble Falls is in the middle of the Highland Lakes chain, and after the construction of the dam which created Lake Marble Falls, the marble falls themselves were no longer visible, unless the lake levels were lowered by the Lower Colorado River Authority, which caused them to be visible in certain locations.

Marble Falls, frequently referred to as the Gateway to the Hill Country, was originally founded when Adam Rankin Johnson traveled down the Colorado from Fort Mason to see the "great falls", as they were called at the time, and obtained land grants with the intention of settling near the falls, until he discovered the certificates were worthless and settled instead in Burnet with his wife Josephine, in 1861. Johnson had intended to help build a great manufacturing community, powered by energy from the falls, but after settling with his wife in Burnet, joined the Confederate army, and was later blinded by a rifle ball in combat.

Johnson later was employed by the land office in Burnet for years, where his reputed excellent memory and his son’s help allowed him to overcome the limitations caused by his blindness and succeed in making land deals. In 1887, he finally purchased land in the Marble Falls area, and built a home for his family there. The home faced south, directly toward the majestic falls, and his family members gave him daily reports of their beauty so he could visualize them as he remembered them.

The community later thrived and became a cotton center, known as "The Blindman’s Town", and Johnson’s home, named Liberty Hall, was later purchased by Orphelia "Birdie" Harwood and her husband George, in the early 1900s, and was later named Harwood house, but is still referred to as Liberty Hall or Liberty House by some. The house was bought in 1946 by Bill and Eunice Hall, and their son, and is now a commercial building, but prior to their purchase of the home, "Birdie", as Mrs. Harwood was called, was elected mayor of the community, and while teaching at the local school, loaned supplies to one of her students, Lyndon Baines Johnson, who later went on the fame as a political force in Texas and later the president of the United States. Johnson along with his family, is one of the most notable early residents of Marble Falls.

In 1970, home mail service began in Marble Falls, and Horseshoe Bay, a beautiful lakeside resort replete with a golf course and various water sports, restaurants, and other facilities and activities, was built on the shores of the lake. Lake Marble Falls itself was created in the forties by the construction of Buchanan Dam, along with Starke and Wirtz Dams, and the other Highland Lakes were created around the same time, by damming the waters of the Colorado River. Lake LBJ is also very close to the city of Marble Falls, and two of the dams used to partially create Lake Marble Falls were rebuilt in the year 2000. Earlier, in 1980, a new high school was built to improve the academic performance of the area students, and ten years later, the internet was introduced in Marble Falls, allowing even more access to reference materials for the residents of the growing community.

Today, Marble Falls is an established community. The yearly Lakefest in August draws throngs of visitors, as do various attractions including numerous restaurants, a movie theater, many R.V. parks, a public golf course called Meadowlakes, and a plethora of gift shops, antique stores, bed and breakfast inns, and a variety of unique local attractions. Marble Falls has a large community of retirees, as well as residents who spend their winters in the town, due to its mild climate. Some of the popular local restaurants include the Blue Bonnet Cafe and Russo’s Texitally Cafe, and Rockhopper’s Family Fun Center offers miniature golf and other games and sports.

If peaceful, rural living, as well as scenic beauty and numerous amenities are your cup of tea, come to Marble Falls and experience the best Texas has to offer!

By: Dane Smith

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Ki is a real estate agent working in the Austin Texas real estate market. He provides information on his site about Marble Falls real estate along with a search of the Austin MLS.

Johnson City, Texas

Johnson City is a Texas Hill Country town 48 miles west of Austin and 60 miles north of San Antonio. Johnson City is 25 miles south of the Highland Lakes community of Marble Falls and 30 miles east of Fredericksburg, so Johnson City is very centrally located and easily accessible from two large metropolitan areas, as well as numerous Hill Country resort destinations.

Johnson City was established on the site of the Johnson Ranch on Town Creek, and in 1879, three sites were considered for settling a community on the shores of the Pedernales River, one being the site of the Johnson Ranch. The site submitted by James Polk Johnson, a 320 acre plot of land owned by the Johnson Family, was chosen at the gathering and accepted by a vote of the first settlers during a celebration and meal held alongside the creek. James Polk Johnson was a nephew of Sam Ealy Johnson and Tom Johnson, both of whom had originally been cattlemen who drove herds on the Chisholm Trail until it became unprofitable, and Sam Ealy Johnson was Lyndon Baines Johnson’s grandfather as well.

James Polk Johnson was a natural organizer, and after changing from a ranching career to a career in business, his organizational talents served him and the community well. James Polk Johnson died prematurely at the age of forty in 1885, but prior to his death, he built a gristmill on the creek as well as a hotel, named the Pearl Hotel, and another project was under construction at the time of his demise which later became the Johnson City Bank.

There were a substantial number of farmers in the early days of Johnson City, most of which raised corn and cotton, and the mill continued operation until the 1970s, producing cotton after being bought by George Croft after James Polk Johnson’s death.

The population of Johnson City during the census of 2000 was just over 1990, and the city is the county seat of Blanco County. There are many schools, libraries, museums, and other attractions in Johnson City today, including the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park and the Benini Foundation Galleries and Sculpture Ranch. In addition, there is a newly remodeled historical museum called the Captain Perry Texas Ranger Museum which was just reopened after extensive renovations. There is also an exotic animal zoo and refuge a few miles north of Johnson City on Highway 281, and the establishment on 137 wooded acres of land which include educational facilities, replete with lakes, hiking trails, and creeks, offers various school programs, petting zoos, guided tours, and luxury safari-style accommodations for visitors.

Pedernales Falls State Park with its 5,212 acres of woodlands, waterfalls, campsites, shorelines and water sports opportunities is also very accessible, and is just a few miles east of the city, as well as Reimer’s Ranch, a pristine nature preserve on the shores of the Pedernales, which offers 2,427 acres of recreational facilities and parklands, and is one of the largest nature preserves in Texas.

Some of the accommodations for visitors to the town include Chantilly Lace Bed and Breakfast and Country Cabins Bed and Breakfast, and a few notable restaurants and bars include the Friendly Bar Bistro and the Armadillo Icehouse, as well as the El Rancho Mexican Restaurant, among others.

Johnson City is centrally located and offers so many scenic recreational as well as historic attractions that it is a must-see for visitors to central Texas and the Hill Country, and considering its proximity to Austin, it is well worth the drive, so be sure to visit this jewel of central Texas when planning a day trip to the Hill Country!

By: Dane Smith

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Escapeso Realty is a group of central Texas realtors. Their site has a search for Austin homes along with general statistics on the Austin real estate market. Their site also provides information on current mortgage rates.

Central Texas Profiles : Wimberley, Texas

Just north of San Marcos, on R.M. 12 sits the beautiful picturesque little village of Wimberley, Texas. With a population just over 5,000 this little village is the perfect spot to retire or visit.

Wimberley is an old town, established in the 1800’s and has lots of interesting history. Wimberley is also known as a resort village, with many bed and breakfast cottages over looking the beautiful hill country.

One of the most popular spots to visit in Wimberley is Pioneer Town. A century ago this little town was booming with business. It was truly a wild west little town, complete with gun fights, saloons. The only way out of town back then was either on horseback or the railroad.

Not much has changed since the 1800’s; visitors can still visit the little town and experience how the old cowboys lived way back then. The streets are lined with old buildings, complete with hitching posts. Visitors can experience the old west. The General Store Museum is a popular spot; visitors can see items used by the old settlers.

Pioneer Town also has an old print shop where visitors can stop in and have a wanted poster printed with their name on it. It is truly a unique town, and worth visiting.

Pioneer Town also has what is known as a "Bottle House." It was designed after buildings that were known to exist in the old west. These buildings were made out of old beer and champagne bottles from the local saloons. Pioneer Town’s version uses old soft drink bottles instead; almost 10,000! Most of the bottles are a beautiful emerald color, and is a spectacular site to see when it is all lit up at night! This awesome building is also the only "bottle house" in the nation!

Pioneer Town is only open on the weekends until the summer months, when it really gets booming! The best way to see this beautiful little town is by the Pioneer and Pacific Railroad. This narrow railway winds along one mile of the Wimberley Valley. For the "real" cowboys, you can arrange a trail ride and hop onto a horse and experience it like they did over a century ago.

If Pioneer Town sounds like a place you would like to visit, you can contact the Pioneer Town 7A Resort at 512-847-2517.

Another place to visit in Wimberley is the Wimberley Lavender Farm.
Located between Wimberley and Blanco on FM 2325 on a hilltop, this farm is something you don’t want to pass up.

The lavender blooms between May and August, and you can visit and cut your own lavender. They are only open during the blooming season, beginning in May; however, they take orders for soap, candles and lotion. You can even buy your own 4 inch lavender plant to take home for planting on April 1st.

The Lavender Farm is a beautiful place to plan weddings and other special occasions. Make sure you add Wimberley to your "To Do" list!

By: Dane Smith

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Ki works, and lives, in Austin, Texas. He maintains a website to search Austin Texas real estate. The site offers free and exhaustive information on Austin homes along with information about Wimberley real estate.

Central Texas Profiles : San Marcos, Texas

San Marcos is known as the "gateway to the hill country." It is a beautiful community that has a lot to offer its visitors as well as its residents. Located on Interstate 35 just about an hour south of Austin, San Marcos is easily accessed.

San Marcos is the home of Texas State University, which was formally know as Southwest Texas State University. The university has grown from 303 students in 1903 to a whopping 29,105 students in 2008.

Higher education is not the only thing San Marcos has to offer. The city is also known for the outlet mall. Shoppers can visit Prime Outlets. A shopping destination that has been named the 3rd most visited tourist attraction in Texas and the outlets also ranked as the 3rd best place to shop in the world, and it is all right here, in San Marcos, Texas! If you would like to visit the Prime Outlets, they are located at 3939 IH-35 South # 900. You can call them at 512-396-2200 for more information.

Just down the road at 4015 IH-35 South, is another hot spot for shopping. Tanger Outlets Center is another hot spot for shoppers. They have a variety of outlets stores available for shoppers as well. For more information give them a call at 512-396-7446.

San Marcos isn’t just about shopping; they also have Aquarena Springs, home of the famous glass bottom boats! You can take a ride on the glass bottom boats and see the second largest spring system in Texas. They have tours available for individuals as well as groups. If you need more information on the Aquarena center, you can call them at 512-245-7540.

San Marcos has much more to offer, such as the San Marcos River! It is not just any river, this one is meant for recreation and at a constant 72 degrees, the river is appealing any time of the year! The most popular thing to do is tubing. It is a safe and friendly environment with beautiful surroundings. For information on tubing the San Marcos River, call them at 512-396-5466.

San Marcos is not only a great place to visit, but is a wonderful place to live, with a population just over 50,000, the city has many amenities for its residents. Nestled half way between Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos is the county seat for Hays County, and has a strong economy. For residents who travel, San Marcos has San Marcos Municipal Airport. Austin- Bergstrom International Airport is only 30 miles north and San Antonio National Airport is 45 miles south, giving residents and visitors easy access for busy schedules.

Next time you are heading towards San Marcos, take the time to visit some of the natural wonders of the city, or visit the outlet malls. San Marcos is a very inviting city with lots to offer. Be sure to take the time to visit the historical district as well.

For more information on San Marcos, contact the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce at 512-393-5900.

By: Dane Smith

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Ki works in Central Austin. His website distributes free information on Austin real estate to potential buyers. It also has a search of the Austin MLS along with statistics on San Marcos real estate.

Realtor board makes ’shocking’ announcement : Newstreamz San Marcos

Texas REALTORS® have launched a public awareness campaign to share facts like these.

Central Texas Profiles: Texas Caverns

Cascade Caverns is the only cavern in Texas that has a 100 foot underground waterfall, and it is in our own back yard! Located in the hill country, in a little town named Boerne, take exit #543 off of Interstate Highway 10 to Cascade Caverns Road, just minutes from San Antonio.

This cavern is an amazing place to visit. The cavern is about 140 feet deep and a half mile long. On the amazing hour long tour visitors will see amazing rooms, rock formations, and glistening water dropping from the ceiling of the cave. The cave even has a rain forest!

The caverns are open daily and the temperature in the cavern is a cool 68 degrees year round! The cavern is a part of a 105 acre park full of wildlife and beautiful sites. The park is equipped with bar-b-que pits and tables. Bring the family and make a day out of it.

You can reach the cavern by calling them a 830-755-8080 for more information.

Long Horn Cavern State Park

Located in Burnet Texas, this cavern is an awesome site and a beautiful place to visit. Long Horn cavern is one of the few caverns that were formed by rivers. There are tours available daily for the cavern. The tour takes visitors into the caves to see all the wonders that the river carved out. There are various rocks and other strange formations to see.

There are also special tours available and are by reservations only, and are recommended for the serious spelunkers only. There are requirements for this tour. You can contact them at 512-756-4680 for more information and hours and rates.

The Caverns of Sonora

This cavern is a little further away from Austin, but is definitely worth the drive. The caverns are located in Sonora, which is located on Interstate 10, about half way between San Antonio and Big Bend National Park.

There are tours available as well as specialized tours for the more adventurous cave goers.

They also have underground classroom tours, where visitors get to see first hand how to dig for fossils and other interesting topics.

Visitors can also pan for gems such as fossils, emeralds, and the best part is that each panning bag is guaranteed to have some type of specimens inside, you can’t lose!

For more information on the caverns and for rates and availability on the tours, give them a call at 325-387-3105.

Texas is filled with some of the most spectacular caves and caverns. As summer approaches and the temperatures begin to soar, we want to find some sort of vacation spot that is cool and fun. The caves and caverns of Texas could be the next vacation you and your family take. There is always something to discover and see. There have been approximately 130 caves discovered in this area, and possibly many more that have not been discovered.

By: Dane Smith

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Ki lives, and works, in Austin, Texas. His site provides potential homebuyers a free search of the Austin MLS. He also provides detailed information about Austin real estate and a mortgage rates chart.

Central Texas Profiles : Marble Falls, Texas

Located just 47 miles northwest of Austin, Marble Falls is in the middle of the Highland Lakes area, the largest chain of lakes in Texas which are Lake Marble Falls, Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, Lake Buchanan and Lake Travis. With a population of 7,200 it is a beautiful little town.

Surrounded by rolling hills and lakes, Marble Falls is the perfect place to work, live and play. Visitors and residents should not have problems with finding something to do in this small community.

Downtown Marble Falls has a six block area that has been restored for shopping. There are antique shops, restaurants and a relaxing walk near Lake Marble Falls.

Visitors can also take a "Vanishing Cruise." It is a cruise on the Colorado River, above Lake Buchanan. On the cruise visitors can see beautiful Bald Eagles in their winter homes. It is an awesome site and something the entire family can enjoy.

For those who enjoy the hill country and Texas wines, take a tour of the several wineries in the area. They include Fall Creek Vineyards, Flat Creek Vineyards, Spicewood Vineyards and many others. On the tours visitors can sample the wine and see the beautiful landscape. The vineyards here easily rival any Napa Valley wine trail.

For the golf lovers, Marble Falls has that covered too! There are several golf courses in the area which include Horseshoe Bay Resorts’ Applerock, Caprock and Slickrock. This is just a few.

Marble Falls also hosts the "Lakefest Drag Boat Races." The races take place on the second weekend every August on Lake Marble Falls. It is a National Championship race, and brings in fast boats, drag boat racers and excitement. This event is something to see, and is very exciting.

Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation has worked hard putting the community on the map, starting with the "Sculpture on Main." This is a public art program that exhibits outdoor three-dimensional art work that is placed in highly visible places in the community.

Another place to visit in Marble Falls is the Hill Country Community Theatre. This theatre is nationally recognized and has a year round session for adults and children, which include comedies, drama and musicals. It is a wonderful place to visit and has been a great asset to the community.

Another theatre in Marble Falls is The Uptown Marble Theatre. This theatre is located on Main Street in the downtown historic district. It is a non-profit organization that promotes art and entertainment to the community. They have live music of all genres, comedy and drama. It is a unique experience and is worth visiting.

The natural beauty of Marble Falls is its location. In the middle of beautiful lakes and rolling hills, this community is ideal for visitors, tourists, retirees and second homes and well as vacation homes. There is plenty to do and see in this community.

If you would like more information on Marble Falls, contact the Chamber of Commerce.

By: Dane Smith

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Ki works, and lives, in Central Austin. He maintains a website on available Austin homes. Future homeowners can search available Austin real estate and Marble Falls real estate.

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Real Estate In The Texas Hill Country

WELCOME to the heartland of Texas Highland Lakes and surrounding area. The new hotspot for choice equity in this southern heartland of welcoming and hospitable Texas.

When and if you are looking for a General Overview of the Texas Hill Country and Its Real Estate Market, you have come to the right place. For all aspects and considerations of and for Texas Hill Country, Real Estate, trend reports can only tell you that much. There is so much more to this competitive and highly dynamic, evolving market and consumer trends, demands and preferences than meets the eye, at first glance any way.

Real Estate in the Texas Hill country is not that much different for elsewhere in the world, expect that it is a newly discovered paradise that everyone wants in on! It’s rediscovered natural beauty, choice residential living, within easy reach of approximately 51 surrounding cities and urban areas place it high on the checklist, wish-list and prospective ’sites’ for residential (and commercial) relocation, investment and realty markets with something more and different to offer. Sellers and buyers, investors all alike are flocking there in droves to take advantage and tap into the market offerings, fueling the fires so to speak.

There is lots of economic development in the area that will continue to contribute to its growth and expansion. But you might rightfully ask and enquire as to why people would want to live or move (t)here?

With Austin and San Antonio within easy reach, the commutable distances make it a popular choice. Not having to sacrifice quality and pace of living for urban-style comforts and amenities that have to be sacrificed, seem to bring lots of families and business professionals into the area. It is centralized, rolling, rugged with natural beauty, appeal and desirability, making it a great place to live, work and raise a family. The hilly terrain, lustrous water expanses, connection of Highland Texas Lakes, rivers and streams all invite and welcome newcomers and locals alike to rest on its shores and linger in its presence. Very few know of its emergence as the Texas heartland wine industry, with lots to offer residents and property investors, visitors, retirees and passer-through alike! It is infused with culture and diversity. There are lots of integrated influences at play in this area, affecting the market dynamic, including Spanish and Central European (German, Swiss, Austrian, Alsatian and Czech) influences. These are quite visible in the vibrant resort-type residential living, water-side life-style, good food, beer, architecture, and music, makings for the perfect setting to raise a family, settle, retire, vacation, rest and linger, live and work!

It spans twenty-five counties, and with its humid and semiarid climates appeals to many. Park-like and retreat-feel abound and invites you to in, only to find yourself hesitant to leave and depart, wanting to settle and put roots down. You do not have to look very far, not much further than the local Building Industry Association of the Highland Lakes, the Hill Country EDC Real Estate Committee, the local chambers of commerce and various city websites and others stakeholders/parties virtual presence and informational sources, to realize that the real estate market in the Texas Hill Country, Central Texas is alive, vibrant, expanding and growing.

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MarbleFallsRe.com is a regional firm focused on properties in the Marble Falls, Tx Real Estate with a special interest in Lake LBJ Real Estate.

Fly in to the Texas Hill Country

While you enjoy the modern conveniences, you will constantly be reminded of the hotel’s ‘40’s.