Let me take a little break from describing the great swimming holes around and in Austin, TX to talk about an interesting story that happened in Sweden. In Sweden, like many countries, it is not allowed for Swedish women to be topless at swimming pools.
In protest, a group of women showed up at swimming pools topless until they were ultimately removed. The interesting thing is that, in Sweden, women can be topless at the beaches, just not at the swimming pools.
This blog is not the place for such debates. I thought I would bring it up to the readers so they can form their own opinions.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Austin Swimming Hole - Deep Eddy (the History)
One of the most celebrated swimming holes in Austin has to be Deep Eddy's pool. It has a very rich history. So rich, in fact, that I am spending this post as a general history lesson. More relevant commentary on the pool itself will come in future posts.
The History of Deep Eddy Pool
Deep Eddy started as a swimming hole in the Rio Colorado that flows through the center of Austin. Cold springs arose from the banks of the river and people swam there. A large boulder was there that formed an eddy. In 1915, A.J. Eilers, Sr. purchased the land surrounding the swimming hole and built the pool with concrete. The pool played as the centerpiece of a resort, the Deep Eddy Bathing Beach, which had camping, cabins, and concessions. One popular attraction was Lorena's Diving Horse. Historic photographs showed a ramp led to a 50 foot tall diving platform over the pool's deep end from which the horse and rider would dive. Other features included a zip line across the pool and a tall slide, while other attractions included a diving baby and a Ferris wheel.
Deep Eddy Bathing Beach in the 1920s.
In 1935, the City of Austin bought the property for $10K. Two weeks later, a massive flood on the Rio Colorado destroyed the bathhouse and filled the pool with debris and mud. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) rebuilt the bathhouse and the pool opened as a public park in 07/1936.
The History of Deep Eddy Pool
Deep Eddy started as a swimming hole in the Rio Colorado that flows through the center of Austin. Cold springs arose from the banks of the river and people swam there. A large boulder was there that formed an eddy. In 1915, A.J. Eilers, Sr. purchased the land surrounding the swimming hole and built the pool with concrete. The pool played as the centerpiece of a resort, the Deep Eddy Bathing Beach, which had camping, cabins, and concessions. One popular attraction was Lorena's Diving Horse. Historic photographs showed a ramp led to a 50 foot tall diving platform over the pool's deep end from which the horse and rider would dive. Other features included a zip line across the pool and a tall slide, while other attractions included a diving baby and a Ferris wheel.
Deep Eddy Bathing Beach in the 1920s.
In 1935, the City of Austin bought the property for $10K. Two weeks later, a massive flood on the Rio Colorado destroyed the bathhouse and filled the pool with debris and mud. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) rebuilt the bathhouse and the pool opened as a public park in 07/1936.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Austin Swimming Holes - Krause Springs
Krause Springs is a great swimming hole located outside of Austin and is a well-known camping & swimming site located in the beautiful Hill Country of Texas. It is located in Spicewood, Texas about 30 miles west of Austin. The area encompasses 115 acres.
Krause Springs has many natural sites to see in addition to the great swimming. There are actually 32 springs at Krause Springs, one of which is a natural pool that flows into Lake Travis. It's a cool and refreshing experience to swim in the Springs during the blisteringly hot summers of Texas! If, on the other hand, camping is more your style, there is primitive tent camping along with 24 Recreational Vehicle sites equipped with water and electricity.
Krause Springs has many natural sites to see in addition to the great swimming. There are actually 32 springs at Krause Springs, one of which is a natural pool that flows into Lake Travis. It's a cool and refreshing experience to swim in the Springs during the blisteringly hot summers of Texas! If, on the other hand, camping is more your style, there is primitive tent camping along with 24 Recreational Vehicle sites equipped with water and electricity.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Austin Swimming Hole - Steiner Ranch Pools
This swimming hole is really a collection of 3 pools. There is 1 pool dedicated for laps and 2 pools targeted to families. Now these pools can get a little crazy in the summer time because Steiner Ranch is a community of family-oriented, well, families. The pools, though, are spectacular. They are always taken care of, clean, and best of all, have security gates tied to them so only residents can go for a swim.
Of course that means that you would need to know one of the residents in order to use them, but it's definitely worth it.
As you can tell from the last post, a good pool is not just about the water, but about the surroundings as well. There are no real good Austin Mexican Restaurants, but there is good Thai food and a deli in the main center of Steiner Ranch.
Steiner Ranch is located just west of RM 2222 on FM 620 heading towards Lakeway. You'll see the flags to the entrance and you can head in turning left.
It's a great community and the swimming is just the icing on the cake.
Of course that means that you would need to know one of the residents in order to use them, but it's definitely worth it.
As you can tell from the last post, a good pool is not just about the water, but about the surroundings as well. There are no real good Austin Mexican Restaurants, but there is good Thai food and a deli in the main center of Steiner Ranch.
Steiner Ranch is located just west of RM 2222 on FM 620 heading towards Lakeway. You'll see the flags to the entrance and you can head in turning left.
It's a great community and the swimming is just the icing on the cake.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Austin Swimming Hole - Barton Springs
The first Austin Swimming Hole on my list has to be Barton Springs. It is a natural swimming hole and stays in the 50s all year round. Since it is not man-made, there is algae at the bottom of the pool so be careful.
What makes this swimming hole extra special is its location. It's located in central-ish Austin and it's surrounded by some great Mexican Restaurants. Also, since it is such an attraction, some very beautiful people come here so the people watching is fantastic.
Since I grew up in Austin and went to school in the area, I came to this particular swimming hole a great deal. I brought many a girl to this spot so it holds a special place in my heart. When I was younger, it didn't cost much to come here, but now it'll cost about $5.
This is also the most popular swimming hole to lifeguard. This is because it pays the most. It's also one of the most difficult as well. That's because once you jump in, the reflections are such that it's hard to see the swimmers.
All-in-all a great hole. Not sure it's the best. That remains to be seen.
What makes this swimming hole extra special is its location. It's located in central-ish Austin and it's surrounded by some great Mexican Restaurants. Also, since it is such an attraction, some very beautiful people come here so the people watching is fantastic.
Since I grew up in Austin and went to school in the area, I came to this particular swimming hole a great deal. I brought many a girl to this spot so it holds a special place in my heart. When I was younger, it didn't cost much to come here, but now it'll cost about $5.
This is also the most popular swimming hole to lifeguard. This is because it pays the most. It's also one of the most difficult as well. That's because once you jump in, the reflections are such that it's hard to see the swimmers.
All-in-all a great hole. Not sure it's the best. That remains to be seen.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Austin Swimming Holes Starts
Austin has some of the best swimming holes that Texas has to offer. There's nothing better on a hot summer day than to find a place with 50 degree water to jump in. This blog will discuss all sorts of places to go and the surrounding areas that you can partake.
Even though it is winter, Austin's swimming holes are still the best in the state and we will talk about all of them here.
Even though it is winter, Austin's swimming holes are still the best in the state and we will talk about all of them here.
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