Ki Gray - Austin Real Estate

This is the time of year when Austin's residents head down to Auditorium Shores for a full, Texan Cowboy Breakfast with all the fixings, the prelude to the Star of Texas Rodeo. Every spring, during the first weekend of March, many Austinites head to the shores of Lady Bird Lake to get a belly full of biscuits and gravy, bacon and sausage, eggs, and various other kinds of grub, including grits and hash browns, and with a full stomach, make plans to attend the rodeo.

This weekend, this extremely exciting event will begin at the fairgrounds: the 72nd Annual Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, which culminates in a livestock auction at the end of March, after weeks of competition, cook-offs and other rodeo-related events, such as the Rodeo Rumble Run and the Chuck Wagon cook-off.

Many well-known performers are scheduled to perform at the rodeo this year, including ropers and riders, country music performers, and even rock and roll bands. This year's featured acts include country great Randy Travis, musician Jesse McCartney, and comedian Carlos Mencia, as well as Creedence Clearwater Revisited, which is a group comprised of a few original members of Creedence Clearwater Revival plus a few new members, who perform CCR's greatest hits, among other nationally famous acts.

The Fair and Rodeo also features various competitive events, such as a junior livestock show, a Western arts show, horse races, and the Miss Rodeo Austin pageant and scholarship contest, to name a few. There is also a carnival with all of the usual rides and arcade games, including a ferris wheel, merry-go-round, roller coaster, and unusual rides such as the Crazy Mouse. Prizes can be won at numerous booths and games, and every imaginable type of food and drink is offered as well. Participants can buy single tickets, or wrist bands and daily passes, for as little or as much entertainment as possible for a moderate price.

There are also many commercial exhibits, and with over 300,000 spectators expected to attend the rodeo, these exhibits are a perfect way for vendors and representatives of these commercial ventures to create brand loyalty and a following among local residents.

Rodeo Austin is one of the largest indoor rodeos in the country, and cowboys and cowgirls compete for awards. The Xtreme Bull Riding and Pro Rodeo and Pro Rodeo finals are also very popular, and are held at the middle and the end of the month of March, with many events held at the Travis County Expo Center and Fairgrounds east of Austin on Decker Lane, adjacent to Lake Walter E. Long.

The rodeo was founded in 1938, with the goal of advancing education as well as preserving the Western Heritage of the folks of this area, and in 2008, Dodge was named the official truck of the Austin Rodeo. Also in 2008, the youth auction was moved to the new Long Center for the Performing Arts, a beautiful new city coliseum located on the south of Lady Bird Lake. Also, in 2008, new attendance records were set for the cowboy breakfast, which drew a crowd of 7,000 participants.

In 2007, the Cowboy Classic golf tournament, held at the same time as the rodeo, broke auction sales records with over $300,000 in proceeds going to scholarship funds associated with the rodeo and golf tournament. The event was also broadcast on the internet for the first time, drawing huge numbers of viewers.

There are numerous opportunities for volunteers to give their time and energy to benefit the success of the rodeo as well, and over 2,500 people volunteered their time for the rodeo last year, with many already signed up this year too. So whether you attend as a participant, a spectator, or a volunteer, or all three, be sure to sample the western-themed event and peripheral activities, and enjoy all of the many events, games, sports, dances, music, refreshments, and entertainment.

So this year, take your friends and family to the Star of Texas Rodeo and enjoy the activities of the Old West in modern surroundings, and sample the cuisine and pastimes of the settlers of Travis County and central Texas. You will be glad you did!


Ki lives, and works in Austin Texs. Ki's website focuses on Austin real estate. It includes a search of Austin MLS listings. His site also has a Austin real estate blog which contains updates and statistics on the Austin market.

It's not the Bahamas, but Texas State Parks can offer surprisingly enjoyable getaways for a fantastic price. The Hill Country offers a bevy of beautiful state parks within a two hour drive. Whether it's a day of picnicking and fishing or a full-fledged camping trip, there are over a dozen state parks in the Hill Country region alone.

Less money in the vacation budget this year doesn't necessarily mean everyone is destined to spend the summer hanging out in the backyard. Even if camping, hiking or fishing have never been activities someone has tried before, a day spent at a local state park may offer some surprisingly simple fun.

At a little over an hour's drive, Inks Lake State Park is a great example of a fast, fun getaway. If tent camping sounds a little too rustic, Inks Lake SP offers small air-conditioned cabins. However, the prettiest campsites are those right along the edge of the lake, which have water but no electricity available. Bathrooms with showers are located throughout the well-maintained park. Basic camping equipment, like a tent, sleeping bags and cooking supplies can be bought for less than price of one airline ticket.

If a day trip for hiking sounds a little more doable, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is the perfect destination. The park just north of Fredericksburg Texas is a popular weekend destination, so a weekday trip may offer a better opportunity to fully enjoy all this park has to offer.

Enchanted Rock was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1970, and opened as a State Park in 1986. It is said that the huge, pink granite dome has attracted visitors to the Enchanted Rock area for 11,000 years, including the Tonkawa Indians who gave it the name Enchanted Rock for the explorers who seem to disappear into the magical rocks. Hikers of all levels can enjoy exploring the rock face that rises 1825 feet above sea level and covers 640 acres.

Farther destinations include Colorado Bend, Garner, Devil's Sink Hole and Kickapoo Caverns. All of these state parks offer their own unique beauty, from prehistoric caverns to rocky terrain to peaceful lakes. Tons of helpful information about all of the Texas State Parks can be found on the web at the state of Texas website.

Throughout the year the state parks offer a variety of activities. This month, for example, the closest park McKinney Fall SP is offering a day at the park for kids to ride bikes, go on nature hikes, learn about archery and study fossils. Or adults can take a free class to learn the basics of flyfishing.

Perhaps the Texas State Park service says it best: "Few states can match the breadth of activities offered by Texas state parks. From horseback riding and aerial tram rides to world-class fishing, mountain biking and beautiful scenery, our state parks have it all." So go exploring this spring and discover what's right in Austin's own backyard. It sure beats sitting around the house.


Ki caters to future buyers of Austin real estate. He maintains a site covering Austin Texas http://www.escapesomewhere.com along with a searchable database of the Austin MLS http://www.escapesomewhere.com/realestate_searchthemls.html His site also has information on Fredericksburg Texas http://www.escapesomewhere.com/city/fredericksburgrealestate.html He has worked in Texas real estate market for over ten years.

The small city of Blanco, Texas is frequently referred to as both the Gateway to the Hill Country and the Lavender Capital of Texas, and with such colorful descriptions, the town is sure to be a pleasant place to visit or settle down. Blanco is 45 miles west of Austin and about 45 miles northwest of San Antonio, so its rural charm is complimented by close proximity to a couple of the most populous and historic cities in Texas.

Blanco, which is located on the Blanco River in an area of the Hill Country called the Devil's Backbone due to its nearly mountainous terrain, was established around the year 1854 when Captain James Callahan camped in the valley near the Blanco River and decided to make his home there. A few years later, Callahan and his troop of around 100 men were initiated into the State armed forces as Texas Rangers and Callahan and his company laid out the town and sold lots for homes to be built.

Shortly thereafter, another settler, Joseph Bird, settled in nearby Round Mountain, which was called Bird Town after his arrival, and many other settlers bought lots and began raising families, including Hugh McLauren, Billy Trainer, and E.C. Hinds. The same year, the first church was built and opened for worship, called the First Methodist Church, and shortly thereafter, the Missionary Baptist Church began services in nearby Round Mountain. Afterward, a school was built and other houses of worship were organized, and the little town began to grow.

Blanco was originally called Pittsburgh, and the name was changed to Blanco around the time of Callahan`s arrival. The new name was derived from the Spanish word for white, which was how the limestone riverbed appeared during times of drought when the light-colored limestone could be seen from the banks of the river. After a big flood in the mid-1800's, the town center was moved across the river and a few miles downstream, and renamed Blanco.

In its early years, many Blanco residents were cotton growers, but after the boll weevil took its toll on the cotton crops, the residents found other ways to support themselves, including cattle ranching and raising Angora goats to produce the fine mohair which was an important fiber crop at the time, along with growing and cutting cedar trees and dairy farming. Another source of income was hog raising, and numerous head of sheep were herded to the area from Missouri and Pennsylvania for wool production.

Many of these endeavors continue in the Blanco area today, and the tourist industry is also a large part of the Blanco economy, with many bed and breakfast inns providing visitors with a quiet, rural place to stay while exploring the Texas Hill Country and all its attractions. The population of Blanco in the 2000 census was about 1,500 occupants, and the area of the town is 1.7 miles, .1 mile of which is water, mostly the waters of the Blanco River.

Blanco is home to 576 households, 47% of which are married couples, and the population is 88% white, with a smattering of different ethnicities as well. The median age of residents is 39 years and there is a larger percentage of women in Blanco than men, at 88 men for every 100 women. The median income for a household in Blanco is about $31,000, and 32% of the households have children under the age of 18.

The Blanco real estate market, with homes in the mid 100's, is fairly affordable compared to the Austin real estate market (with an average price of around 200k). But it is fairly similar to the San Antonio market which is considered one of the most affordable real estate markets of the large Texas cities.

Some of the attractions in Blanco today are the Blanco Classic Car Show, which has been held for over 20 years in mid-May, and the Blanco Lavender Festival, which is held every year in mid-June and which features live music, lavender farming, and various foods, beverages, and other activities.

Some of the notable bed and breakfast inns include the Paradise Lofts on Main, the Grape Creek Inn, and the Blair House Bed and Breakfast, among others. There are also many local restaurants as well as national chain restaurants and fast-food eateries, and there are many parks and nature-related activities, as well as close proximity to the Hill Country vineyards in the area.

So for a peaceful and scenic visit to the Texas Hill Country, come on over to Blanco, and enjoy the scent of the lavenders as well as the rural charm of central Texas!


Ki is a realtor working in the Austin real estate market. He helps future owners find the perfect property with a website that includes a searchable database of the Austin MLS. His site has information on Austin real estate and the nearby town of Blanco Texas.

Austin, Texas, is widely known as the "Live Music Capitol of the World", and proudly so. But excellent live music isn't the only thing Austin has to offer. Here are just five of the many reasons to visit the coolest city in Texas.

1. Live Music
From dive bars and clubs to honky-tonks and Austin City Limits and South by Southwest (SXSW, to those in the know), this town has it all when it comes to music. Country, jazz, hip hop, rock, punk, emo, pop and everything else under the sun can be found here, and talented, up-and-coming bands are a dime a dozen. Whether attending a sold out concert at Stubbs or heading over to Auditorium Shores for the summer-long "Blues on the Green" series, you can't go wrong when it comes to good music in Austin.

2. The Capitol
Being the capitol of the great state of Texas is something we take very seriously in Austin. A walk around the beautiful capitol grounds the towering state capitol modeled after the national capitol building in Washington, D.C. will show you a glimpse of the grandeur and heritage we Texans hold so dear. You'll likely also notice our state flag flying high with the national color another thing we Texans take pride in: being the only state which can fly its flag alongside or above the national flag. From the capitol, take stroll down Congress Avenue for incredible views, great food and fun shopping.

3. Sixth Street
Being home to the University of Texas and its 60,000+ students, as well as thousands of young professionals (Austin regularly makes the top ten in national listings of the best cities for young professionals) makes Austin a great place to cut loose and have a good time. Sixth Street is Austin's famous bar district, home to college bars, restaurants, tattoo shops and other tourist-focused businesses. In recent years, the area around Second Street, also known as the Warehouse District, has become Sixth Street's high-class counterpart. Lined with bistros, wine bars, tapas bars and other establishments catering to the mid-20s to mid-40s crowd, the Warehouse District offers a slightly more "mature" place to kick back.

4. Restaurants
Austinites don't do anything halfway. They work hard, play hard, and eat well. From country fare to five star French cuisine, and bar-be-que to sushi, Austin has it all in terms of restaurant options. While many of the top restaurants are downtown near the capitol, Sixth Street and the Warehouse District, you don't have to go downtown to get a good meal. In fact, some of the best food in Austin can be found in unexpected, out-of-the-way places. Whatever you're in the mood far, you won't have to go far to find it in Austin.

5. Shopping
In addition to food, Austin takes shopping seriously. With a huge community emphasis on shopping locally, you can find everything from the freshest produce and the hippest one-of-a-kind clothes. South Congress Avenue has become one of the coolest shopping destinations in the city, and is worth checking out whether or not you're in the mood to shop. Likewise, South Austin is home to a huge community of artists, craftsman, designers and other creative types making incredibly unique pieces that scream, "Austin original!"

Whatever you're in the mood for a day in the park or a night on the town "Austin, Texas, has what you're looking for, and more.


Ki has worked with central Texas real estate market for almost 10 years. He has sold to a variety of buyers. His site offers information on Austin Texas real estate and along with a graphical Austin home search. It also contains a blog with updated statistics and analysis on Austin real estate.

Under the canopy of trees seen from the highways and just out of sight along the busy streets are some of Austin's hidden treasures, and the city is about to add another one. This fall ground will be broken for phase 1 of a new hike and bike trail to be called the Walk for a Day trail. This approximately 35-mile trail will wind its way through parks and neighborhoods from Zilker Park to Kyle.

Completion of the whole project is still a good five years away, maybe even ten years if funding bogs down. But work on phase 1, which will connect existing trails between the Barton Creek Greenbelt and the City of Sunset Valley, will hopefully be completed by next spring.

The price tag for phase 1 alone is $250,000. According to the Community Impact Newspaper, the project's main funding and planning comes from the nonprofit Hill Country Conservancy preservation group. "George Cofer, HCC executive director, said phase 1 will allow people to enjoy miles of trail even while work continues on subsequent phases."

This project has been in the works since November 2007 and combines the efforts of the HCC with Austin Parks and Recreation Department, American YouthWorks, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the Austin Ridge Riders, as well as other individuals. According to the Austin-American Statesman, the project has received a $200,000 Recreational Trail Grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, as well as $50,000 from the Hill Country Conservancy and $10,000 from the Austin Parks Foundation.

Most of the labor for the project will be volunteers, starting with a special work day coinciding with National Trail Day on June 6. Salt Lick Barbecue will be provided for volunteers and swimming is free all day at Barton Springs Pool. The workday along the Barton Creek greenbelt is from 8 to 11:30 a.m.

An interesting component of this project is its connection with American YouthWorks. The local organization is using its Environmental Core Program to connect at-risk youths with the environment. HCC has hired the nonprofit to provide labor for the trail project. This will provide an opportunity for the youths ages 17-27 to learn job skills while connecting with nature in their community. Working on the project will give the young people experience with high level skills such as masonry work, erosion control and conservation efforts.

The hope is that the Walk for a Day trail will someday join a network of trails through several Texas counties. The $7.5 million project has the potential to allow people to leave their cars behind and hike or ride to all kinds of fun destinations throughout the Hill Country. Imagine packing up in the morning and taking a hike to Barton Springs Pool for the day or hiking to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to spend a beautiful spring day. "This is going to be one of the best trail systems that was ever built," Cofer said. "It's a big deal."


Ki is fascinated by Austin real estate and works to help buyers and sellers understand the local market. He has a website that allows buyers to search the Austin MLS. If also provides general information on Austin real estate and Round Rock real estate.