{"id":31571,"date":"2018-07-12T09:04:14","date_gmt":"2018-07-12T14:04:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/?p=31571"},"modified":"2018-08-02T10:20:06","modified_gmt":"2018-08-02T15:20:06","slug":"highland-lakes-outdoor-fun-in-the-texas-heartland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/highland-lakes-outdoor-fun-in-the-texas-heartland\/","title":{"rendered":"Highland Lakes: Outdoor Fun in the Texas Heartland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Smack-dab in the center of Texas is an expansive landscape defined by rolling hillsides and connecting waterways. It\u2019s the Highland Lakes region of Burnet County. (That\u2019s BURN-it, like DURN-it. Learn it.)<\/span><\/p>\n

The Highland Lakes<\/a> are a chain of seven lakes formed when the Colorado River was dammed almost a century ago to manage floods and generate hydroelectric power. Since then, the region has teemed with verdant flora and native fauna, beckoning outdoor enthusiasts of every sort. In the spring and summer, the wildflowers explode with color. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\"Canyon
Plenty of rocking chairs to go around at Canyon of the Eagles resort and nature park in Burnet, TX. Photo by Pamela McKuen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We anchored our stay at Canyon of the Eagles<\/a>, a picturesque 940-acre resort and nature park perched above Lake Buchanan\u2014the largest in the chain. The property\u2014named for the American bald eagles who nest here each winter\u2014has a strong environmental conscience, a rustic vibe, an army of rocking chairs. The livin\u2019 is easy and the hospitality is first-rate. You can even bring your favorite furry friend along, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sixty-one guest rooms are scattered through 16 low-slung cabins with views of the courtyard or the lake. The rooms are decorated in rough-hewn woods, vintage leathers,\u00a0and exquisite bedding. If you prefer, the resort has 25 RV sites and 33 campsites.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Canyon
Canyon of the Eagles view of the sunset over Lake Buchanan. Photo by Pamela McKuen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The award-winning Overlook restaurant dishes up both casual and sophisticated fare, focusing on traditional Texan cuisine expertly prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Just to let you know, the maple-glazed ham and dinner flatbreads are sumptuous. Floor-to-ceiling windows capture panoramic views of brilliant sunsets and the tree-studded terrain. The Eagle\u2019s Nest has a full-service bar and a seasonal menu plus a large-screen television and a wood-burning fireplace.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Swimming
Swimming pool with stone waterfall at Canyon of the Eagles resort and nature park. Photo by Pamela McKuen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Your recreation can be as active or leisurely as you like. Roam the 14 miles of trails or lounge beside the swimming pool. The resort\u2019s scheduled activities will make you feel like you\u2019re at summer camp: guided hikes, fishing lessons, craft classes, bingo, an educational program with live reptiles, and so much more. And the best part is that most everything is free for overnight guests, excluding kayak rentals and pontoon cruises.<\/span><\/p>\n

The fun continues after the sun goes down. Drop by the Eagle Eye Observatory for spectacular stargazing. The resort\u2019s resident astronomer is on hand with research-quality telescopes and a keen knowledge of the heavens. He\u2019ll point out planets and constellations, the International Space Station, and the Wicked Witch of the West.\u00a0<\/span>Family-friendly movies are shown nightly along with complimentary s\u2019mores, and live music is performed on weekends.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u00a0could easily spend your entire getaway at Canyon of the Eagles, but there is much more to see and do in Burnet County. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cruise Lake Buchanan<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Lake
Fall Creek Falls on Lake Buchanan, the largest of the Highland Lakes in Texas. Photo by Pamela McKuen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hop aboard the Texas Eagle II for a cruise of Lake Buchanan and the Colorado River with <\/span>Vanishing Texas Cruises<\/span><\/a>. During a two-hour narrated tour, you\u2019ll view an abundance of migrating and regional birds, white travertine bluffs, towering waterfalls, and native Texas wildlife. You might even catch a glimpse of the wild cliff-dwelling Spanish goats.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Explore an Underground Cavern<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Longhorn
Calcite crystals formed eons ago at Longhorn Cavern. Photo by Pamela McKuen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A side trip to <\/span>Longhorn Cavern State Park<\/span><\/a> is certainly worth\u00a0your time. Developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the park\u2019s star attraction is its namesake: an elaborate underground passageway sculpted by the rushing waters of a long-ago river. Park guides lead visitors through chamber after chamber, past striated stone walls and immense rock formations, for more than a mile. Along the way, they point out the cavern\u2019s unique features and relate its colorful history.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Zip Through the Treetops<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Sky
Sky-bridges lead from one zip-line to another. Photo by Pamela McKuen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You\u2019ll fly through the canopy of ancient cypress trees when zip-lining with <\/span>Cypress Valley Canopy Tours<\/span><\/a>. The guided tour traverses five steel zip-lines, most of which launch and land from wooden platforms up to 40 feet high. The longest run is 350 feet. There are also two freaky board-and-rope sky-bridges to cross and a rappel off the last platform. Afterward, you can relax amid the picnic grounds or jump into the lake (via zip-line, of course) for a swim.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grab Some Hearty Texan Fare\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Trailblazer
Southwest quesadillas with homemade salsa at Trailblazer Grille. Photo by Pamela McKuen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n