Created by Jane Ann Brown

Central Texas Major City: Austin, TX

Austin is the state capital of Texas Austin is the state capital of Texas. It’s a beautiful city located on the Colorado River and has three lakes within the city limits.

It is here that Governor Rick Perry and Texas legislatures from around the state discuss important issues and create laws that help all Texans. This is the capital building in Austin, TX. It was built in 1888 and is slightly smaller than the Capital building in Washington D.C. , our nation’s capital.

There are many fun things to do in Austin There are many fun things to do in Austin. Boating on the Colorado River, Lake Austin, Lake Travis and Lady Bird Lake is a popular activity.

The Mexican Free-Tail bats that live under the Congress Avenue Bridge are a unique part of Austin. Every evening around sunset, the bats come out from under the bridge. There are an estimated 1.3 million bats! It take about 45 minutes for all of the bats to emerge. They go out every evening to look for insects to eat. People come from all over the world to watch the bats ‘ evening flight. The best time to view the bats is in August when the mother bats and their babies called pups fly together in the night sky. Austin loves the bats so much that they named their Ice Hockey team after them!

Click on the link below to view the bats in flight! http://www.voanews.com/english/figleaf/ramfilegenerate.cfm?filepath=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Evoanews%2Ecom%2Fmediaassets%2Fenglish%2F2006%5F08%2FVideo%2Frm%2FAustin%20Bat%20Colony%5Fbb%2Erm

Austin is also is part of the Texas Hill Country Austin is also is part of the Texas Hill Country. Rolling hills and gentle streams make this the perfect vacation area all year round.

Natural Bridge Caverns is a National Park located in the Texas Hill Country. The caverns are still very active and growing. Water flows and drips constantly throughout, causing the formations of stalactites and stalagmites.