| On the eastern edge of the Edward's
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| | the current is strong and water level is
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| plateau lies one of Austin's greatest
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| | high, which allows tubers to ride the
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| treasures: the Barton Creek Greenbelt.
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| | creek through the city, a recreation
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| After millions of years, the runoff of
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| | usually only achieved out of town on much
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| rainwater carved a canyon into the
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| | larger rivers.
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| plateau, and created one of Austin's
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| | The Barton Creek greenbelt also offers
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| treasures.
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| | many trails throughout the area that
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| The most popular of Austin's greenbelts,
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| | differ in size from tight, rocky ledges
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| the Barton Creek greenbelt is just shy of
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| | to widths one could deem drivable. The
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| 8 miles long, and covers 809 acres. The
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| | trails wind through sycamore groves,
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| greenbelt runs from Zilker Park downtown,
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| | along the creek bed, through limestone
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| to the rocky entrance of Camp Craft Road,
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| | bluffs hiding many caves, and deep into
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| just off of the Capital of Texas Highway,
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| | forests of juniper and oak trees.
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| with several entrance points in between.
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| | Walkers, runners, and mountain bikers all
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| Austinites looking for outdoor activities
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| | share the same paths through an oasis
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| head to the greenbelt every day of the
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| | that lies within walking distance of
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| year.
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| | Mopac, while seeming very far removed.
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| The creek running through the middle of
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| | The serious runners ascend the Hill of
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| the greenbelt has attracted people to its
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| | Life, the steepest hill on the trail,
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| waters for several years. The Tonkawa
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| | known to make runners stronger, and its
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| and Apache tribes were drawn to the
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| | rocky surface preps them for off road
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| abundant fresh water, as were other
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| | races. The limestone cliffs of the
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| Native Americans for thousands of years.
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| | greenbelt beckon rock climbers from
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| William "Uncle Billy" Barton settled in
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| | around the city, with at least six
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| the area in 1837, and what was known as
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| | different areas, such as Seismic Wall,
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| Spring Creek came to be known as Barton
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| | New Wall and Great Wall, set up as
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| Creek.
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| | climbing zones, with routes bolted into
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| Today, many are still drawn to the waters
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| | the side of the rock.
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| of Barton Creek and its several popular
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| | The greenbelt is known for having a very
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| swimming holes, most looking to escape
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| | sensitive ecosystem, and drinking alcohol
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| the harsh Texas sun. Though the busiest
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| | within its borders was outlawed in 1997
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| of the swimming areas is Barton Springs
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| | by the Parks and Recreation department
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| pool in Zilker park, places such as Twin
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| | since the park staff picked up 18 cubic
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| Falls and Sculpture Falls offer not only
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| | yards of garbage a week, with 75 percent
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| cool waters, but beautiful sheer cliffs
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| | of the trash turning up as beer bottles
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| and a more secluded setting as well. The
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| | and cans. Concerned citizens have done a
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| pool at Gus Fruh park gathers crowds of
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| | good job at keeping city growth at bay by
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| families with young children and dogs
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| | forming groups such as the Save our
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| because of its section of ankle-deep
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| | Springs Alliance to protect the quality
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| water, and a younger crowd that enjoys
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| | of water coming off of development in the
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| its long, deep section that makes for
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| | fragile Barton Springs watershed. Though
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| good swimming, and a rope swing for the
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| | the population of Austin is increasing
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| more adventurous types. Closer to Zilker
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| | dramatically, the Barton Creek Greenbelt
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| park lies Campbell's hole, with its
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| | has been relatively unharmed by the
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| pebbly beach, and rumored to be visited
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| | city's rapid development, and welcomes
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| by Robert E. Lee, and outlaws Bonnie and
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| | all Austinites, new and old, to come
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| Clyde. During seasons of heavy rainfall,
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| | play.
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