According the US News, Austin ranks in the top 10 fittest cities in America. Despite Texas' renown obesity, Austinians are generally pretty fit. The city has a large number of parks and a low rate of chronic diseases. What makes Austin such a healthy place? Town Lake, no doubt. Activity abounds around the lake all day despite the heat or rain.
Dog Walking--Austin is the PLACE for dogs. And dog walking abounds around the lake. On the Southside about half a mile
from our place is the 'dog park' where people let their dogs off leash, and throw tennis balls in the water for them to swim to. The dogs are all very well behaved and enjoy playing with each other--big and small, old and young. Jogging--occurs at all times of the day. I won't go jogging unless I am up and ready by 7:30am. Its just waay to hot for me. But locals seem unfazed by 100 degree high humidit.
Kayaking--We went kayaking again along the lake. Being on the water really brings the temperature down. We had some more great nature sightings including a rare heron! People also kayak/canoe with their dogs (with life jackets). A new popular sport that looks like fun is the gondola-surfboard looking thing. You stand on a large surf board and paddle like a gondolier. Swimming--Barton springs is the place to go swimming. The water is freezing but so refreshing from the scorching heat. You
never dry off because as soon as the lake water evaporates it is replaced by your own sweat...which means its time to go in again!Oh and Kan came to visit this past weekend!!!! It was so exciting to see her and have her experience a little slice of Tejas
