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<br />) <br /> <br />Governor's Mansion and several other fine historical homes as we head back south of the <br />river to Zilker Park and the Austin Botanical Gardens, Here you will dine (box lunch) <br />among towering shade trees and beautiful landscaped gardens, After lunch, the Rose <br />Garden and Butterfly pathway beckons you to take a leisurely stroll and walk off a filling <br />meal! <br /> <br />Leaving the Gardens, you will see Barton Springs Pool, the "Crown Jewel" of Austin's <br />many parks and recreational areas. This spring-fed pool is the hub of a large park, which <br />serves as a gateway to many hike and bike trails, and an educational exhibit offers you a <br />perspective of the underground springs and aquifers of the area, Plus, they have on <br />display some of the endangered salamanders, which inhabit the cold spring waters, <br />There's also a great gift shop! A short drive will take you to the world famous Lady Bird <br />Johnson National Wildflower Center where you can stroll along several flowered <br />pathways viewing unique Texas flora, Another wonderful gift shop awaits! <br /> <br />THURSDAY NIGHT SOCIAL <br /> <br />SMILlN' V WESTERN RANCH <br />THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2000 <br />4:00 PM - 11 :00 PM <br /> <br />Most of you "northerners" have come to Texas expecting to see Cowboys still chasing <br />Indians in a landscape dominated by sand and cactus. Well, we still have lots of sand and <br />too much of that thorny plant we call "prickly pear", but sadly most of the cowboys in the <br />Austin area or more of the "drugstore" variety and the real Indians (native Texans) live <br />mostly on reservations in East Texas, The Austin metropolitan area is one of the fastest <br />growing areas in the country where urban sprawl has taken its toll on many of the small <br />family ranches and now apartments and rows and rows of homes occupy open space <br />where cattle and wildlife used to roam. But don't despair, you still have an opportunity to <br />see what rural country living "Texas style" is like. <br /> <br />As a grand finale to your week in Austin, you will board a bus in front of the Hyatt <br />Regency Hotel around 4:00 pm and embark on a 35 mile leisurely drive to the Smilin' V <br />Western Ranch located near Liberty Hill at the fringes of the Texas Hill Country, This is <br />a working cattle ranch, but many amenities have been added to enhance the western <br />ranch experience and to provide for additional recreational opportunities, Once at the <br />ranch, a cool drink or refreshing "brew" will get you started on a unique Texas <br />experience you will long remember, <br /> <br />You can participate in the "Flood Olympics" where federal, state and local government <br />teams square off for the Great Paddle Boat races or try your hand on a heavy rope as the <br />"Tug of War" goes back and forth over a mudfilled pit. Most people have never seen a <br />live armadillo, but you will have an opportunity to ride herd over your very own <br />armadillo during the Great Armadillo Races, There will be a Wild West Show as well as <br />