Fall is here! There are few places in the United States where this is not a glorious time to be outside. Summer’s lazy warmness is slowly fading and being replaced by cool crisp days that energize the soul. Hues of scarlet, gold and deep fiery orange abound. Do you really want to spend this magical time of year indoors? Get outside and stretch your legs!

In my hometown of Austin, I like to do a lot of ’city hiking’. The neighborhoods in town have many more kinds of deciduous trees planted than out in the countryside. They may not all be native to the area, but, they sure put on a pretty show! I love to spend an afternoon, wrapped in a warm scarf and walking the streets and neighborhoods of downtown. The best part is that I can window shop along the way. When, my feet get tired, I just stop in a cozy cafe, like Swedish Hill Bakery, and order a latte or a mug of tea.

If I’d rather be immersed in the great outdoors, I’ll drive out west of town to Pedernales State Park. It is only 30 minutes out and has miles of trails. The cooling weather this time of year makes it possible to hike without going into heat exhaustion. You can hike the canyons and up the rolling hills as well as stroll along the clear rocky Pedernales river.

 These are just some of the options near my hometown. What are some outdoor walks or hiking that you love to do?

Thanks to Mandj98 for the lovely fall photos!

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