About 30 miles southwest of Austin, Texas is a little Travis County park called Hamilton pool.  It is a feature where the Hamilton Creek cascades over a 50 foot waterfall into a pool below.  The creek then continues down a scenic valley on its almost 1 mile journey from the pool to where it joins into the Pedernales River. 

While swimming is allowed in the pool, it is regulated according to bacteria levels.  On the day we went, swimming was not allowed.  All indications are that the color of the water has nothing to do with whether or not swimming is allowed.

We stopped on the way and picked up some Subway and had a quick lunch when we arrived.  The hike from the parking lot to the pool is about a quarter mile (mostly downhill).  You can walk fully around the pool and behind the falls.  There is a trail that then winds along the Hamilton Creek to where it merges with the Pedernales River. 

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and we enjoyed the time and spent about two and a half hours there.  On the way home from the park was a “Texas-style” housing development.  We turned in only to find cattle grazing along the road.  Too stereotypical if you ask me.