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Barton Springs Eternal!

It is 102 degrees, the middle of August in Austin, Texas and IT IS HOT! I feel the sweat dripping down the small of my back as I step across the Barton Creek Pool concrete to the edge of the pool. Looking back, I see my friend kicking off his sandals and realize he does not suspect anything unusual. I look out over the clear; inviting, incredibly beautiful water and pause...hesitating because I know what is coming. I turn and quickly push off before I lose my nerve, diving into the water. The crashing sound of the water and bubbles fills my ears as I slip beneath the surface. Almost immediately my body reacts in shock to the icy cold water and I struggle to the surface. It takes everything I can muster to not scream as the astonishing cold envelops my body. Actually it is such a complete jolt that I can only struggle for breath as I try to swim slowly away from the pools edge determined not to make a sound or let on what is happening.

OH @%$#! After only a few moments my friend shouts "How's does it feel?" With great effort, I try to appear nonchalant and endeavor to answer in a calm voice "Come on in...the waters fine!" I turn away and try to deal with the intense temperature change from the heat of the day to the chill of the pool and not give away the "surprise"! Slowly treading water I watch as he takes a running jump from the edge of the pool and does a can-opener into the sparkling clear water. In a split second he surfaces in a roar of splashing water and as he flails about begins to shriek and well...he's not making as much noise as you would imagine because he is also gasping for air exactly the same wayI did a few moments earlier! I ahhhhhhh *#@# Oh sh*^%rggghhh ohh Nooooo %*$#* aiejhsgdb @$%%^@ is all he can manage to howl as he thrashes about and attempts to find the edge of the pool and relief from the semi-arctic chill freezing his astonished body! I am laughing as I swim further out to hopefully avoid any immediate retaliation from my friend. After a few moments he calls out and say. You are such a %#*&% but this is starting to feel pretty good! I start laughing and notice that several other nearby swimmers do the same. And so another person is introduced to the icy cold joy of a swim in Barton Springs Pool!

Barton Springs Pool has been a popular attraction for years since it became part of a city park in 1917. In 1929, workers enlarged the irregular-shaped pool to 1,000 feet long by building a concrete lower dam and sidewalks on both banks. In 1932, the city added an upper dam. Over the years the springs has been the site of a flour mill, a source of drinking water for many citizens and a popular location for baptisms, family picnics, social gatherings, musical performances, fishing and swimming.

The City Of Austin Website describes the history of the pool:
"Native Americans called them the Sacred Springs and came there to heal their wounds. Spanish friars believed to be the first European settlers in the Austin area set up three temporary missions at the springs in 1730-31 before they moved to San Antonio. In 1837, William "Uncle Billy" Barton, built his rustic cabin on a tract of land which included the springs. Since he owned several adjoining tracts, the area came to be known as the "Bartons". He named the three springs after his daughters Parthenia, Eliza and Zenobia. The largest spring became known as the main spring at Barton Springs Pool. Another spring feeds the Elks Amphitheater pool that Zilker built near the present day Barton Springs Pool. A third spring bubbles up from the Sunken Garden on the east side of the park."

Swimmers are incredibly loyal and the website talks about one particular fan:

"Beverly Sheffield, who served as director of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department from 1946-1973, swam at Barton Springs for 73 years, longer than any of today's regular swimmers. He began when he was 10 years old and on into his 80s, Sheffield continued to go the pool three days a week, weather permitting until his death."

Barton Springs Pool
Is the fourth largest natural springs in the state. and the crown jewel of Austin, Texas located within the 358 acres of Zilker Park. The pool is over three acres in size and is fed by natural springs that flow nearly 27 MILLION gallons of clear, icy cold water every day. The average temperature is 68 degrees year round (ironically this same chill is perfect for winter lap swimmers in the winter because the water is so much warmer than the air temperature during the colder months.)

But you will not get me in that pool in the winter!

Barton Springs Pool

Almost every person who has ever visited the city hears about the pool one way or the other from a native or previous visitor.While working on the post for this blog I spoke with a number of swimmers and sunbathers and most all had been coming here for years but there I did meet a group who were experiencing the pool for the first time. All were amazed at the incomparable beauty because although these pictures are beautiful (some taken my me but the best ones by my associate Tom Coplen) you really have to see and experience it to believe it. Every time I stop by for a swim I still search for words to adequately describe the experience and usually end up falling short.

another cold splash!

Oh...I almost forgot, my friend did forgive me while still threatening to maintain the option of getting even with me at a future date. Later when my friend and I are joined by our wives at the pool, he tells me in a hushed tone "Don't say anything, I want to pull the same stunt on my wife" and so it goes on and on.

Come on in...the water's fine!

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Posted by Russell Lewis, Broker,CLHMS,GRI on 08/25/2008 12:03 PM

Comments (70)

Best Swimming Hole in Texas in the Regional (Localism) Channel

russell lewis, austin texas living, barton springs, the good life in austin texas, beat the heat, zilker park, austin luxury homes

Originally posted at: The Good Life in Austin Texas: Barton Springs Eternal!

This post has been included in Texas Information Travis County, TX Information Austin, TX Information
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70 Comments on Barton Springs Eternal!

AUG

2008

WOW!!! You finally posted about Barton Springs. The pictures are fabulous and your story is so funny and so YOU!!!

Thanks! Michelle

Al;right!!! You finally posted this and it is beautiful. Great pictures and such a funny story too! (It is sooooooooooooo YOU!)

Michelle & Mattie I DID take more time than I had originally planned but I am still learning how to put up quality posts here and wanted this one to look good. Although pictures can never express the incredible beauty (or the C-O-L-D water) that is the essence of Barton Springs!

Great photos! Now you see? Texas really IS too hot for me. Though I am a fish reluctantly trapped on land, so the water is quite the enticement. But I'd have to stay there and I would need someone to toss me food from time to time. French chocolates would do nicely ;-)

MWA!

Ahhhh, this takes me back to my college days.......laying on the shores of Barton Springs pool studying......well, okay, not always studying. I looked much better in my bikini back then. Thanks for the memories. Tom did a great job on the pictures, too. Is that big splash from your cannonball?

Russell

This is a fantastic article about Barton Springs and the pictures are beautiful! I wish I had more time to visit and take an icy cool dip (especially as HOT as it has been in Texas this year) and just lay out and catch some rays on the grassy side of the pool! I really like this and again you have a funny story to accompany the pictures!!! You are so serious and so light hearted at the same time! Thank you again for a very "cool" blog!

Karen

Francie I think about all the yearsI have enjoyed Barton Springs just about every time I visit. There is no place like it!

what a great post, really enjoyed it and got a good laugh!

AUG

2008

Karen Thanks for your comments, after looking over the pictures I am half tempted to play "hooky" and sneak over to the pool for an afternoon swim!

CrystalI appreciate your comments and i'm glad you liked the funny story (my friend still reminds me of it whenever he is in town)!

Oh my gosh!!! Those pictures are beautiful! I wish I could take off today and just spend the rest of the afternoon at Barton Springs swimmimg and just catching some sunshine.

I loved your funny story too, it is so you!

Russell, What a wonderful article about the best swimminghole in TEXAS! The pictures are beautiful and i love the story about you and your gullible friend. You are something else!

Barton Springs is a true Texas Treasure . I swam there 50 years ago!

Allysoun It is an incredibly beautiful place and I still marvel at it every time I am there!

AnneI am glad you enjoyed the story, I just can't help it sometimes and everyone I have ever fooled into the first freezing dip always likes to tell the story on themselves, it just adds to the mystique of B Springs Pool!

Trey 50 years is a long time. Come on down when you get the chance and I guarantee you will still love it!

Great blog Russell, Your pictures are great! I love Barton Springs, swam there when I was young and so did my children. Been a long time now though. Maybe one day I'll get back there. It is so pretty.

AUG

2008

Hi RickiThank you so much for checking out this "beat the heat" entry! I am so fortunate to live in Austin and it was a treat to swim there for this post. Of course it took 5 or 6 visits before I could get all of the ambiance need! Hah! When you are in Austin, you should make some time to go back for a swim and some leisurely relaxing!

It was also a plaesure meeting you at Jason's birthday and if I ever have anyone moving to your part of the state (an incredibly beautiful place itself), I will give them your name!

Russell

Is this blog a part of the "Beat the Heat" event for Texas? I read it earlier and it is even funnier the second time (and great pictuers too) so I am going to email the link to some people who are moving to Austin next month!

Hi Russell

Lindsay sent me the link to your cool article on Barton Springs and it looks fabulous! Your story is funny and so like you but most people don't know how funny you can be when you are not in business mode! Thanks for telling a great story about our treasured pool!

Hey, Russell. This looks to cool. I think every city should have one of these for sure. All my best, Jim

So Russell, I am trying to have a visual of you 1. jumping into Barton Springs and 2. not screaming. It is so unlike you not to make a comment! However, I feel certain that you were in an uncontrollable laugh once your friend figured out how cold Barton Springs is!

Russell,

Allysoun sent me a link to your article and it is wonderful! You and Tom took some beautiful pictures and I don't know when the story took place but it sounds just like you and I am sure you have not changed one bit!

Thanks,

Carol

Actually it is such a complete jolt that I can only struggle for breath as I try to swim slowly away from the pools edge determined not to make a sound or let on what is happening.

Hmm. That's a classic. You must have been a lot of fun in high school! :)

Allysoun Thanks for the comments and yes do email the link or you can also email the link to my blog. Whatever works best!

Cindi I am so glad you dropped by to see the Barton Springs layout! You are also right that I am still somewhat mischievous at times! Thank you!

Jim & Maria I would not be surprised to find a number of good places to beat the heat in yuor state! the problem in Texas is that MOST of the stae is arid and DRY so we are always grateful for water... Thank you for commenting!

Liz It was very hard for me to not let on but when he jumped in I just burst out laughing (as soon as I managed to stop gasping for air!)

Carol Good to hear from you and as you know I still have a bit of the mischief streak in my bones!

Not Yet Licensed You guessed it and as I got older I just got worse! Well ...not in a particularly"bad" way!

AUG

2008

Russell- I could feel your pain as you described plunging into the cold water- I am a toe tipper!!

This is an incredible pool- Great photos and post for localism!

AUG

2008

Barbara I like your comment and I started laughing thinking about the "pain" and shock that my friend ecperienced. It is a beautiful place and to tell the truth I spent several afternoons there working on this blog instead of WORKING!

SEP

2008

I just read your other article about the Hot Sauce Contest and decided to check this one too. It's so beautiful and you are right even the best pictures cannot capture the feeling of being there! We love Barton Springs and your article was as funny as it was informative!

Sincerely,

Erin P.

Erin Welcome to Austin and thanks for leaving a comment on my localism blog! I do agree that the pictures are beautiful but nothing compares with the real thing!

SEP

2008

Hey is that story about me? I like the look of your new blog and the name is perfect too! You are living the good life in Austin Texas!!!

Bill Thanks for checking in to my outside blog and NO the story is about another friend and it was almost 30 years ago! The place is still beautiful as ever, come on down while It's still hot! talk to you soon!

SEP

2008

Russell Several people told me about this post so I checked it out! It is well done and the pictures are spectacular! I hope to do more with active rain in the future when I have some time!

Thanks,

Scott

Hi Scott Thank you for dropping by my post about Barton Springs, The pictures are very good but you really have to be there to appreciate the beauty and the CHILL!!!

SEP

2008

Now that was a wonderful write up about the Springs. Keep um coming!!

I have to admit I've never even heard of this mysterious watering hole. I thought I was doing good just by getting out to Hamilton Pool. This, I must say, looks a bit cleaner and more refreshing than the stagnant Hamilton grotto!

KarenI am so glad you visited my blog! Thanks for the comment and i hope to see you around Active rain more often!

JenniferI also like Hamilton Pool but if the water table is down, it is not as attractive. You need to get to Barton Springs soon because I guarantee you will love it!

SEP

2008

Hey Russell, a mutual friend of ours sent this article to me and it looks great. i like your Austin Texas blog and this is a very cool (literally) post about the best swimming hole in Texas! I am going to bookmark your blog and check in on a regular basis!

Thanks -Lea

Hi LeaI am glad to see that some people are beginning to find my "outside blog" Thank you for commenting and it is the best swimming hole in Texas!

SEP

2008

HI I just wanted to check and see if this was going to be posted in a specific Localism neighborhood or just for Austin? It is after all a gift for the whole state but we happen to be the lucky ones who live here and can visit more often!

It most certainly is a gift for all of us. And the funny thing is people can use it all year around. However, as I said before, you won't see me in that water in Winter!

SEP

2008

Wonderful article. The pictures are beautiful and that was a very funny story! barton Springs is one of the crown jewels of Central Texas!

I don't think I've ever seen a pool 1,000 feet long even if it is a natural spring, but it certainly looks inviting

SEP

2008

Michelle Thanks for commenting, we are both lucky to live here and enjoy the pool whenever we like!

Art It is pretty amazing (and you know we always have to do things bigger in Texas! Tell Karen I said hello!

SEP

2008

Hi Russell - Don't know how I missed this post, it's a riot!!! Don't know why it wasn't featured either. Lots of fun here, thanks for the giggle. BTW - did your friend get his wife to go in? I'm sure she knew exactly what was going on; I don't think Barton Springs is a very well kept secret.

Gail I had so much fun doing this post and actually went to the pool several times and just soaked in the "ambiance" to really got in the mood to write about this wonderful place! Thanks for dropping by!

Russell - every post you do is chocked full of quality: thought, pictures and verbiage. For me it translates into how well you would also treat your real estate customers. I hope some day we can work a transaction together, I know the consumer would be in terrific hands. Here's to network building :-)

SEP

2008

Gail Thank you so much for the comment and the compliment! I do not post as often as many people because Ispend time with my real world business so I try and post something that someone might actually read!

I have really enjoyed getting to know you and others here on Active Rain and would look forward to doing a transaction with you if the opportunity ever arises. like you I am also trying to build a referral network of good agents that i meet here! Have a great week!

SEP

2008

Russell I commeneted on this earlier and wanted to know how to find the other posts for the "Beat the Heat" contest. I like the pictures and of course the funny story is certainly you. I am sure there ae some other very good articles about places to cool off in Texas too!

SEP

2008

Hi Russell,

I was just perusing your new Goodlife Blog and it's got some nice articles and stories! I have always enjoyed Barton Springs and I am glad I did not go with you my FIRST TIME! Very funny and the pictures are awesome!

See you soon! Jimmy

Hi Russell,

We thought we would look at a few more of your articles and saw this on on Barton Springs. Fantastic pictures of one of the best places to swim in Texas. Funny story about your friend too!

Scott At the bottom of the post (before the comments) is a line of "tags" click on the phrase "beat the heat" and it will take you to the other posts. There are quite a few and some really good ones on ways and places to beat the heat in August!

Hi JimmyGlad you dropped by my blog, I have two that are linked. One is on ActiveRain and is linked and mirrored (so to speak with my outside blog, thegoodlifeinaustintexas. I appreciate you checking it out and commenting. Call me when you are in town next time and thanks again!

Mark and Cherie I appreciate both of you previewing my goodlife blog and i hope all is well in your world!

SEP

2008

Hi Russell, I am sitting here on phone duty and looking at the different blogs on active rain. I did not know you had written about Barton Springs but it's a wonderful article and the pictures by you and Tom are beautiful!

Carla Thanks for the comments and I appreciate your compliment. Barton Springs is so beautiful that is is difficult to capture the essence in pictures. We both know that you have to see it to really understand!

SEP

2008

Russell, When is the competition going to be judges? I have looked at the other posts and some are very, very good! For as hot as it is around here, Texas has a lot of great places to "beat the heat". I still like yours the best!

Hi Ally Thank you for the "shout out" but it has been pretty wild lately. Liz has not been feeling well, but is bouncing back and then Ike hit many of our fellow Texas rainers so it wil be whenever, I think maybe you just want to hit the pool for some "research" of your own. I agree with you that there some really cool entries and we are lucky that there are so many places to cool off in Texas! See you soon!

SEP

2008

Russell, I looked at this before! We are so fortunate to live in the same town that has Barton Springs! i looked at some of the other Beat the Heat entries and there are some wonderful places to cool off all over the state of Texas!

Karen This was an especially fun project and I did spend several afternoons doing "research" at the site. All in the interest of accuracy of course...

SEP

2008

Hi Russell,

I love Barton Springs!! I'm proud to admit, after 7 years of sunning on the hill I finally got up the nervers to take my 1st dip in earlier this year!! Barton Springs is one of Austin's gems.

Hi Russell,

I love Barton Springs!!! I'm proud to admit, after 7 years of sunning on the hill, I finally got up the nerve to take my 1st dip in the springs earlier this year. Loved your article!!!

You're the man...FIRST PLACE WINNER OF THE CONTEST, Beat the Heat + 1,000 Points. Congratulations Russell, well done and well deserved! L

We have THE WINNERS of the contest; 1.Russell Lewis, 2. Crystal Ledbetter 3. Karen Stahla congratulations to all three, and you should already have your points credited to you.

Everyone else who entered is also a winner and should have 200 points just for entering. There were some really great ones this time and a great turn out too. Thanks for your understanding of the delay, illness, and then Hurricane Ike...being the culprits! Let me know what other contest you would like to see our Texas Real Estate group do?

I will have a post done by tonight, so please check back in to read all about the contest and congradulate the winners.

Please keep helping me grow our great group of bloggers & friends and encourage more to join us. We have grown to 419 members, and YOU have created some great post...no junk here! Just a bunch of friendly Texan's, and great bloggers :-) L

Congrats on 1st place! I so enjoyed your post about it the story was cute! i know that next summer I will be heading there for a visit instead of Galveston.

Howdy Russell

I sure am sorry that. I diden find your post before to comment.

on your fine post being picked and being the first place winner.

God Bless Texas

Congratulations Russell! You had a beautiful post on a beautiful place. I knew you would win!

SEP

2008

WOW LIZ!!! Again thanks, I am relly honored to have won because I saw so many good entries and it's a sign of the quality of the members of our Texas group that we have so many good entries, I actually believe that they shouls all be featured! Now I am going to comment and compliment on all of your posts too!

Have a great weekend!

Crystal Hi there and thanks for the compliment, I figure it will be awhile before our fellow Texans in Galveston manage to recover and you will always find something fun to do in Austin. (Just remember how chilly it is at Barton Springs!)

Howdy Dale It's great hearing from you. I have read many of your comments and just now figured you are not actually living here in Texas but you certainly fit right in! It is nice getting to know you!

Sherry Thank you so much for the compliment, I appreciate this AR community and it's nice that we are neighbors. Maybe we will be fortunate and do a deal together someday!

MandyThank you for dropping by, we are very fortunate to live in the same area as the (quite literally) coolest swimming pool in Texas!

SEP

2008

Congrats on the win Russell - this place looks awesome! And I had to laugh when you tricked your friend into jumping in, lol - that was a good one. Be careful when you pull that stunt on the Misses.... it might backfire on you, haha.

Gene Thank you for the compliment. There wer so many great entries in the contest and i think they would all make great "featured" Localism posts!

Russell, congratulations on your 1st prize win in the contest. What great photos...after a ninety some odd day today, that water looks very inviting.

SEP

2008

Gena Thank you for the kudo. The watre is inviting but V E R Y cold at firts dip! talk to you soon!

Russell,

Congratulations on winning the prize for the best place in Texas to beat the heat! Funny story and the pictures are fabulous! Talk to you soon!

Sarah

SEP

2008

Sarah I appreciate the Kudos, there were so many great entries and it was a fun contest to boot!

AUG

That's sheer madness. A thousand foot pool disguised as a lake. Thanks for the link. Whack!

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