All Blog Entries by Janis Penick

We love the area we live in and truly enjoy sharing our favorite spots with long time residents as well as those that are new to the area. There is so much to see and do in our area that we don’t want anyone to miss out on something just because they haven’t heard of it before.

One of our favorite places to shop and pickup delicious takeaway meals is The Royal Tomato in Smithville. They offer a great variety of local and specialty grocery items that you will enjoy along with daily takeaway meals if you need a night off from cooking or never want to cook again.

Their produce, meats and other items offer excellent quality that you will appreciate. With a wide variety of unique items, this is also a great place to pick up a gift for a friend or grab

If you are a fan of adventure, this is the race for you. Grab a friend or two for a full or part day race that will test your strength, endurance, skill and push you to your limits with three or more activities for your team to participate in.

Three different levels of races are available allowing groups of varying skill to participate. From the sprint race expected to last a minimum of three hours to the extreme adventure race that will last a minimum of 14 hours, groups of two or three participants will bike, paddle, trek and enjoy surprises and and extra tasks in the longer races.

Plan for fun and adventure in the 17th annual event. This is not for the recreational adventurer but will present an exhilirating challenge for well-trained individuals

Winter weather can be harsh on everything including your roof. Freezing temperatures, strong winds, rain, snow and ice combine to make winter the worst time of year for extensive water damage. The cycle of water freezing and melting causes roofing to expand and contract, creating gaps that can leak and may sometimes go unnoticed. Older homes or those with poorly designed or constructed roofs are the most vulnerable, and even the smallest amount of damage can add up to an expensive repair quickly.

Our area doesn’t regularly see substantial buildup of snow and ice but a good rain with some wind may allow water to blow between shingles and later freeze if the temperatures drop. Make sure to visually inspect your roof regularly and have a professional take

We love the area we live in and truly enjoy sharing our favorite spots with long time residents as well as those that are new to the area. There is so much to and do in our area that we don’t want anyone to miss out on something just because they haven't heard of it before. 

One of our favorite places to show visitors to the area is Fisherman’s Park. Fisherman’s Park is one of Bastrop’s most popular parks and it offers many activities to enjoy. The park runs along the Colorado River ensuring something beautiful to see every time you visit. Adjacent to the Bastrop Public Library makes it the perfect spot for an afternoon adventure. Start with a trip to pick up books then head outside to enjoy yourself.

The park offers covered pavilions, a playground,

The Texas Lost Pines Riding Club is hosting Family Ride Nights each Saturday from 6:00-11:00 p.m. These evenings are casual, fun and free to the public. Bring the whole family out for an evening of riding and enjoyment throughout the year.

These ride nights are great for all ages and offer a free event to anyone in the area. If you enjoy horeseback riding but don’t take enough time to enjoy it, this is a fun way to do it in a group setting while making friends that enjoy it as well.

The Texas Lost Pines Riding Club plans events and activities year round to encourage the love of horses in youth and has been around for more than 50 years.  

When: Saturday evenings, 6:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.

Where: Texas Lost Pines Riding Club, 186 Highway 95 S,

If you have been thinking about buying a new home, now is the time to make that a reality. Over the last year, home values have seen above average appreciation making this the perfect time to invest. Mortgage rates are extremely low, which will allow you to purchase more home at a lower long term cost. Before you jump into looking at homes, you will want to spend a little time thinking about the kind of home you will purchase.

What you Want

A media room? A three-car garage? A large lot? Good highway access? If you really want it, write it down. This isn’t about what you can afford, this is about what you would like to have if you could get it. You want to make a list of all the things that would make a new house perfect for your life. Don’t add

Build your dream home while embracing this beautiful golf course view! The 0.25 acre lot overlooks the 8th fairway of ColoVista Golf Course with panoramic views in the distance. The golf course is owned by POA, under professional management and open to the public with optional memberships available. This lot includes lawn service for a fee of $100 per month leaving your weekends free for golf and other activities. The Mansion at ColoVista is close by and provides a great place to host events, weddings, meetings and parties.

In addition to golfing, the community offers a seasonal pool with available memberships and it is open May-September. Walking trails and tennis courts are part of the community too. If you are looking for something different, you

If you are ready to sell your luxury home, it may be a new experience for you if you have never sold a home before or your last home sale wasn’t a luxury home. Buyers of luxury homes often have different expectations then the average home buyer. Preparing your home with these expectations in mind will ensure a smoother process and that your home appeals to those luxury buyers. To appeal to the right buyers, you will need to be extremely attentive to detail and will definitely need the assistance of a real estate agent with significant experience in luxury home sales.

Making Preparations

It is common practice to clean a property prior to showing. With a luxury property, it’s not enough just to clean the home; it needs the white glove treatment. Every

When a new year starts, it is important to start off on the right foot. There is no better way to start off 2021 on the right foot than with a hike on the first day of the new year.

Head to McKinney Roughs Nature Park on January 1 for this year’s hike. Enjoy a hike with a guide or invite your family and friends to join you for this kick start to the new year. Whether you are an experienced hiker or a novice, a hike on the first day of the year can be a great way to start the year fresh and enjoy the beautiful area you live in.

If you don’t live local to Bastrop, look for a first day hike in your area. Many communities offer first day hikes in their local nature trails and parks. Find more information about the McKinney Roughs Nature Park First Day

Every new year, many of us commit to better health and wellness, but what if this year we don’t just better ourselves but also better our homes. Make a commitment in the new year to care for your home and therefore enhance your greatest investment.

Now that we have entered the winter months, it’s time to pull out your to-do list and start crossing off some of the items listed. If you haven’t looked at your to do list in a while, take a fresh walk through your home and see if there is anything new to add to your list. Note any small things that could turn into big problems. Be sure to check everything, from cracks in the ceiling to regular maintenance items that need to be addressed. Scan all of the walls, floors, ceilings, appliances, doors and