It’s that time of the year again! The Lake Buchanan-Inks Lake Chamber of Commerce just posted wildflower photos here.

Here’s a shot of Clear Creek Cove lakehouse bluebonnets:

Austin Business Journal notes that the low Lake Travis level, attributable to the Texas drought, has had a significant impact on lakeside business. We feel fortunate that Inks Lake is more or less constant level, and has been unaffected by the drought.

Inks Lake State Park offers several programs and activities this month, and October is a great time to visit!

Inks Lake State Park is located at 3630 Park Road 4 West. Entrance fees to the park are $5 for a day pass for those 13 and older or $4 a day if staying overnight. Admission is free for children 12 and younger.

Free programs — with park admission — include:

• Free fishing with the ranger, 5-6 p.m. Fridays: Free catch-and-release program with poles and worms provided. Meet at the park store.
• Hike the Hill Country, 1-4 p.m. Oct. 8 and 22: Challenging 4-mile hike with a Master Naturalist for experienced hikers. Bring water and wear closed-toe shoes. Meet at the Pecan Flats Trailhead.
• Stumpy Hollow Hike, 9-10 a.m. Oct. 15 and 29: Explore the wildlife, flowers, trees and more with a Master Naturalist. Meet at the Pecan Flats Trailhead.
• Texas Time Travelers, 2-4 p.m. Oct. 22: Special presentations by Trappers Jack and Wayne about fur trading, trapping and the life of early settlers.
• Creatures of the Night and Star Party, 6-10 p.m. Oct. 29: Meet and learn about life-size creatures, receive treats and gaze at the stars. Meet behind the park store. The park also will hold programs for a fee. Participants should pre-register or pay the fee at least a half-hour before the program begins.

These programs include:

• Geology Rocks, 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays. Cost is $3: Hike and learn about the geology and rock formations in the park. Meet at the park headquarters.
• Electric boat cruise, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays except Oct. 29. Cost is $16-$20: Sign up for the cruise at park headquarters and meet behind the park store. Pre-registration is required.
• Owl Prowl, 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 9. Cost is $3: Meet at the park headquarters for a guided hike about owls.
• Moonlight Paddle, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 8. Cost is $15: Meet at the park store for a guided, moonlit tour on the lake. Must be 18 years or older. Pre-registration required at the park headquarters.
• Canoe/kayak basics with tour to Devils Waterhole, 9-11 a.m. Oct. 15 and 22. Cost is $12 for adults, $10 for children 12 and younger: Learn the basic paddling, boating skills and safety. Bring water and wear sunscreen and water shoes. Kayaks and canoes provided. Meet at the shoreline by the park store. Pre-registration is required.
• Breakfast with the Birds, 8-10 a.m. Fridays. Cost is $16-$20: Enjoy a light breakfast and bird-watching boat tour on the lake. Meet behind the park store. Pre-registration is required.

To pre-register for programs, call the park headquarters at (512) 793-2223. For more about the programs, call the park naturalists at (512) 793-4689. For more about the park, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us.

Killeen Daily Herald has a story called “Looking for Peace and Quiet? Head to Inks Lake.” This is especially true in the fall and winter, when there are fewer recreational visitors to the lake. Clear Creek Cove has a lot of visitors off-season who have relaxation in mind, as well as folks who “fly south for the winter” from much colder climes.

Burnet County has published its Hill Country Holiday Calendar:

November

December

Above, a photo shot just yesterday of the newly-painted house at Clear Creek Cove. And below, a shot of our pier:

The lake was beautiful and relatively warm this weekend. We could’ve floated all day. The ducks were paddling around the cove, and turtles sunning on a rock. This should be a perfect summer.