On February 2nd I visited the 360 Bridge overlook with my dog, Wrigley, and my roommate. This was the first of many trips I plan on taking to the 360 Bridge (also known as the Pennybacker bridge) because it was absolutely gorgeous. If you have never been to the 360 Bridge overlook, it is an area where you park alongside the North Capital Texas of Highway next to a giant rock formation. After you park, you begin the trek to the top of the overlook area. The climb to the top of the overlook is steep but short. It took us about two minutes to get to the breathtaking view of Austin. The top of the overlook is made up mostly of rock surrounded by shrub and trees. One sight that caught my eye was a single tree hanging off the edge of the overlook. The trunk was a light gray color and it appeared to be growing out of the rocks. I was surprised to not see any animals; however, I assume this is because the overlook is located directly next to the 360 Bridge traffic and it was a fairly cold day outside. We got up to the top around 5:50 and it was around 50 degrees and cloudy. The view was absolutely amazing. The lake water was so still it could have been mistaken for glass. The trees made reflections in the water made up of browns, dark greens, and oranges.
As you sit on the overlook, your eyes are drawn to two things most obviously. The first is the lake down below. Town Lake is one of the best natural qualities of Austin, and a focal point, especially if you are in the heart of the city – downtown and its surrounding areas. The second thing your eye is drawn to is Pennybacker Bridge. Because we went at five o’clock, rush hour traffic was in full effect. There was a never-ending line of cars the entire time we spent at the overlook. The natural beauty of the area, compared with this, was a very natural example of extreme opposites in the same environment. The irony was not lost on me.
“The trophy recreations has peculiarities that contribute in subtle ways to his own undoing. To enjoy he must possess, invade, and appropriate. Hence the wilderness that he cannot personally see has no value to him. Hence the universal assumption that an unused hinterland is rendering no service to society. To those devoid of imagination, a blank space on the map is a useless waste; to others, the most valuable part” (Leopold 176). This quote relates so well to Austin, Texas in my opinion. As the city continues to grow and expand at a very rapid rate, there continues to be thoughtfulness in preserving nature spaces throughout the city. The 360 overlook is a perfect example of this, as well as, Zilker Park, Barton Springs, Town Lake, the greenbelt. All of these areas are located within the city limits, so Austinites are never too far from a natural getaway. Now that the city has made a point to preserve some of the city’s natural beauty, the effort is left up to the people.
