It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Mercer Street Historical Marker gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Dripping Springs, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“I am a past client of this provider Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with.”
“For those who are searching for qualified caregivers for their loved ones, contact Ken Thomas”
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“My experience with these amazing home care professionals is as close to perfect as it gets! I have a dear friend that is in hospice and needed a little extra home care. Ken, the owner, was fast to respond to my call and started home care right away. I can't say enough good things about my experience with Always Best Care Senior Services' staff and owner.”
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“I work for this team and it's a wonderful team , great communication and support for our clients, their family members and our caring team of staff .”
“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff was so caring to my mother and so nice to my family I highly recommend them to take care of your loved ones. I think there ought to be more than just five stars to give them”
“I am a past client of this provider Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with. They were able to provide my mother with care and a very short notice. Their staff was some of the most caring people that I've ever met. Not only were they wonderful to my mother but also to my family. I would highly recommend using them.”
“For those who are searching for qualified caregivers for their loved ones, contact Ken Thomas at Always Best Care Senior Services. Mr. Thomas provides an authentic and professional guiding hand when discussing available services for your precious senior family members. When it is time for a beloved senior to receive assistance, Mr. Thomas understands the importance of providing trustworthy and quality support.”
“Ken leads his Always Best Care Senior Services Agency with compassion for his clients and their families. He is a local senior care expert and leader in his community. If you are need of assistance in navigating your local senior care options, then do not hesitate to give Ken a call!”
“Kenneth is kind, patient, experienced and knowledgeable. We are thankful to him for all his efforts and for going above and beyond.”
“Very professional and welcoming people so I would definitely recommend my friends and family to Always Best Care in Boerne.”
“The owner is so understanding and supportive of how I want my loved ones cared for. He and his staff actually listen to what I would like done for my parents. Very thoughtful, very professional and very caring. It’s such a relief to have help in caring for my loved ones”
“Kenneth is knowledgeable and trustworthy. I can’t recommend him enough. You’re in good hands with Kenneth.”
“ALWAYS BEST CARE is certainly a warm & caring business owned & operated by Ken Thomas. I certainly would recommend them for you or your loved ones excellent care.”
“I will be forever grateful for the love you showered upon us and my grandmother”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Veterans Memorial Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Epicure or visit Charro Ranch Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Dripping Springs, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Dripping Springs, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Dripping Springs, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Summer is just around the corner, which means school districts will let students out for the break. Parents looking for camps for their children have a number of options to choose from in Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs. This list is in alphabetical order and is not comprehensive.All-Star Sports CampART + AcademyArt Camps at Cordovan Art SchoolThe Art GarageATX Ballers Fun Summer Basketb...
Summer is just around the corner, which means school districts will let students out for the break. Parents looking for camps for their children have a number of options to choose from in Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs. This list is in alphabetical order and is not comprehensive.
All-Star Sports Camp
ART + Academy
Art Camps at Cordovan Art School
The Art Garage
ATX Ballers Fun Summer Basketball Camps!
Austin Eco Bilingual School
Badgerdog Creative Writing Summer Camps
Banyan Forest Summer Camp
Bee Cave Arts Foundation Summer Art Camp
Brandy Perryman Shooting Camp Inc.
Camp Drip
Camp El Ranchito
Camp Headwaters at Springs Campus
Club SciKidz Austin
Coyote Kids Nature Camp
Crayola Imagine Arts Academy Camps
Creator Camp
Drumset Boot Camp for Beginners at Oak Hill Drum Studio
ESTEAM Learning Labs
Game Worlds
iCode Summer Break Camps
INIC Spanish Immersion Summer Camp
Jump! Gymnastic Camp Jump
kidsActing Studio
KidStrong South Austin
Mad Science Camps
McKinney Roughs Nature Park
Meteor Theatre
Moxie Gymnastics Summer Camp
OnStage Ready
Rock-About Kids Climbing Camp
The Sated Sheep
School of Design and Creative Technologies at UT
Shalom Austin JCamps
Snapology
Type: education
Ages: 5-14 years old
Dates: May 27-Aug. 22
Cost: $295-$455 per week
Sportball Austin
Steve & Kate's Camp Austin—South
Squishy Banana Studios Film Camp
St. Michael's Prep Summer Camps
Teen Girls' Summer Boxing Clinic
UTeach Outreach at UT
UT RTF Media Camps
UT Sports Camps
UT Sports Medicine Camp
Wet and Wild Adventure Camp
Young Rembrandts Summer Drawing Workshops
Elisabeth joined Community Impact in October 2024 and covers all things Austin ISD, Dripping Springs and Hays County. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in journalism in May 2024. In her free time, she enjoys going catching live music in Austin, watching movies and doing art projects. Send tips, feedback or questions to [email protected].
Government Reporter
Haley joined Community Impact in September 2023 after graduating with a degree in journalism from Texas State University. As a student, she worked as a data journalism intern for Texas Community Health News covering statewide health topics. Haley reports on Travis County and Austin-area transportation news. Reach out with questions, tips or feedback at [email protected].
Editor
Elle joined Community Impact in November 2022 and is the editor of the Central and Southwest Austin editions of Community Impact. She previously covered Austin ISD, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and all things Dripping Springs as a reporter. Elle graduated from St. Edward's University with a degree in communication and minors in journalism and Spanish. As a student, she served as editor-in-chief at Hilltop Views. Prior to CI, she interned at Austin Woman. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @byellebent.
Government Reporter
Ben joined Community Impact in January 2019 after graduating with a degree in journalism from Northeastern University in Boston. He spent more than two years reporting on Montgomery County and The Woodlands area before moving to Austin in 2021 to cover City Hall and other news throughout the city. Contact Ben with questions, tips or feedback at [email protected], and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BThompson_CI.
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Daily news about your community is free, and your support is invaluable.
Give $10 now towards CI's journalistic mission across Texas.
Attend concerts, donate to a nonprofit, learn to garden and more with these upcoming events in South Austin and Dripping Springs. This list is not comprehensive. Events are subject to change.Amplify Austin DayOrganized by the nonprofit I Live Here, I Give Here, the 24-hour event invites residents to make donations through AmplifyATX.org where they can choose from 700 nonprofits to support by keyword, cause or location.SXSWThe annual South by Southwest Conference and Festival will ...
Attend concerts, donate to a nonprofit, learn to garden and more with these upcoming events in South Austin and Dripping Springs. This list is not comprehensive. Events are subject to change.
Amplify Austin Day
Organized by the nonprofit I Live Here, I Give Here, the 24-hour event invites residents to make donations through AmplifyATX.org where they can choose from 700 nonprofits to support by keyword, cause or location.
SXSW
The annual South by Southwest Conference and Festival will bring the latest in film, TV, technology, comedy, music, innovation and more to Downtown Austin and the surrounding area.
Sips & Sounds Music Festival
Headliners Halsey, Khalid, Benson Boone, AJR and more will perform at this year’s Sips & Sounds, presented by Coca-Cola at Auditorium Shores.
Get Your Garden Space Ready for Spring: Container Gardening
Travis County Master Gardeners will be at the Austin Public Library Menchaca Road Branch to teach attendees the 6D's of Container Gardening, providing advice on how to grow plants in containers. A plant swap will follow the presentation.
Austin Feel Good Makers Market
Austin Feel Good Makers Market will be at Dripping Springs Distilling to showcase local vintage and handmade small businesses. Guests can shop from plants, clothing, candy, baked goods, stationery, art, bath and body products, and more.
Plant Swap
Vista Brewing invites plant lovers to bring their houseplants, veggies, seeds, cuttings, flowers and more for a plant swap. Guests will be able to order from the brewery’s brunch menu.
Rodeo Austin
Taking place at the Travis County Expo Center, Rodeo Austin events include a fair, a barbecue competition, a livestock show and concerts featuring country music artists Ella Langley, Braxton Keith, Randy Rogers Band and more.
Wildflower Spring Market
Texas Market Guide will be at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park & Event Center for a spring market. Vendors will sell clothing, jewelry, home decor, garden gifts, accessories, art, candles and more. Attendees can bring a nonperishable food donation for Helping Hands Dripping Springs.
Sunset Valley Holi Celebration
The Sunset Valley Arts Commission will host this event at Sunset Valley City Hall to celebrate Holi, a Hindu holiday known as the Festival of Colors that celebrates the start of spring. Attendees are encouraged to wear white or light-colored clothing.
Skip the Small Talk at Moontower Saloon
The East Coast-founded organization Skip the Small Talk will host an event for people to get out of their comfort zone by opening up and connecting with strangers. Similar to a speed-dating event, attendees will be paired up and given psychology-backed question prompts.
‘Hamilton’
Texas Performing Arts will present “Hamilton” at Bass Concert Hall. The story follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway.
Time Travelers Vintage Expo
This market at the Palmer Events Center will have a variety of vendors selling retro items including vintage clothing, home goods, handmade items and more.
Features Reporter
Sarah is a features reporter for the San Marcos/Buda/Kyle and Southwest Austin editions of Community Impact. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in journalism in May 2023. She worked for the school's student-run newspaper, The University Star, for three years in roles such as life and arts reporter, life and arts editor, and managing editor. Before joining CI, Sarah was a health reporting intern for Texas Community Health News at Texas Public Radio in San Antonio. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading fiction books, listening to music and spending time with her family.
Thanks for reading!
Daily news about your community is free, and your support is invaluable.
Give $10 now towards CI's journalistic mission across Texas.
How about a soothing Lone Star soak?You can find a little bit of everything within the state of Texas, which spans over 260,000 square miles. However, amongst the Texas beaches, mountains, hills, lakes, and parks, you might still be surprised to learn that there are hot springs, too.While you might have to travel out to West Texas or ...
How about a soothing Lone Star soak?
You can find a little bit of everything within the state of Texas, which spans over 260,000 square miles. However, amongst the Texas beaches, mountains, hills, lakes, and parks, you might still be surprised to learn that there are hot springs, too.
While you might have to travel out to West Texas or Texas Hill Country to find them, the few hot springs found in the Lone Star State are soothing geothermal anomalies worth a visit, boasting constantly refreshing temperatures for swimming alongside warmer temperatures for soaking.
Here are the 5 incredible natural springs in Texas to visit and enjoy a soak.
7 Natural Hot Springs In The South For A Good Soak
01 of 05
Ruidosa, Texas
Chinati Hot Springs, also known as Ruidosa Hot Springs, is a rustic hot spring resort hidden in the Chihuahuan Desert near Marfa, Texas. The property was originally built by famed sculptor Donald Judd, and now the privately owned and operated resort features eight cabins along with the outdoor hot springs pool and soaking tubs. (Only guests are allowed use of the springs.) The water varies between 104? and 109?. chinatihotsprings.net
02 of 05
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Also sometimes referred to as Big Bend Springs or Boquillas Hot Springs, this hot springs system can be found in the majestic Big Bend National Park in West Texas. These hot springs used to be housed in the stone bathhouse of J.O. Langford, a homesteader from the early 1900s, who inspired the system's namesake. The water, which has flowed in the area for centuries, sits around 105? all year. You can explore the rest of the park and its many trails while you’re there. nps.gov
03 of 05
Austin, Texas
You don’t have to venture far out into the wilderness for this experience. Located in the heart of Austin within Zilker Park, this well-known gathering spot isn’t piping hot, but instead a warm 70? all year long, making it ideal for both summertime and winter. In fact, it’s a popular morning exercise swim spot even during fall and winter months. Depths of the pool range from zero to 18 feet, and there’s a diving board on site. austintexas.gov
04 of 05
Spicewood, Texas
This 115-acre property is in Spicewood, around 30 miles from Austin. It has been privately owned by the Krause Family for over 50 years and resides on the National Registry of Historical Sites. There are 32 springs on the property, and many keep around a mellow 70?, which offers pleasant soaking and swimming for milder, cooler months in Texas. There are campsites available for those wanting to stay overnight. krausesprings.net
05 of 05
Presidio County, Texas
Another geothermal anomaly, Capote Springs is a group of springs situated about an hour outside Marfa. The area also contains the state’s tallest and largest waterfall, Capote Falls, a 175-foot waterfall with roaring waters. The springs have an average temperature of around 99?. However, it's important to note that these springs are now under private ownership, so you must receive permission to access from the landowners.
Dripping Springs – Magic, the power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces. At least, that’s what the dictionary says it means. But for magician John Magic, it means so much more. “This place here came out of my sweat and blood, this place,” said Magic. “This place almost cost me my family.”John was born and raised in LA but moved to Dripping Springs in 2005 after a magical career in Hollywood. “I started when I was 19,” said Magic. &ldq...
Dripping Springs – Magic, the power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces. At least, that’s what the dictionary says it means. But for magician John Magic, it means so much more. “This place here came out of my sweat and blood, this place,” said Magic. “This place almost cost me my family.”
John was born and raised in LA but moved to Dripping Springs in 2005 after a magical career in Hollywood. “I started when I was 19,” said Magic. “I worked in film shipping at Disney when I first got started, and I worked on huge $200 million movies. And it was successful for me, very.”
Having the name Magic didn’t hurt. “If you’re in the movie business, if you got any kind of hook, it helps,” said Magic. “And I had the perfect one.”
Towards the end of his time in Hollywood, John wasn’t as enchanted with the business as he once was, but he still had a soft spot for sleight of hand. So he decided his retirement plan would be to open his own theater and museum on the backroads of Dripping Springs. “God, with his grace and mercy blessed us. You’re sitting in it, you see the outcome of it,” said Magic. “We just finished performing 11 straight years here at Magic’s Theater. So that’s a big deal. I mean, no one works that long and that steady, even in magic.”
So what exactly led Magic to love magic so much? “I was in the business already in the studio,” said Magic. “I couldn’t sing. I couldn’t dance. I was the first generation to grow up on television. I was born in 1953, so television was a big deal. I saw Jack Goldfinger. Goldfinger, the first Afro-American magician I had ever seen, and I saw Walter Zaney Blaney from Kingwood, Texas. Walter had created the greatest levitation trick in magic. He fooled every magician. No one knew how to do that trick but Walter. No one knew how it worked but Walter and I saw him do it. And then I saw Jack perform and it was kind of hip. It was Motown music, doing card tricks and stuff. And so for some reason, I had never seen the moment in a trick before until I saw Jack, and then I saw magic for the first time. It left an impression on me that I had to know how that worked.”
John was persistent in his pursuit of magic and would hone his skills right when he got off of set. “I practiced 12 hours a day for a long time and then I worked at the Magic Castle, which was rare,” said Magic. “I was probably the third Afro-American to perform there ever. And I remember before I performed there, I practiced 12 hours a day for about 30 days on the same 20 minutes. Just 20 minutes. Because you couldn’t make a mistake. You had to be perfect. I would invite the crew and the actors and everybody to the Magic Castle and it blew their mind because they’d go, ‘We didn’t know you were a real magician. We just thought your name was John Magic.’ It’s a moment where you go ‘ta-da.’“
Cards aren’t the only thing John has stacked, he also has an ensemble of artifacts dedicated to magic. From torture chambers to tributes to the past, you’ll find all sorts of fascinating props that lead to his big theater. Unfortunately the big theater doesn’t fill up as frequently as it used to. In his time of being a magician, John has seen spectators go from being enamored with his abilities to focused on other things during the performance. “It gets hard. Kids shows are hard,” said Magic. “Kids today, their attention span is short. They’re rude. They talk during the show. Their parents don’t tell them to be quiet. I remember my wife being floating in the air in the most beautiful levitation you’d ever see, and her head is laying here and her ear is here, and this whole row of kids are talking the whole time we’re doing the illusion about just anything but our show. I felt like they don’t deserve it. And it’s sad for the kids that did deserve it, but there’s a lot that they’re on their phone or whatever, and I’m thinking, ‘wow.’”
Turns out the audience can make all the difference. “When it’s good, it’s good,” said Magic. “When you got the right audience and all the props are working. I always kid at the end of a show, I got through another one. I think the most important part is the right audience.”
These days, Magic has adjusted the show to be a bit more intimate. “Up close and personal, and it’s not a kid family show,” said Magic. “It’s adults. I put in a lot of energy finding the best material, and I’ve accumulated a show from all over the world. Here, you’re two feet away from the magic. So the only way to see it is up close.”
In magic, it’s always what’s in the background that you miss. The little touch or extra something that sometimes seems so minute, yet plays such a huge role in the performance. For John, that something is his son Adam. Who unbeknownst to me was playing a bigger role in all of this. “Adam’s the best,” said Magic. “He’s the greatest son. He’s helped me every show. He was backstage every show. I owe him so much. I do. I’m sorry. He was a little kid. He’d be carrying the light and he was always… this Magic’s Theater is as much Adam’s as it is mine.”
Being able to get lost in a little magic always seems to make smiles appear. It’s fun to let go of notions of logic and just be amazed at how a quick sleight of hand or even something harder to explain can bring so much joy into so many people’s lives. “Thank you for coming to Magic’s,” said Magic. “Thank you very much.”
From urgent care clinics to auto repair shops, check out the latest business updates in Dripping Springs. This list is not comprehensive.Now openTexas MedClinicThe walk-in clinic is now offering medical services in the Belterra shopping center. Services include treatments for mi...
From urgent care clinics to auto repair shops, check out the latest business updates in Dripping Springs. This list is not comprehensive.
Now open
Texas MedClinic
The walk-in clinic is now offering medical services in the Belterra shopping center. Services include treatments for minor emergencies such as cuts, broken bones, allergies, stomach aches, fevers and more. The urgent care center also offers rapid COVID-19 testing, silica exposure exams and drug tests at the Dripping Springs location.
Mercer St. Taproom
Family owned and operated, the business offers 18 beers on tap at the taproom on Hwy. 290. Mercer St. Taproom features a rotation of craft beers from across Texas, as well as countries such as Japan and Brazil. Domestic beers are also offered. Co-owner Jay Moreno said the space is also curated to be family and dog-friendly, including kids drinks and snacks, an outdoor area and a playground.
Coming Soon
Christian Brothers Automotive
Locally owned and operated by Mark and Sweta David, the national full-service auto repair shop will open a new location this spring in Dripping Springs. The shop will offer services such as oil changes, check-engine light fixes, full engine replacements and more. All makes and models are accepted. Round-trip courtesy shuttle service for pick up and drop off are also available for customers within a 15-mile radius of the business.
Roxie’s
Opening on Mercer Street, the new restaurant by The Salt Lick BBQ will feature family recipes and southern dishes on the menu, such as fried chicken, mashed potatoes and cream corn.
In the News
Gourmet Gals Catering and Events
The catering and event service business is under new leadership from Audrey Fisher. Fisher acquired the business in February and is working to grow the business in South Austin and Dripping Springs, she said in an email. Gourmet Gals is a full-service catering and event planning company that provides services for events such as weddings, corporate functions and social gatherings.
Elisabeth joined Community Impact in October 2024 and covers all things Austin ISD, Dripping Springs and Hays County. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in journalism in May 2024. In her free time, she enjoys going catching live music in Austin, watching movies and doing art projects. Send tips, feedback or questions to [email protected].
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