The most visited place while living in Austin is undoubtedly Lady Bird Lake.

It looks like a river, but this lake is actually an artificial reservoir created by damming the Colorado River.

It was created when the Longhorn Dam was built in 1960, and its original name was Town Lake.

In 2007, it was renamed after Lady Bird Johnson, the former First Lady, in her honor.

Although the water in Lady Bird Lake looks clean, it can be dangerous to just jump in because of the heat.

Swimming is prohibited here, and if caught, you could face a fine of up to $500.

People often wonder, "Why can't we swim in such a beautiful and calm place?" but the reasons are understandable.

Since this lake is an artificial reservoir created by damming the Colorado River, you can't see where concrete debris, trees, and metal might be, and the currents are much more complex than they appear from the outside. Therefore, it can be difficult to rescue someone in case of an accident, and there have been drowning incidents in the past. For these reasons, swimming is strictly prohibited.

Anyway, the famous Ann & Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail runs all around here. It stretches a whopping 10 miles (about 16 km)! Moms walking with strollers, college students jogging, and men biking... it's filled with people all day long. After dropping the kids off at school, I also feel refreshed after taking a lap around.

Water activities are also a must. The water is calm, making it great for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). However, motorboats and jet skis are prohibited, so the atmosphere is always peaceful.

Next to the lake is Zilker Park, and Auditorium Shores, where many music performances take place, is also nearby. In the summer, you can even see bats flying out from under the Congress Avenue Bridge! It truly captures the essence of Austin in one scene.

In spring, wildflowers bloom by the lakeside, and many birds come flying in, making it hard to express how grateful I am to encounter such nature in the middle of the city.

This lake is not just a tourist spot; it is a place of relaxation for the people of Austin. Some run along the forest paths, some lie on the grass reading books, and on some days, just listening to music while feeling the breeze by the river brings peace of mind.

In summary, Lady Bird Lake offers sights, walking paths, and kayaking experiences, but it lacks swimming opportunities.

You can enjoy non-motorized water activities like kayaking or paddleboarding to your heart's content, and walking along the trails while feeling the breeze is truly the best, but if you think about swimming, it's best to let that go. When coming with family, it's good to remind the kids when they say, "Mom, I want to get in the water!"

It is both a river and a lake, a space that feels natural yet man-made. It holds the past, provides rest in the present, and contains the future. Therefore, for us living in Austin, Lady Bird Lake is not just 'water' but the very essence of leisure that nourishes life.