Steal a moment and look deeply into your next campfire. Watch as the final embers of the night take to the air and drift heavenward to join the stars. Last year, that sight might have stoked a tragedy – as the insult of the hottest Texas summer ever on record exploded into the injury of wildfires across the state.
This year, the elements are already more in sync, a lot less out of whack. The breeze is calm, water levels on the lakes are coming back, the sun has come out to play, and earth is serene and bursting with green. We thought a lot about these elements when we considered our recommendations for Central Texas fun. Earth, Air, Fire, and Water: that’s how we divvied up the essentials for these next few months. And if May’s weather is any indication, we may be in for a near-perfect Texas summer.
The Elements of Summer offers an assortment of options: from the hyperactive (challenge course, sports car rental, and zip line) to the tranquil (spa dates and rooms with a view), and some just right (horses! horses!) – all in an array of price ranges. Whichever element speaks most directly to your heart, get out there and make this summer fun.
Enjoy.
Many thanks to the folks at Travaasa for allowing us to converge with the elements (and our four talented models who represented them) and scamper across their gorgeous bit of Texas Hill Country for our photo shoot.
Styling: Coco Coquette; Photography: John Leach; Make-Up: Anna Lani Makeup; Concept: Kate X; Models: Jessica Kitty Buick/Water, Sassy Delure/Fire, Raven Hinojosa/Earth, and Fiona Robinson/Air; Wardrobe: Allyson Garro; Site: Brian Bastress/Travaasa and Liz Chapman/Giant Noise
This article appears in May 25 • 2012.