As I weave my way through the parking lot of the Travis County Expo Center, the first thing I feel is the drum — deep, resonant and pulsing through the crisp November air like a heartbeat. A chorus of sounds and sensations draws me closer: singers call out in harmony, voices and laughter drift through the breeze. Color catches my eye as dancers adorned in feathers, shells and beads jingle and chime their way to the arena. This is more than a gathering; it’s the Austin Powwow, one of Texas’ largest single-day celebrations of Indigenous dance, song, craft and community.

Located in the D/FW Metroplex, Cedar Hill State Park is the perfect place to dip your toes into all things outdoors. This park is an urban oasis for flora and fauna alike, resting at the confluence of rolling tallgrass prairies and jagged limestone escarpments. Hundreds of years ago, native grasses filled the prairies, while an ancient cedar forest covered the escarpment. By the mid-19th century, agricultural settlements began to populate the area, with remnants of the Penn Family Farm still nestled within the park's 1,826-acre property. If the history and trails aren't your thing, Joe Pool Lake offers a 7,740-acre haven for swimmers, anglers and those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Whether you're looking for a day trip or a weekend adventure, Cedar Hill State Park offers an experience for everybody to enjoy.

AS WAVES BREAK on the sands of Mustang Island in a relentless whisper and crash, and as pink-purple sunsets cast the glow of Texas' last light onto the Franklin Mountains, state parks offer experiences that transcend the ages. Is it a fool's errand to try to capture time? Texas State Parks figured out a way, with an assortment of modern artifacts and a pecan box.

Inspiration begins with a fallen tree and a mission for a more sustainable future. At least that’s true for Devin Ginther, founder and CEO of Texas Urban Sawmill. Devin and his team at Texas Urban Sawmill, a family-run small business, balance social, environmental and artistic responsibilities while furnishing some of Texas’ most visited public spaces.It All Begins Here