Mount Bonnell: Post #1

My first visit to Mount Bonnell occurred relatively early in the day, around 10 a.m. Mount Bonnell lies high above the eastern edge of Lake Austin, effectively marking the beginning of the hill country and the end of the flat, sprawling coastal plains of the east. From the pinnacle of the formation it seems as if the observer stands above everything, with only several distant radio towers appearing higher. The sights are impressive, yet no single object stands out. The collection of the entire scene below serves as the most impressive feature.

Bare limestone, rocky gravel, cacti, native brush, and patchy grass are among the components of the terrain immediately surrounding the viewer. In the distance, limestone worn by years of erosion marks the western landscape while a flat, earthy surface appears to the east. Directly to the right of the vantage point lies a near vertical drop to Lake Austin. The ground high above is gently sloping, but the sharp incline above the lake, while beautiful, can prove a bit troublesome.

Homes, businesses, paths, roads, cars, people, bicycles- literally everything appears below the viewing location. An interesting aspect to note are the sights with respect to their directional orientation. Downtown Austin, three consecutive times the fastest growing metropolis in the United States, appears to the east. Westlake Hills and other neighborhood communities, small by comparison, are nestled in the hills to the west. The juxtaposition of the eastern/western views gradually seems to be symbolic of the prevailing ideologies of the greater US. The urban east coast often finds itself associated with the established. The west proves more often associated with the formation of the new, a space for growth and creation. Whatever the case, the sights are small yet they combine to form a unique picture- a true melting pot of culture, ideas, and progress.