Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Petting Zoo.

Today, we are visiting the petting zoo at Lakeway City Hall. We will also see a new method of grass and weed control employed by the City using goats. Corner Restaurant of Austin is catered for us, and Julie Felix is our entertainment.

Menu

Avocado Toastcilantro, rustic bread, spicy seeds
Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Fritters –  caramel apple, whipped cream, candied pepitas
Smoked Salmon Toastcaper whipped cream cheese, pickled onion, arugula, rustic bread
Greek Yogurt Parfaitgrapefruit curd, almond granola, vanilla bean, fresh berries
Steel Cut Oatsalmonds, dried fruit, caramel apple
All Americanscrambled eggs, crispy breakfast potatoes, bacon or pork sausage, sourdough toast
Chipotle Pork Chilaquilesranchero sauce, chunky pico de gallo, over easy egg, cotija, tortilla chip
Thick-Cut Bacon & Eggs Bennyoven-roasted tomato, grilled asparagus, classic hollandaise
Rise N Shine Burritoscrambled eggs, chorizo, bacon, tomato, salsa, queso, crispy potato
Prime Steak And Eggsflat iron, chimichurri, pickled onion, crispy potatoes, over easy egg
Chorizo & Egg Tacoegg, chorizo, bacon, pepper jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo
Egg White Omeletspinach, mushroom, sun-dried tomato, feta, salsa roja, crispy breakfast potatoes, sourdough.
There’s the bus. Let’s go. You might have to double up on the seats.
There’s the sign. We are close.
A livestock trailer means we are really close now.
Goats and sheep.
Pigmy goats to the right
A pony and a donkey.
Four baby pigs.
The children are arriving.
Refreshment tents.
Games and ice-cold drinks.
Tables for relaxing.
Craigo’s pizza.
Shave ice.
The event is sponsored by the Lakeway Parks and Recreation. Behind the table, you can see a fence that will keep the soon-to-be-released goats busy in the underbrush and not tempted to wander off.
Take a closer look at the fencing put up to contain the goats. Yes, the goats are rented, and the fence is electric. The goats know all about it and avoid it.
The goats just released into the underbrush.
Here is a photo released by the City, giving you a clear view of the goats at work.
That concludes our tour. It is now time to relax with the food and enjoy the music. I hope you have a super week.

86 comments

  1. Jaye Marie & Anita Dawes's avatar

    I wonder if we will see goat grass management over here in UK?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is becoming very popular here. It is a cost effective way to handle underbrush management in greenbelt areas without a heavy carbon expenditure.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jaye Marie & Anita Dawes's avatar

        Somehow, I can’t see it catching on over here, John. Farmers are having trouble hanging on to their sheep over here…

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Why is that? Stealing?

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Jaye Marie & Anita Dawes's avatar

          we call it rustling over here, and I believe that it originated in the US…

          Liked by 1 person

        3. John W. Howell's avatar

          Well the term certainly did.

          Like

  2. Darlene's avatar

    Those goats have an important job to do. Such a great idea.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It seems to be a great way to help everyone. The trees, the air, and the goats.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. GP's avatar

    I always love an animal post, John!
    I’m usually a steak and eggs type person, but today, I’ll try the avocado toast, please.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I had that yesterday for lunch. (I made it myself) Good choice.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    That’s sure a nice event for kids or grandkids, John. Parents or grandparents would sure enjoy having the young ones entertained, even be entertained themselves.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I thiink the whole family would enjoy it. I did see some grandparents there. Thanks, Tim

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen M. Plano · ·

    Wonderful event, John! Your piglets look a lot sweeter than Arizona’s javelina piglets. I’d like to pet yours, while I run from ours. Enjoy the day. 🌞

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      We have Javelina’s in Texas as well. They are nothing to fool with for sure. Thanks, Gwen.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Cool event. I’m surprised they let people pet pigs. Those tend to be a no since they can bite fingers off. Maybe just the adults though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      The babies aren’t as obsessed with food yet.

      Like

  7. srbottch's avatar

    One All American breakfast and a side of steel oats, please. Another spirited community activity in Lakeway. Very impressive. I recently read elsewhere that a town either was using or considering the use of sheep/goats to ‘cut’ the town lawns. Certainly would be quieter.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      And better for the environment. Thanks, Steve.

      Like

  8. Marcia Meara's avatar

    You always have such interesting events happening in your area, John. Love the goats being put to use doing something that please THEM, too! And that pony is so adorable, it makes me wish I had one, too!

    Thanks for sharing, and hope your day is going great!
    😊❤️😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is going well, Marcia. I hope yours is doing the same. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. The goats were very happy.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more's avatar

    Wow, John! You really have a well-organized city. Events like this are great, and with all the different offers fantastic to promote the community. Please enjoy a nice rest of the weekend! xx Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Michael. I hope you enjoy what is left of the day too. 😁

      Like

  10. noelleg44's avatar

    What a fantastic place for the children, and I do want to ride that bus! The goats are great for getting rid of long grass and shrubs – they eat anything! Better than a lawn mower or a scythe!

    I would enjoy that omelet!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think the goat idea was a good one. They took to cleaning that brush like it was a gourmet meal.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Dale's avatar

    Once again, your town has give the residents something wonderful to experience. Using goats to mow is such a wonderful movement. We have a few places in Montreal where they do that, too. Wonderful!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It really makes sense. What is interesting too is goats love poison ivy and it doesn’t bother them.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale's avatar

        That’s doubly brilliant!

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    I love the song!! I hadn’t heard it before. It reminded me of Woodie Guthrie’s “Riding in the Car.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is a fun one. I like Woodies too.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    How wonderful! Kiddos love getting to touch and feed the animals. Love the song. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It was a nice event for sure.

      Like

  14. D. Wallace Peach's avatar

    Nature’s lawn-mowers and brush-removers, John. How fun to make an event out of the experiment. I still enjoy petting zoos at my age. 🙂 Thanks for taking me along.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Always good to have you along, Diana.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Debbie's avatar

    What a great idea, using goats as grass mowers! I’ve often thought about it, of course, but I suspect my city neighbors might frown on the practice (and I imagine the Monk would be beside himself unless I let him out to herd the goats!) Petting zoos like this remind me of county fairs here — I trust somebody got those critters back indoors (or at least under some fans) before they wilted, though!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yeah they had plenty of helpers keeping them cool.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Dan Antion's avatar

    That sounds like a great little event, John. I’ve read about places using goats to clear ground and brush. They do a good job.

    I’ll go with the All American. The sourdough toast did it.

    Like

  17. coldhandboyack's avatar

    They do a lot of this around here. We have goats right in town along the main drag today. They’re clearing a ditch bank.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They do a great job.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Tails Around the Ranch's avatar

    Squeals…we love goats! They’re adorably cute and they are also very hard workers. That was a great petting zoo, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks Monika. In my younger years I had a hobby farm and had Nubian goats. They were the cutest.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Tails Around the Ranch's avatar

        Oh yes, they are such characters and those ears…too cute!

        Like

  19. thomasstigwikman's avatar

    That is a great petting zoo. Our daughter loved petting zoos when she was little. The breakfast looks great too. You have a lot of fun outings in Lakeway.

    Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Thomas.

      Like

  20. Book Club Mom's avatar

    I love goats! They are so fun to watch. Looks like the event has all things covered 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It was great, Barbara.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. jilldennison's avatar

    I do love the V-dub bus, but it sure is crowded in here! Standing room only! AIR … I need air! Okay, I must have an order of the Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Fritters … yeah, I know … an extra dose of insulin, but every now and then …

    Ahhhh … such adorable animals. Thanks for the thoroughly enjoyable Sunday morn, John!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m glad you enjoyed the tour, Jill. Yes the bus was a little crowded. The other one was in the shop so we had to make due. Those fritters are to die for (protect yourself) 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. jilldennison's avatar

        I wondered … I was hoping the old bus hadn’t finally bitten the dust! This one was cute, though! I can still taste those fritters … gonna have to get their recipe! Have a great week, John!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          I’m having a sauna installed in the bus so it was out of commission for a while.

          Liked by 1 person

        2. jilldennison's avatar

          Oooohhhh … a sauna on the bus! That should be fun!

          Liked by 1 person

        3. John W. Howell's avatar

          Goes with the plunge pool.

          Liked by 1 person

  22. Teri Polen's avatar

    The animals are adorable! I remember taking the boys to petting zoos when they were little. And I can’t decide between pizza or avocado toast – maybe I’ll just have both.

    Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think both is the way to go. Thanks, Teri.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. circadianreflections's avatar

    That looks like a fun event for kids big and small! Hopefully the goats cleared some brush too. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They took a day to clear out the area we saw. Amazing.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Resa's avatar

    Love avocado toast!

    It is important for children to touch animals.

    🐷🫶 🐹🫶 🐮🫶 🐰🫶

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes it is. It teaches them to be kind. I 🫶 your emoji line up. 🐖 🐖 🐖

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Resa's avatar

        Yes, and thank you!
        🐖 OX 🐖 OX 🐖

        Like

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          🐂 🐖 OX 🐖 OX 🐖 🐖

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Resa's avatar

          Oh man! Hmmm?
          I do believe it’s OX mate for you.

          Liked by 1 person

        3. John W. Howell's avatar

          OX mate. I love it. 🏆

          Liked by 1 person

        4. Resa's avatar

          We are playing a unique game of our own making! 🏆

          Liked by 1 person

        5. John W. Howell's avatar

          I wonder what the name of the game would be? Emoji Enigmas maybe.

          Liked by 1 person

        6. Resa's avatar

          Maybe… Sounds good.
          Semaphore Emojis (Emojiphores)
          Emoji Mysteries
          Emoji Jeopardy

          Liked by 1 person

        7. John W. Howell's avatar

          I like Emojiphores

          Liked by 1 person

        8. Resa's avatar

          Emojiphores it is!

          Liked by 1 person

  25. Ilsa Rey's avatar

    What fun! I love animals. And using goats to graze is brilliant. How fun that we both had an old VW bus in our posts!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I saw your VW and thought how funny that we both did that. Great minds think alike. (Sadly fools seldom differ either)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ilsa Rey's avatar

        Heh. Too true, John. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  26. Jennie's avatar

    Delightful! The baby pigs are adorable. I read that goats help by eating away the brush in the National Cemetary.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That would not surprise me at all.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Jennie's avatar

    Simon and Garfunkel’s “At the Zoo” is another great zoo song.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I thought of that one but there doesn’t seem to be a live version. I try to have live versions on my Views posts.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie's avatar

        No live version, that’s surprising.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          That is what I thought.

          Liked by 1 person

  28. Sorryless's avatar

    Looks like it was a good time had by two and four legged friends. And is that a life-sized Connect Four game?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It does look that way. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  29. kethuprofumo's avatar

    Interesting idea, dear John! We are returning to nature!🍻🍤🍤🍤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think so too. Thanks, Maria. 🥂🍰

      Liked by 1 person