When the hot summer sun beats down on the Lone Star state, Texans head to New Braunfels. Less than an hour south of Austin, this German community is filled with water sports ranging from wading to white water rafting guaranteed to cure those hot weather blues.

The land that is now New Braunfels was first called "The Fountains" by local Indians because of its crystal clear springs. These springs drew the city's founder, Prince Carl of the Solms-Braunfels region of Germany, to the area in 1845. With his group of immigrant farmers, the Prince began the community of New Braunfels, named for his homeland. The leader never quite got over his fear of Indian attack: he insisted on wearing an iron vest for security every day!

The city has never forgotten these ties to the old country. German is the main language in many local homes, and every fall the town hosts Wurstfest, one of the largest German festivals in the country.

But during the summer months, it's water, not wurst, that's king in this hill country community. New Braunfels boasts two recreational rivers, the Comal and the Guadalupe, the largest water park in the state, glass bottom boat cruises, waterskiing, rafting, inner tubing, canoeing, and more ways to beat the heat.

The beautiful Comal River holds the title as the world's shortest river. It may be small, but the Comal packs a lot into its two miles. The headwaters are the Comal Springs, one of the largest springs in the state. Downstream, the river flows through Landa Park, a 300-acre center for family picnics and gatherings.

Cool off with a dip in the park's 1.2 million gallon swimming pool, fed with spring water. There's a glass-bottom boat ride nearby where you can have a look at the varied aquatic life.
Tubers also enjoy a thrilling ride through "The Chute" in Prince Solms Park. To maneuver around the dam in the river, part of the Comal is diverted through the chute, where tubers of all ages enjoy a breathtaking swoosh from the deeper water above the dam to the shallower water below.

You can also enjoy the Comal at Schlitterbahn, which means "slippery road" in German. This resort and waterpark takes its beauty from from the natural-looking, man-made rides and from the Comal River, which supplies 24,000 gallons of spring water to the park every minute. The parks holds several records: the world's first swim-up refreshment bar, first family wave pool with maximum four foot depth, first continuous wave surfing ride, and first professional competition on a man-made wave. It's also the world's largest tubing park, with over 10,000 inner tubes from which to choose.

Schlitterbahn offers rides for every age, from the steep 60-foot Schlittercoaster and the mile-long Raging River tube chute for daredevils to a 50,000 gallon hot tub with a swim-up bar for the less adventurous. You're welcome to bring along a picnic and enjoy the tables scattered throughout the park and along the riverbanks.

New Braunfels is also home a much longer recreational river, the Guadalupe, one very popular with inner tubers, rafters and canoeists. They find miles of cypress-shaded river that includes straight, calm stretches for families and beginners, as well as white water for thrill seekers.

The waters of the Comal are cool, but the Guadalupe River is downright chilly. With an average water temperature in the mid-50s, it still doesn't deter tubers who frequent the businesses that line the River Road, a scenic drive that winds for miles along the riverbanks.

For just a few dollars, a river outfitter will set you up with an inner tube and take you to one of the drop-off points on the Guadalupe. From there, you can drift downstream for hours. Many tubers carry along an ice chest, tied to a tube, and spend a half day with their legs dangling in the cool, emerald green waters. The outfitter will meet you at a predetermined point at the end of your journey.

When you're ready to dry off, you'll find that New Braunfels has a host of historic, shopping, and dining opportunities. Shoppers will be delighted to learn that they're in the "Antique Capital of Texas," with dozens of shops located in town and in neighboring Gruene. Once a ghost town, this community now boasts numerous antique shops, a winery, the oldest dance hall in Texas. And for bargain hunters, New Braunfels is home of Mill Store Plaza, a collection of factory stores.

You can also cool off in the Natural Bridge Caverns, a cave with wide, well-lit trails, beautiful formations, and natural air-conditioning! Adjoining the caverns, the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch offers you the chance to view native wildlife such as Longhorns and white-tailed deer, as well as exotics such as ostriches, zebras and gazelles.

Whatever your interests, grab your swimsuit and sunscreen and head for New Braunfels. And, unlike Prince Solms, feel free to leave your iron vest at home. You'll find the natives are very friendly.

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