Road Trip! The ole 300D should be broken in well from the engine rebuild I'm doing right now and this sounds like a good first trip.

Is this get together going to be one day long or the weekend?

In addition to Lake Belton, take a look at McKinney Falls State Park just east of Austin - this is one of the crown jewels in the state park system. Centrally located in TX, easy access from IH 35 (about 3 mi.), picnic areas, camping, group facilities, restrooms, etc., etc. But, the best part is the uniqueness of the park - the falls, clear running water from Onion Creek, unique geology, lots of nice trees, hiking, old structures from the original settlers, swimming, etc., etc.

I am not knocking Lake Belton, but McKinney Falls is another place to consider. TXBill, perhaps on your way through Austin you could check out McKinney Falls also (assuming you're coming from Houston on 290 and then going north on IH 35 to Temple).

If everyone is a bit more adventurous and wants to see a bit more of the Hill Country, then Lake Travis is also a choice place. Located about 20 miles west of Austin, Lake Travis has many of the same amenities as McKinney Falls and Lake Belton, but also has some really nice views of the lake and surrounding hill country from the park at Mansfield Dam.

My, very cheap, $0.02 cents worth!
Tom

__________________
America: Land of the Free!

1977 300D: 300,000+ miles

American Honda: Factory Trained Technician & Honor Grad.
Formerly:
Shop Foreman;
Technical Advisor to Am. Honda;
Supervisor of Maintenance largest tree care co. in US for offices in Tex.