In Chicago, we were lucky to have family straight down Pulaski and just around the lake in Western Michigan. Allegan is a hamlet of a town and my folks live in the middle of the woods – it’s pure and fresh and beautiful.

Now that we live in Austin, we’re fortunate for a similar set up. Our extended family is here in town and San Angelo is almost the exact same distance for us to travel to see the ‘rents. The commute is a bit different – the Texas Hill Country offers views second to none (sorry, Gary, IN).

But it’s more than beauty along the road. San Angelo is a cultural hub of western central Texas.

To understand that fact you must consider the far western counties. Some have as many as 2,000 people in them (yes, the whole county). It’s barren, the land is cheap and there is dirt forever, interrupted once by gorgeous mountains.

By comparison, San Angelo is huge at 88,000 people. There are sports teams and shopping and nice restaurants – everything you might travel hours to experience.

There is a rich tradition of military use of the land around San Angelo, and Buffalo Soldiers were even trained at Ft. Concho. Livesotck is the primary money mover, including sheep and lambs and cattle.

I’ve made several cycling friends in San Angelo, and the state park is a mecca for nature lovers and mountain bikers who enjoy dozens of miles of trail that change with the seasons.

The Playground Trail offers nice views at the top.

I often find myself resting under big live oak trees on the north end and calling loved ones to catch up. It’s very serene.

We’re fortunate to have San Angelo and her rest-filled days, swimming-filled afternoons (see Katie and PJ diving here – Facebook login req’d) and peaceful nights. They help us forget the big city and lawn care and neighbors and bills and jobs.

And much like Allegan and Kalamazoo, San Angelo is a place that some people might not consider as more than just a stop along the road. But if you experience them in further depth, you’ll guaranteed to uncover a hidden gem that’s just waiting to be found.