Disappear Into Nature

Reflect on nature at new Central Texas mirrored glamping retreat

Both glamping options have floor-to-ceiling windows that look like mirrors from the outside.

Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

Just in time for unbearable temperatures around San Antonio, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has introduced a cooler glamping solution. Opened mid-May, the Ööd Mirror Houses are LCRA Parks' newest accommodations at Lake Bastrop South Shore Park, less than a two-hour drive from Alamo City.

Bloom House Bastrop Glamping can still include s'mores with a private outdoor fire pit.Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

Operated by Cameron Ranch Glamping, these two luxury houses are tucked away in the park's Lost Pines region, surrounded by trees and miles of tranquility.

Both these pet-friendly homes include floor-to-ceiling mirrored glass walls, so guests can look out into nature with complete privacy, from both passersby and mosquitos.

Both The Hideaway and The Bloom are 221 square feet and are equipped with a queen memory foam bed, full bathroom with walk-in shower, dining area, Wi-Fi, kitchenette, record player, and perhaps most importantly for this time of year, air conditioning. In the winter, the structures will be heated.

Hideaway House Interior Both mirror houses include memory foam queen-sized beds, WiFi, A/C, and more. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

No matter how glam it gets, guests can still enjoy classic camping fun like roasting marshmallows in their personal outdoor fire pit, or firing up the grill for some burgers. Plus, Lake Bastrop offers paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, areas for fishing, trails for hiking and biking, mini-golf, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, and a charming camp store.

Interior kitchen area Kitchenettes come equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, and cooking equipment. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

Guests can also leave the park and make the 10-minute drive to downtown Bastrop to grab a bite, a drink, some groceries, or catch some music or a movie. (Who can really say what the rules of glamping entail?)

Bloom House The two mirror houses are within walking distance to the swimming areas along the lake. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

The Ööd Mirror Houses are now available to book online. Rates vary by day, starting just above $200 per night before fees, and increasing to more than $300 before fees during certain times. Find the campground at 375 S. Shore Rd., Bastrop.

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To the Pyramids and Back Again

Travel back to ancient Egypt at stunning new Texas VR exhibit

Graphic courtesy of Horizon of Khufu

Glowing avatars of other guests make the VR experience less lonely.

An acclaimed virtual reality (VR) "journey" is bringing ancient Egypt a lot closer to San Antonio. Horizon of Khufu will make its Austin debut on December 5 at VieVR (11000 Middle Fiskville Rd., Ste. A1), an experiential holographic center north of downtown.

San Antonians could be excused for shrugging off VR experiences as something to seek out and pay for, but Horizon of Khufu is quite the production, reviewers say. It's a long one, clocking in at 45 minutes, and it counteracts the lonely, body-less experience of VR by giving each participant a glowing figure to represent them to others in the virtual world.

Participants will take a trip on the Nile with a cat guide. Horizon of Khufu preview graphic

"Not all VR experiences are worth the money, but Excurio has elevated it to an art form by evoking myriad emotions, the most genuine path to fostering empathy and amplifying the shared human experience," wrote Forbes contributor Natasha Gural.

The Paris-based team at Excurio says it's worked with more than 90 artists and experts developing its five "expeditions" so far. The team for this one included Harvard Egyptology professor Peter Der Manuelian and his team at the Giza Project, a digital archive that allows researchers to recreate the pyramids in 3D.

Horizon of Khufu is named for the Pyramid of Khufu — commonly known as the Great Pyramid of — the largest pyramid in the world at 479 feet high, or nearly 45 stories. Guests will "fly" over the Plateau of Giza, look off the top of the pyramid in every direction, explore the corridors and burial chambers as an embalming ceremony happens, check out the Queen's chamber, and travel on the Nile River to attend the funeral of Khufu, Egypt's king in the 25th century BCE.

The experience doesn't just happen in the pyramid.Horizon of Khufu preview graphic

A press release says it is important to Excurio that the experience is as accurate as possible as a reconstruction. And as important as the educational angle is, it doesn't hurt that the graphic design is beautiful, with moody sunsets, wide-open panoramas, and a friendly cat for a guide.

Horizon of Khufu will be hosted next to Zoocade, a holographic zoo that sidesteps some of the ethical implications of keeping live animals and shows off some prehistoric species, too.

The experience contains lots of cinematic shots.Horizon of Khufu preview graphic

Tickets for Horizon of Kufu ($36 for adults, $32 for children) are available via Fever. People with limited balance may not be able to participate, as walkers and canes are not allowed, per the developer's website. However, the ticket website for the Austin experience says all attractions are wheelchair-friendly.

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