let the weird showdown begin
Austin! Where we had about four measly hours one evening... Where I took the opportunity to mock a light rainshower by looking up at the sky and asking, "IS THAT ALL YOU'VE GOT, TEXAS?!", at which point an hour-long heavy thunderstorm ensued, shortening our time even more... (Never ask that of Texas. Never.)
Anyway. Friends gave us some helpful tips so we crammed as much in as possible:
we ate amazing BBQ at Green Mesquite
we saw the bats
we got a little homesick
we camped at McKinney Falls State Park ...
... just 15 minutes from downtown
And we did get the draw. Unlike most cities we've visited we found Austin to be easy, comfortable, familiar. We wished we'd had more time - but we were also glad to leave because we could've easily blown our tiny budget on good food and amazing music. We had to save some funds for both of those things in Portland.
We'll see you again someday, Austin... Onward!
My friend just got back from Austin and she said the music scene was really fun. I've heard that Austin is kind of like Portland in that we like good food and their food scene (so I hear??) is really good too.
ReplyDeleteYep... really wish we'd had ample time and funds to do Austin right. At least we got a good feel for it, and we know we want to go back someday!
DeleteI love Austin! It is a little like Portland in the South, but the two cities definitely have their own distinctive "weird" culture :) That bat fight sign is hilarious.
ReplyDeleteThe bats are so cool! It poured rain that night so they didn't come out until after dark, but it was still an awesome sight.
DeleteAh! So great! That BBQ looks amazing. That, alone, is enough to drag my bum down to hot Texas. Thanks for sharing, cheers!
ReplyDeleteGreat food, we hear. Much more next time we go. :)
DeleteAustin is such a great city!! Sounds like you're having a lot of fun. Enjoy that delicious BBQ. So good!
ReplyDeleteThanks Erin! We're actually back in Portland temporarily right now, I'm just catching up on posts from our May/June road trip. And yes, missing all that BBQ. I hear Russell Street's in NE is pretty good - we'll have to stop by there sometime soon. :)
DeleteAustin is one of those cities I've always wanted to visit, for the music if nothing else. I just wish it wasn't in Texas: our vacations tend to fall in the summer, and it's way too hot there then for me!
ReplyDeleteYes, I usually don't do southern heat well either. At least it's a dry heat. :) Definitely sad we missed the music this time but it gives us a reason to go back someday!
Deleteis that the Congress Street bat bridge? my homeless buddy Dave sleeps near there. should have told me you'd be there. he would have shown you around. he knows every free or cheap thing there is to do there.
ReplyDeleteYep, that's the one. Too bad we couldn't connect with Dave, we could've used his input. We'll be back someday and I will definitely let you know.
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