Austin, Texas
We didn’t plan to go to Austin.
We’d been in Galveston, happy enough, and tried to extend our stay. That didn’t work out. So we decided to spend time in Austin. It seemed like a good place to land on our way to visit family in Tulsa.
We found a reasonable place and did the 4 hour drive north.
The Apartment
Our AirBnB was in an apartment complex — high ceilings, spacious, and it had a gym. The type of gym that invites you to work out.
We did. Several times.
Lady Bird Lake Trail
On Wednesday we drove downtown and walked part of the Lady Bird Lake Trail. Flat, paved, right along the water. Peaceful and easy. A good first look at the city.
A great blue heron stood perfectly still at the water’s edge, completely unimpressed by the trail traffic.
A great blue heron along Lady Bird Lake.
And a turtle was doing what turtles do best.
Sunning on a log. Living its best life.
Patrolling the Lady Bird Trail!
Puzzle Tradition
We walked to a nearby Goodwill. We had a mission. We did a puzzle at our last two stays and wanted to continue the ’tradition'.
We found one.
Breakfast at Paper Boy
Thursday: breakfast at Paper Boy, recommended by friends.
Very good. And unusual — the menu was genuinely creative.
Paper Boy — avocado toastado with a fried egg, and a Japanese pancake. Both excellent.
After breakfast, we rented bikes and rode the full Lady Bird Lake Trail — 10 miles — plus the Shoal Creek Trail, about 7 more.
Seventeen miles total.
Ben on the Lady Bird Lake Trail — Austin skyline behind him, 17 miles ahead of him.
We stopped at a coffee shop along the Shoal Creek Trail. A good day.
The Little Girl
The next day on our short 1.5-mile morning walk, something happened that we’re still thinking about.
A 2–3 year old girl was playing near her dad and friend. She spotted us. And she came running, arms up, straight to me.
I wasn’t sure what to do. She circled around, side-stepped Ben, and came back to me. Arms raised again. So I picked her up.
Her dad came over laughing, a little embarrassed. She went with him — reluctantly.
Dinner at Licha’s Cantina
That afternoon, Happy Hour at Licha’s Cantina — also recommended by friends.
Licha's Cantina — Pastor Quesadilla and Tinga de Pollo Sopecitos. Very good.
Excellent. Good food. Unusual options. I had Tinga de Pollo Sopecitos: corn masa cups filled with black beans, topped with orange chipotle, braised chicken and coleslaw. Ben had the pulled pork quesadilla.
A very good day.
Saturday: Radio East
We relaxed Saturday morning, then walked 0.7 miles to a coffee shop called Radio East.
Great place. Good feel. Pleanty of seating inside and out. Food trucks nearby. Live music starting at 5pm. They encouraged people to hang out. And they did! We enjoyed wonderful homemade chai.
We left before the music started.
Sunday: Daymaker Half Day
Sunday brunch at Daymaker Half Day.
Daymaker Half Day. So good!
Unusual and interesting choices on the menu. Ben had the huevos rancheros. I had the sweet potato bowl. All of it so satisfying. Lots of energy in the restaurant. Young professionals, young families.
We walked the Lady Bird Lake Trail a bit more.
The Puzzle
Keeping up our tradition of doing a puzzle during our week-long stays. This one was Cats and Mailboxes.
The Austin puzzle — completed.
This one was more difficult. The design on the counter didn’t help!
Next up: Pedernales Falls State Park — a day trip that earned its own post. Stay tuned!