Austin, TX Part 1

I was in Austin for work Tuesday through Saturday last week and took some time to explore.  I had heard there is a lot to see and do there...and there is.  There is also a lot of crazy traffic.  That part I did not enjoy.  

 

 The first night I ventured downtown to Lady Bird Trail.  It's an awesome trail that goes about 11 miles around Town Lake. 

 I spent about an hour and forty five minutes there.  I tried running but mostly walked because there were so many areas to stop to take photos. 

 By the time I got back to my hotel to take a shower this was my total steps for the day...pretty sure that's my record since I've owned my FitBit. 

Night two I ventured to Brushy Creek which has a "trail" however in order to hike the actual trail you have to hope the water is low enough to cross.  I did not get that into it and just took some pictures of the areas I could get to without getting wet. 

 After Brushy Creek I went to the Arboretum which is a shopping/eating area.  I stopped by an ice cream shop and had a Banana Pudding shake which was a nice appetizer for dinner!  I was pulling out of the shops when the colorful Tervis store sign caught my eye.  I drove around to circle back and entered the mecca that was the Tervis store.  So many choices but the two above were what I walked out with. 



Finally I was ready to find some food and found a recommended Tex-Mex place and thoroughly enjoyed some sour cream enchiladas.  It was a good night.   

 My last night there I wanted to hike Mt. Bonnell however...it was raining slightly and everyone at work recommended I not take the risk of slipping off a cliff.  I was leaning towards agreeing with them.  So instead I went to Zilker Botanical Garden.  I had a blast walking around the garden.  It was almost empty since it wasn't the best weather.  It was only $3 to get in and totally worth it.  The structure above is a window from and old home.  I tried to take a selfie with it...worked better in theory.

 The coolest part was the Woodland Fairy trail.  Cutest little fairy homes throughout the trail.  There was sparkly pixie dust involved.

 Yes, I did throw a penny down here and make a wish.

 I mean a tire swing.  Really?  #details

Then on my way out I saw this and thought "oh cute, lovebirds!"  Yeah.  Not real.  They got me.  After the Gardens I found Trader Joe's.  Score.  Got a sample of Peach Moscato.  Delicious.  I may be going back for that.  The woman there told me anything I wanted to try she'd open for me.  What?  That's a dangerous thing to offer up.  I'd like to try it all.  After purchasing banana chips and cookie butter sandwich cookies at TJ's I went off to Pei Wei where I picked up dinner for the 3rd night out of 4 nights that week.  Having the Pei Wei near my hotel where I am staying is going to be very nice.  I'll be heading back there Saturday and staying a few weeks for training.  (hopefully all the flooding will be subsided by then) Plenty of time to see what else Austin has to offer.