Aaron and I have just started to recover from our amazing trip to Austin, Texas. Lots of our friends thought we were crazy taking a vacation to Texas...like it was some sort of punishment, but they would be totally wrong.
We picked Austin back on "Cyber Monday" when the airfare was cha-eeeep! We debated LA vs San Fran and then at about the same time Aaron said, "I've never been to Austin. You?" "Nope. Let's book it!" And just like that we were off!
A is for Amy's Ice Cream
The first night we found the local ice cream chain. There's better ice cream around, for sure, but there's not better service. We received our many samples and eventually our sundaes from a college student who was dressed like a giant strawberry..."because I was bored and the costume was just sitting in the back". I don't know about you, but my work doesn't have a strawberry costume in the back. Hmmm....
He put his heart in it for sure.
He put his heart in it for sure.
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A is for Amazing Signage
The signs in Austin look totally retro. A local informed us that these are actually only about 10 years old. That's what some urban revitalization will get you. The "So Con" (i.e. South Congress Street) area was totally fun, hip and full of fabulous signs.
A is for Art and Art Stuff
In addition to cool signs, SoCon had tons of art, crafts, independent boutiques, music and food ....and food trucks. An entirely different thing than just plain food.
We spent hours...and I mean HOURS looking around in shops like this...PACKED with vintage, antiques and just crazy stuff hung everywhere. We loved it!!!
This particular store had an entire area full of sock-monkey adoptees. Some of them were quite loved or worn or old or all three. They each have a personality. Sock monkeys are like that, I think. You can kind of see into their socky soul.
A is for Aaron:
This is Aaron trying to look into my socky soul....no luck though.
This is the Austin skyline. In spite of being a little baby-city, it had TONS to offer.
We spent one day at the Lyndon B Johnson Presidential Library. It's currently being updated, which it is in need of. As we checked in the women behind the counter told us that there were exhibits on several floors of the library and "don't forget to stop on the fourth floor where the animatronic LBJ tells jokes and funny stories". I said, "Animatronic!" and she said, "Oh yes!! Just up on the fourth floor!"
Then with equal enthusiasm she said it again...and again...and again, to everyone in line.
The animatronic LBJ had all the charm of 1970's Disney display. Or maybe Chuck E Cheese. You could see where his finger had fallen off and had been taped back on. Like I said...it's being rehabbed, but they should keep ALBJ. Clearly, he's a fixture in the library.
That said, we learned a lot. We can thank him for oodles of civil rights legislation, not to mention Vista and Job Corps and Medicare!
A is for Anner and Bronze LBJ:
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A is for Audubon:
We even saw buzzards flying about.
A is for Architecture:
We toured the Texas state capitol. Two observations about the capitol - 1: they were big into symmetry and 2: they stamped "Texas" or "Lone Star" on anything they could (including the door hinges)!
Interesting thing about the capitol. If you bring your "concealed weapons" permit with you, you don't need to go through the metal detector. If you're a tourist with barely a purse on you, like me and Aaron -- plan to be all but stripped down and stared at with scorn as you walk (maybe several times) through the metal detector. Not 100% sure how that all adds up.
The capitol is beautiful. We even watched a little bit of testimony in one of the chambers.
A is for Adorable LaCasita
We stayed in this guest house while we were there. It was super-duper cute, art on the walls, comfy bed, spotless, and an organic chocolate bar awaited us. Pretty darned nice. The owners live a few yards away and are just home from their round-the-world trip (count me jealous!). They were kind enough to share their RTW stories with us. The next time we're in Austin we will definitely stay here again!
A is for A++++
That would be our grade for an Austin vacation! You should do it. And take us back with you. :)
