There's a lot of things I can't stand about living in Austin. Ever burgeoning slacker population. Tip jars in front of every cash register in town. Having to pay for parking everywhere you go. Hip and cool bars, restaurants, lofts, and boutiques transforming Austin into Little Dallas. The Austin Chronicle-Pravda.
But ultimately, most of the delights of Austin continue to reward those who stay. July 4th fireworks at the Lake. The Paramount Summer Movie series, music festivals, art festivals, Zilker Park/Barton Springs, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the Yellow Rose. [Strike that last one].
And the blooming in February of the Texas Mountain Laurel trees. They fill the air with the most incredible "grape kool aid" smell for about three weeks. I'm thrilled that as of yesterday at the Town Lake (now "Lady Bird Lake") trail, the mountain laurel has begun to bloom. For those who've never smelled the mountain laurel bloom drifting through the air on a beautiful clear day like today, you have no idea what you've missed. Its something that every Texan should experience lots of times, but at least once. Its one of the many things that really lets us and those who live in the Hill Country legitimately be able to maintain that we truly live in God's Country.
Starting later this month, and on through the middle to end of April, a perfect weekend consists of waking up in Austin on Saturday morning, having breakfast at Kerbey Lane cafe or Sweetish Hill, driving in a convertible along Texas 71 to Marble Falls, having lunch at the Bluebonnet Cafe (HAVE THE PIE), driving on up to Llano on FM 1431 to Texas 29 (stopping along the way at Inks Lake), and spending the night in Llano after eating at Coopers BBQ. The next morning, go to the grocery store and stock up, then drive south on Texas 16 to the Willow City loop for great wildflower views, then continue on to Fredricksburg and either check out one of the many wineries, the Nimitz Museum, or the stores on Main Street. Eat at the Fredricksburg Herb Farm (Sunday brunch ends by 2, so go there first). Then come home on US 290, and if you have time, pull over at the Pedernales Falls State Park to check out the falls. All along this route, you'll see incredible displays of bluebonnets, paintbrushes, coreopsis, indian blankets, phlox, mexican hats, winecups, primrose, sunflowers, and thistle. Oh, and you'll thank God that its not covered in snow even though its April.
Next-Steroids. Really. Unless I see a daisy or something, I guess.
1 comment:
you should add the turtles basking by Lady Bird Lake and the lone guy in the skull quietly snaking along the water. POG, as my sister would say. (that's presence of God).
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