07/19/2021
11/15/2020
the getaway part ii - austin in an airstream
Private Members Club
Instead of taking I-290 straight west to Austin I went North through College Station, home to the famous Texas A&M University. I didn’t stop or stay at the George Hotel which sits opposite the A&M campus and is fondly named after George H. W. Bush who though was not a native to Texas did, so it goes, have a strong bond with his adopted state. He also considered himself an avid Aggie supporter. Aggie is a term I’ve needed to recently google to get myself up to speed with what has become a common sight on Texas dating profiles! You guessed it, the football team.
In no time I found myself on South Congress Avenue, (highly recommend as THE area to stay in Austin) and pulled up a steep driveway flagged by a towering street sign that read SOHO House.
For those who know of or are members of this private members club, the headquarters for the Austin chapter happened to be on the property at which I was staying. Apparently, they also have new accommodation not too far down South Congress soooo calling all my Soho friends! A must explore the next time we find ourselves in ATX!
I was amazed by the little airstream jungle that was extremely true to size based on the AirBnB photos. I was met outside by a man I immediately guessed to be Miles, who was spoken of fondly on the reviews.
Yes, indeed it was Miles and after some small chit I learned he was an ex-Engineer, now full time care taker, general manager and visionary behind the upcoming renovations to the airstreams as well as two story adjoining house. He shared with me that (pre-Covid) the house and airstreams were often rented out together for weddings and events and have even been host to some famous country stars! Inadvertently my spine straitened and my lips pursed as a somewhat subconscious reaction happened in my body. Did I feel cool?
I opted for one of the less renovated airstreams solely because it had it’s own private deck lit up at night by lanterns strung through the trees with a very fitting and jungle like chandelier hanging over the outdoor table.
Fast forward to arriving airstream home the second night and I was posted up outside under the luxurious feeling jungle lights when I quickly swallowed the words I had spoken earlier that evening. I had been put in touch with some friends of friends and somehow we got on the topic of bugs. I had gone on and on about how I’d yet to be bothered by ANY bugs during my time in Texas. They found this to be unbelievable (and now I know why) and I I think I jinxed myself because as I sat that evening on the airstream patio I was basically eaten alive by mosquitos!
Note to those who follow, stock up on bug spray.
Ironically enough, when I stopped on the way to Navasota to pick up the BBQ lighter (for the coal that required lighter fluid remember?!) I also grabbed a can of bug spray which remained in the trunk of my car because in Navatosa (the woods in the middle of nowhere) there was not a bug to be found!
I recalled it was there, in the trunk…but honestly felt too lazy to hustle up the driveway to my car to retrieve it so instead stubbornly smacked and scratched and quickly finished up some writing and took my swollen red limbs into the Airstream to bed.
SOCO
Wall murals, musicians, boutique shopping, trendy patios, rugged cool tacos bars with lively live music filled the street and of course it led straight into the Colorado River. When trying to reference The River in conversation I kept getting responses back referring to this lake and that lake, before realizing that the Colorado River is in fact known as multiple different Lakes. I thought, “where in the world are all these lakes and how have I missed them?!” And then I hurriedly studied up on the map. Ok, so the lakes are the river.
I was ready for dinner and eager to follow recommendations from a friend who use to live in Austin and found it relatively easy to squeeze (table for 1) into restaurant without a reservation; sure, I was willing to sit at the bar!
I had the most amazing ceviche at the well-known Perla’s restaurant and a divinely exquisite hibiscus cocktail before sauntering the other direction down SOCO to find the equally well-known Love From Austin wall mural; snapping shots of any and all other charming murals along the way.
Gathering of Touching Lakes
I spent most of Saturday exploring the River (gathering of touching Lakes), walking the trails, lounging, people watching and doing yoga at the park, reading and truly taking in the buzz of the city. I also made sure to prioritize a strategic burger pick up at P-Terry’s Burger Stand on the way out of Zilker Park. The night before on the phone with my brother I had gone on about desperately wanting a burger (yup that’s right, on our not so frequent long-distance calls to Asia I make good and sure he’s all up to date with my food adventure plans!) He was in full support.
Maybe these are normal cravings for a German-bred-meat-eater-gone-fallen-off-the-wagon -vegan? He also kept me company as I tried (my appetite won out on this occasion) to wait up for the bat magic, which we’ll be coming back to.
The same friends of a friend who had proven their point (even if they didn’t know it) about the Austin bugs had extended me an invite for some afternoon pool time at a condo overlooking the lake and I popped by to say hello.
As I took in the stunning views, I learned how much of a tech giant Austin was becoming. These guys knew everything that was happening in the city as they pointed out where googles new office was going up, and debated on whether the one R8 zoned (aka low-income housing) building left standing between new high rises would remain standing. It was all very fascinating, but knowing I wanted to catch the bats for real this time! I excused myself before sunset heading back in the direction of The Safari (my suitably named air stream).
As the story goes, Austin has a long history with bats and more than a million that call the South Congress Avenue bridge, home; the largest urban bat colony in North America.
Between mid-March and early November just before sunset you’ll find the bridge and surrounding area packed with people waiting to see this bat magic. The bats start their mass exodus (known as one of the most spectacular tourist attractions in the United States!) from the crevices under the bridge that keep them tightly huddled and warm (no it wasn’t cold, but these guys barely have meat on them so snuggle they do).
It was dark by this point and I was straining my eyes but if I focused hard enough, I began to see! Helped occasionally by the headlights of passing cars and the massive flash lights pointing up from the boats below as owners did their best to give their customers a good show. Talk about show boating.
(I know you laughed out loud just a little bit don’t lie).
What came into focus was a steady, and I mean steady and what felt like endless, stream of bats exiting the bridge for their night hunt. I’ve never see anything like it!
Fun fact: Each year the bats give back to Texas by consuming more than four million pounds of insects!!
The experience must have expanded my awareness because one day when back in Houston as I walked the same path I’ve done for a year at the Buffalo Bayou Parkway I stopped near a similar bridge which low and behold held a similar sign dedicated to similar information about Houston bats! I also now very clearly know the smell of bats. As you walk under the bridge on the pathway you almost have to hold your breathe some days…but! They are good for the ecosystem so bats, you just do you!
Love, Heal and Inspire
I felt accomplished with my short visit in Austin and knew I’d be back, especially for Franklins BBQ! I can barely tell anyone I went to Austin and DIDN’T wait in line for Franklins! Oh the shame.
I did though find the perfect Organic breakfast spot right down the street from my city jungle and finished off my stay with this divine invention of the well known smoothie bowl in the form of a fruity nut filled protein packed Bliss bowl from Sunlife Organic and washed it down with a good old kombucha. Bring it on Sunday.
Not only was there a Lotus flower sign appended to the store, and a sign on the back wall that said Love, Heal and Inspire (in bright fluorescent pink) but outside sat this massive all amethyst chair imported from Brazil! This was my spirit store; I was just giddy with joy.
Star Struck
People I met told me that all Texans say they want to live in Austin; it’s just a matter of finding work. Well I’ve jumped on that band wagon quite quickly and well – I want to live in Austin! Plus, I AM in the tech space, kind of, what does the future hold?!
Speaking of tech, as I shared a farewell with Miles I touched on my long held career supporting Oracle and he informed me that the Oracle campus was only a short drive away on my way out of town and that the grounds were worth checking out.
I was slightly intrigued and since I wasn’t in a huge hurry I made my way there. I didn’t see any country stars, but I suddenly felt a little star struck! The last big Oracle work hoorah I attended was years ago in Florida, and with the most recent one I was supposed to attend in Vegas being cancelled due to COVID, I made the most of it and snapped a number of photos which I immediately sent across in my teams WhatsApp chat.
I laughed as the jokes started coming in on the chat and sat on the hill on the campus overlooking a pond and the River/Lake across the street and people watched all the young up and coming Oracle gurus.
Isn’t life interesting.
Until next time Austin.
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Comments ( 7 )
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stay on topic
07/17/2019
English
So entertaining. Now I want to visit Austin as well as Nashville !
Yes! We will one day =) xoxo
It is fun, interesting, following you vicariously while you go through your experiences. Takes me back to some of my travel adventures. Wish now, I had written more during those trips and of my immediate experiences.
It all fades… in time.
So good you are journaling, writing, keeping the blog going.
I am a big fan
It does fade quickly! You can always start now =) Maybe things will start to come back xox
Oh how I love reading about your adventures! Your writing is divine and you sure do inspire my beautiful friend!
You are lovely! Thank you thank you, I’m so grateful to have you by my side, ish, remotely xoxo
Just retreading some of your travel adventures. Oh to be on “ the road again !” WONDERLUST, will you ever fade… ?