Travel

[Alter Ego]

Small confession - when I'm bored, I plan trips. So, when I decided I wanted to go away Easter weekend, I had a few preexisting ideas and the blooming bluebonnets quickly won.

After watching the weather for weeks beforehand and looking forward to 80 degree temperatures...it was disheartening when the 50/60's gloom showed up when I would be there. Outfit choices were replaced and I was ready to go. Landed on Friday to rainy weather. Picked up my rental and was on the road to Leander for my first tour - Jason Weingart Texas Bluebonnet Photography Tour.  We were given a pickup location and met at 4pm for a five hour tour (cut a little short because of the rain - which blessedly stopped as the tour started.)

The other people on the tour were all from Texas and came just for the tour (in fact, one would be driving home to San Antonio that night). I took one other photography tour in a previous trip and had one on one assistance with my photos.  Here, we were just driven to locations to take pictures.  I'm guessing the owner/guide may have helped me if I asked, but frankly the other guests were just using their iPhone. Is possible that you could find good photo opportunities yourself; worth it for me to not have to worry about it. Need to watch for fire ants and snakes.

Like I said, we ended a little early as there was no good sunset.  This ended up being great for me as I made my 9:15pm reservation to Arlo Grey, Kristen Kish's Austin restaurant (For Top Chef and Fast Foodies fans.) 

Austin has gooood bread.

burrata starter (with incredible bread!)

Swordfish 

matcha and pistachio ice cream cake 😍

[Alter Ego]

A couple days beforehand, I received notification that my Saturday morning tour was cancelled as the guide was sick.  This would have been the Weird Austin tour that I found on TripAdvisor/Viator.  Happy to say that I was quickly refunded.

This left me with a free morning and, since I had a car, drove to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Although I got there I thought relatively early, the parking lot was full, but there were plenty of parking on the street.

the "official" greeter, Athena the owl.

I often try to find a food tour when I'm in a new city.  At 1pm, I had to meet for my Austin Downtown Walking Tasting Tour with Secret Food Tours. Really a great tour with good food.  Great way to spend an afternoon!

Veracruz All Natural migas breakfast taco (one of my favs)

Coopers Old Time Pit Barbecue (another fav - the photo doesn't do Justice; definitely had more than what I'm showing)

JuiceLand

Oops - forgot to take photo when it was full...

Velvet Taco - think this was the Korean taco.  This was many people's favorite, but it's a chain and there used to be a location in Chicago (wonder if still there post Covid?)

The last two was at a food court that was near where we started. Broth filled dumplings and cheesecake

We also took a break from eating and walked into the beautiful Driskill Hotel

I still had more planned for the day - may be the highlights of my trip...

[Mindy D]

@Alter Ego @A magnificent photo journal. It looks like you had a great time. You've made me crave some migas this morning. 

[On It]

@Alter Ego Sorry about the less than ideal weather. From your photos it looks like you made the grand tour of Austin a success. You have some beautiful photographs to cement your memories.

[Alter Ego]

Is anyone watching "The Last Thing He Told Me" on Apple TV? When looking for things to do in Austin, I ran across a boat tour for the Austin bats. I recalled the bats from reading the book and remembered that it seemed like a pretty big deal.  And it was pretty great - although photos suck!  LOL. But, I definitely recommend. One hour boat tours are around $15. Reservations are required as they sell out.

We had a pretty funny captain.  High rises along the river - or, as he called them - invasive species from California.

A gentleman on my boat brought masks to share. He would also bark out comments in the "Batman voice".  You had to be there - added to the fun.  In the photo, you can see everyone along the bridge. There were also crowds along the river bank. 

Videos are great.  Photos are horrible! The small (9 centimeters) bats blend into the background when I try to show them.  Nevertheless, this photo will show the crevices that the bats will raise their offspring. Their population grows to 1.5million bats each year - the largest city bat population in the world. Mexican free-tail bats are seasonal and can usually be seen March through October.

Embarrassed to post this, but only way to see them!

Finished the night at Red Ash Italia. Hard to get reservations - they were booked weeks in advance.  I checked day of and was able to snag a place at the counter last minute.  Soooo good. Recommend.

[Alter Ego]

My trip was coming to an end.  Since my Weird Austin tour was cancelled, I knew I wanted to make time for one last stop that was included on that tour.

And look at this cute little patisserie next to it!

But, I didn't have time to stop here.  I had already planned one last meal before leaving for the airport.  My research brought me to Snooze for their pancake flight.

It was actually really difficult to choose what to have.  But, when I saw someone with pancakes nearby, I had to have them. I was not disappointed!

And that was it.  My whirlwind tour of Austin! 

A few of the murals found around the city

[Alter Ego]

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Austin and had zero complaints about the hotel itself.  If you planned on driving everywhere, then it's a great choice.  But, I wouldn't stay there again.  I would stay on the other side of the river for easier access to the restaurants and  entertainment.

I did have a great view.

Customer service was great, with multiple emails and texts even before arrival. It was convenient for the bat boat tour and had self parking. But, really, for me, would have been better staying elsewhere.

[Alter Ego]

@Mindy D The migas was SOOO GOOD!  I had seen some articles about how Austin needed to up their taco game - did not feel that way with these!! And a plus with the food tour - we could just walk in. Otherwise, they had a line out the door.

[Terrywu]

Such an interesting and beautiful trip you planned.  I saw enjoyed reading the post and the photos.  Especially the food.

[catmama]

Went to Austin a few years ago and loved it!  We must have had the same tour guide for the bat tour, as he said the same thing about the high rises.  Food is delicious and the people are so friendly. Our only disappointment was we went in late March and most of the wildflowers hadn't bloomed yet.