Deep in the Heart of Texas

Where'd she go?
Oh, nowhere.  Instead of a gradual taper, my fall last week forced me into a screeching halt.  I was rendered incapacitated with fever and illness for a few days.  And too weak to get in any quality miles.  My janky arm confined to a brace, yoga and cycling are off the schedule. 
So what better way to recover  than to head to one of my favorites places, Austin, TX for a long weekend!  Our fair state capitol holds many fond memories and a very special place in my heart.  The 3 hour drive goes by so quickly - it's like my car just knows where it wants to be.  And every time I'm there I think, "Now, why don't I live here?"
I spent a day in downtown Austin visiting just a few of my favorite old haunts a a few new spaces too.

Austin IS the Live Music Capitol of the World. The world people.

Tacow

About 85, it was the perfect day for hanging your head out the window!

The 15th anniversary of the Livestrong Foundation, Lance and friends were hosting a huge party and expo at his shop. 

If you've never been to Austin, what are you waiting for? The weather is perfect year round, the hills are GREAT to run/ride and everyone is just so friendly.  There is a campaign to, "Keep Austin Weird" and believe me, the entire city is working hard on that particular goal.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  Austin just has an energy that makes me feel at home.  I love this place!
Later, I went see my friend Nat who recently moved to Boerne, about a half hour outside of San Antonio.    She is an amazing host!  And her house, right on the river, is just as beautiful as it could possibly be! 

That porch!  We were sure to spend time rocking in the cool night air.

I love a fireplace of Texas stone.  Simply gorgeous!

They live right on the Guadalupe River.  (pronounced Gwa-day-loop around here)

I would never tire of this view.

We took an early morning walk through the hills.

And headed down 1/2 mile trail which turns out, isn't even a quarter mile.  Oh, well.

It was so nice to spend time with a dear friend just relaxing and catching up.  Natalie has been a great friend to me.  She's been there for me this past year in ways even she will never know.  I'm blessed by her friendship and thankful to have her in my life!  Aw, her sweet puppies remembered me. There isn't much more restorative than time in the country and precious puppy hugs. Love me some sweet redbone coonhound lovin'!

Saturday we drove back up to Austin for some Longhorn football.  Who doesn't love some Fall football?  We were playing OSU so there was lots of orange to be seen. But let's face it, OSU is an ordinary ole orange not the pretty burnt orange of Texas!  Nat wore her Baylor tee as her alma mater was playing a&m. I'll refrain from making any a&m statements but let's just say anyone in orange was rooting for Baylor. 

All that burnt orange makes me feel all warm and snuggly. 

At halftime, the band played a tribute to the Beatles. Which, is basically the Longhorn Band's way of saying, "We love you TPG and we sure are glad you're here."

We ate nachos, drank coke and really just enjoyed ourselves.  It was a really good game, even though we lost.  There was plenty of excitement and we were in the game for most of it.  I love the atmosphere of college football.  (and high school too for that matter)  High fiving your neighbors, singing fight songs at the top of your lungs, cheering across the stadium (the stadium that holds more people that even Jerry Jones' Cowboy Wonderland, ahem) and throwing up those horns!  \m/ Hook 'em! 

We met up with our friends LIndsay and Drew (not pictured) after the game.  Friends & football.  A perfect Fall day!

I was sad to leave Nat and sad to leave Austin.  As I drove across Texas, listening to country music on the radio, I got a little homesick for the city I love so much. The Hill Country will always be a part of me.  Maybe visiting isn't enough anymore.  Because as I watched the Tower grow smaller in my rearview mirror I once again thought, "Now why don't I live here?"