AUSTIN: Part II

ATX. Part II 

Oh my goodness, before I can officially move on the Part II, I can't forget to mention that we tore up some dance floors Friday night! We started off at what is supposed to be the THE Two-Stepping hot spot,  The White Horse , but in all honesty the band was quite odd while we were there, so not a lot of 2-stepping for us.  We then just danced our way through Easy Austin, hitting up Volstead at Hotel Vegas  & The Eastern. My next trip to Austin will definitely including a trip to The Broken Spoke for some boot scootin boogying! 

Ok, we now return to the regularly scheduled Part II.  This post is going to be the same, but different...

We started off our Saturday with a little SocialSuds mixer on the Pubcrawler of Austin. Our bike consisted of a couple celebrating her birthday and then a family from the midwest.  The two hour adventure included a stop of 3 of Austin's hotspots. 

Pedal Bitches.  I had the honor of playing DJ for the morning..."...it can buy me a boat!"

Our first stop was The Mean Eyed Cat ...a homage to the Johnny Cash & truly a bar like no other! 

After a couple more stops {including The Tiniest Bar} we headed back, everyone a tad happier than when we started.  Erin and I agree that a pubcrawler is a must do in every city...a great way to meet people, see the city, try some local favorites, all while having a great time! 

We met a friend of Erin's for lunch at what was the most amazing place...Hula Hut {at Oysters Landing}...a Mexican restaurant on Lake Austin, with boaters pulling right up for some chips & salsa.  Good food, good margaritas, good company.

Destination: Midnight Cowboy

A speakeasy vibe with cocktails that might loosen your inhibition.  

Travel note: they don't serve food 

Entrance is granted by pressing the "Harry Craddock" button.  Upon opening the door, in speakeasy fashion they immediately slammed it on us, to confirm our reservation. 

Most cocktails are $12/each and some are served table side.  Although we didn't, I highly recommend ordering a drink prepared table side for the experience alone. They also have private rooms in the back which would be great for larger groups & parties.  

Following a great experience at the Midnight Cowboy we headed to J Black for some food & Texas Football, before heading home to call it a night!

Destination: City tour on the run

Sunday morning I hit the trails & streets of Austin for a 10 mile run...I love nothing more than touring a city on the run.

Oh Sunday morning in Austin, you will always be one of my favorite memories.  We headed to Stubb's BBQ for their Gospel Brunch. 

Travel Tip: Definitely pay the extra $4 for a view of the band! 

It doesn't get much better than front row seats to LIVE gospel music, a good Southern Style buffet, 

and a build your own Bloody Mary Bar. 

 

Unless of course you are selected from the crowd {after jumping and waving my arms around hoping to be selected} to sing with the band.  I honestly thought it would be a group effort, NOT a hand me the microphone, call me a lively one, "He's Got My Back!" solo...but I loved every minute of it! 

Following brunch, with a couple of hours to kill, we did what ever tourist in Austin does...we attended a festival...The Pecan Street Festival.  

LOVE AUSTIN. LOVE ART.

The two-day street festival filled 6th street with hundreds of local & national artisans offering original and handcrafted creations.  I couldn't come home from Texas without a cross to add to my collection.

Austin, I will be back! 

Austin: Part I

ATX. The Nashville of Texas.

I have been quite the jet-setter these days, and now that the dust is somewhat settling, I am finally getting around to sharing my travel adventures. 

After reading "100 Things To Do In Austin Before You Die,"  I created a jam packed, fun-filled, 4 day itinerary.  

Just about a month ago I headed to Austin for a girls weekend with one of my best friends/roommates from college.  And oh my, it was love at first sight! 

Upon arrival we checked into our oh-so-quaint boutique hotel, The Heywood Hotel, where we were welcomed with a personalized notecard and yummy chocolate. 

With only 7 rooms, the hotel offers freshly brewed coffee first thing in the morning, free wi-fi, free off-street parking, custom architecture, amazing Archipelago soy milk soaps & lotions, easy access to the hip East Austin neighborhood, and more...

...including an amazing shower,

a relaxing courtyard, 

AND free bike rentals from 7am-7pm {but DON'T BE LATE...as its a $1/min after 7pm}. 

Immediately upon arrival, we dropped off our suitcases and hopped on bikes...headed for Damn Good Tacos at Torchy's. 

After maneuvering our way through construction, trying to figure out the lakefront bike path, and huffing it up a hill we ARRIVED! And oh my was it worth...hello fried avocado taco! The only thing missing were margaritas, so we set off on our bikes in hopes of finding some...

...and we ended up at Maddy Maes.  No margaritas, but the ice cold beer, live music by johnPRATHER  and rooftop seating were perfection! 

The clock was about to strike 7, so we headed home to freshen up {I got in a quick run...no bueno following tacos & beer} and head back out for dinner! 

Destination: Rainey Street

We dined outside while enjoying live music at NO VA, and then headed to Banger's  Sausage House & Beer Garden to enjoy a beer from the largest tap wall in Austin.  

Travel Tip: During the week, most of the live music wraps up round 10pm, so make sure to get out early 

FRIDAY: More adventures await

After enjoying a cup of freshly brewed coffee, we jumped on the bikes and headed to Town Lake/Lady Birdie Lake {evidently everything is Austin has 2 names} for some paddle boarding! This was Erin's first time and she rocked it! 

The lake was full of paddle boarders and kayakers...so fun!

We found some kayakers who kindly offered to take our picture! 

After surviving our paddle boarding adventure we headed to another Austin must-see...

Destination: South Congress Ave {SOCO}

We hit up all of the hot spots, including Jo's Coffee, 

where we stood in line to be complete tourists and take our pictures in front of the infamous "I love you so much" graffiti {I mean mural} wall. 

And then we stood in a line around the building {that is always a good sign, right!?} for an all natural & local Hopdoddy Burger & a lil skinny dipping! 

A trip to Texas isn't complete without a little boot shopping, so we hit up the best of the best: Allens Boots .

Say what!? A TOMS Coffee Shop!? YES PLEASE!!! 

Coffee for me, water for all! 

And once again 7pm was quickly approaching, so we headed back to get ready for another night out on the town! 

Destination: The Driskill & Stubb's BBQ.

Travel Tip: The bikes were great for getting around during the daytime.  And while we felt safe to walk, most nights we used lyft to get downtown.  It was anywhere from $5-$6 each time. 

We started the night off at the historical Driskill Hotel for you guessed it, drinks, before the concert. {Are you sending a theme for the weekend yet!?}

As die hard Bachelor Fans, we couldn't pass up a selfie opportunity in front of The Dizzy Rooster, on our way to... 

Stubb's BBQ for the Josh Abbott Band, where we ended up viewing the show from the VIP section! It pays to act like you know what you're doing.  

Stay tuned for more ramblings about the sights, sounds, eats & drinks of Austin!

To be Continued...

When in Missouri...

You go to The University of Missouri and run the track at Stankowski Field. 

Last year when I went to Missouri, I had a couple mile repeats on my training schedule so after late night baseball games, we headed to the track.  As tough as it was,  I loved the sweat inducing heat and humidity, coupled with the energy of the track.  There's something contagious about the energy of college students running around the track, playing scrimmage soccer games on the fields, and enjoying sand volleyball games all under the Rec Center stadium lights.  

This year I once again had a track workout on the schedule, so I headed the Rec Center for some 800s.

You have a good sweatfest! 

Are you noticing a trend here!? SWEAT! I have never sweat like I do when running in Missouri, but I love every minute of it! Holy humidity batman! 

With Heidi training for the Chicago marathon, me keeping up with my training schedule, and Heather being willing to jump on her bike and meet us out on the trail...we all accomplished our run, with SMILES! 

You RV it!

Saturday morning we loaded up in the Minnie and heading off to Camp Comfort. Ashton couldn't miss a great selfie opportunity, with a sleeping Holly photobomb.

You CANOE a boat.

I love turning nouns into verbs. Sidenote...rivers, floating, boating etc are a tad different in Missouri than in Oregon.  In Oregon, when we make reference to the river and floating, it usually includes rapids and inflatable boats...which lead to quite a debate..what is a TAHITI? Is it more of an inflatable kayak? Or an inflatable canoe!? Ok...back to our FLOATING ADVENTURE..

In true Missouri redneck fashion, after dropping off a vehicle at the end of our float, we all piled into one vehicle, and road in the back of the truck. 

And then we floated. And carried our boats. And laughed. And swam. And took a lunch break. 

 

It doesn't get much better than this.

Yes, the selfie stick made the float. 

Canoes, Kayaks, and Paddle Boards...OH MY! 

There is just something about dads throwing kids! 

I just love these kiddos! NUUN TEAM FUN! 

You spend the night at Camp Comfort. 

You participate in a several hundred boat water balloon fight! 

I have never experienced such a thing! And it was amazing! We entered the water balloon fight completely unarmed, but thanks to the phenomenal driving skills of Phil, we maneuvered our way through all of the boats, scooping up water balloons from the water and equipping ourselves with our own ammo.  

Hours later we returned soaking wet with battle wounds and stories to tell!

You teach the kids to wake surf! 

PRICELESS...the smile on all of the kiddos faces when they mastered wake surfing.  I got in the water with all of them to help them get the feel of getting up and we were 4 for 4...all of the Crouch/Figueiredo clan are now wake surfers!!! 

 

There's something about a boat...it rocks to right to sleep! I'm right there with you Parker!

You have a very serious RACK-O tournament! 

The Figueridos and I played Rack-O when they came out to Oregon for Spring Break, and this guy was so determined to win, that he wanted to play over & over & over! He was a little nervous to play in a round with his Grandma {serious game player}, Dad {Rack-O Champ} and myself...

This is what a reigning champs game face looks like! 

The grandkiddos loved helping Grandma and she loved returning the favor. 

Ashton might've been nervous, but he was quietly strategizing a WIN!!!! Rack-O CHAMPS!

You have hysterical jumping photo outtakes! 

You squeeze in a little tennis playing.

When in Missouri we squeeze in as much fun as possible, and we have been talking about playing tennis together for weeks...so we didn't let a little rain slow us down! These boys were naturals...future tennis players for sure! 

Family is not defined by your blood relatives.

I am beyond blessed to have an amazing family, and I thank God for them everyday! But I am also extremely blessed to have friends that are like family to me. Holidays, especially summer holidays, are all about spending time with family doing what we love.  I got on a plane Labor Day weekend to fly across the county, and was welcomed with loving arms, as if I was family! I spent the weekend doing what I love, with people I love. 

You summarize the weekend with one picture!