Austin

The glorious sun setting into the Texas farm
lands upon final approach in to
Austin-Bergstrom International.

“Now boarding at gate A2 for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport,” the Southwest attendant bellowed throughout the airport terminal.  And so began my adventure to the Republic of Texas and its capital city of Austin.

In January of 2012, I decided to take a “clear my head” trip to visit my cousin, Amanda, in Austin.  I had never been to Austin, let alone Texas, before, and the sheer excitement as I boarded my flight was overwhelming.  After a brief lay-over in Nashville, where we picked up Country music legend, Little Jimmy Dickens, we were wheels up to the great state.  

I had always heard that everything was bigger in Texas, and upon our final approach in to Austin-Bergstrom, I looked out the window to my left and was awestruck by the beautiful sunset that was appearing before me.  The land was completely flat, not a tree in sight and the sun literally looked as if it were sinking directly in to the Texas farmland.  It was a breathtaking sight and a memorable moment to witness. 

The view of Austin from on top
of Mount Bonnell.

Austin is the fourth most populated city in the state of Texas and the eleventh most populated city in the United States of America.  From my vantage point in the plane, I wasn’t able to see much of the city, just the surrounding flat lands, so I had a hard time initially wrapping my mind around the size of such a city. While staring at the flat country fields below, little did I know that Austin is situated within the Hill Country of Texas.  My cousin informed me that while I was there we would go visit Mount Bonnell, the mountain overlooking the city of Austin. Later that evening as I sat in my room, I thought to myself, “Really? There are mountains in Texas? That’s just not possible.”

Upon arriving at the base of Mount Bonnell, I almost couldn’t help but laugh.  Coming from a state that is home to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains, I was tickled by the thought that Mount Bonnell was considered an actual mountain because it’s size was miniscule compared to Mount LeConte or Mount Mitchell that I was accustomed to back home.  To the Austinite’s, yes, Mount Bonnell is probably a mountain because everything else surrounding them is completely flat.  But to me, Mount Bonnell was nothing more than a hill that you climbed stairs to get to the top.  Now, I’m not bashing Mount Bonnell in the least because the view from the top did completely over look all of the Hill Country, which features massive homes scattered throughout the hills, but it also provided an exceptional view of the city of Austin from above. 

The Congress Avenue
Bridge -- waiting for
the flight of the bats!

With Austin being the capital of the state of Texas, you have to make a stop at the Texas State Capitol Building.  I may have been the only one, but I was having flashbacks to Walker, Texas Ranger, as I toured the impressive and highly ornate building.  Situated in the center of town and just steps from the campus of the University of Texas, you can’t miss the dome of the Capitol Building as it looms in the skyline.  Walking the halls and touring the chambers of the Capitol Building, you are struck with the thought of those great leaders who have walked such hallowed halls and just how impeccable the state of Texas truly is to the history of the United States of America.

One event that my cousin suggested we witness was the nightly flying of the bats from the Congress Avenue Bridge.  At first, I thought she was absolutely crazy because did the bats truly have this nightly ritual?  So, we parked in a lot just beside the bridge and walked up to stand along the sidewalk of the bridge as cars zoomed past us on Congress Avenue.  Within minutes, other individuals started to line the side of the bridge peering over as dusk began to settle along the horizon of Austin.  Silently, I pondered to myself “Do these people not have anything else to do in Austin?” but then again, I was standing right there in the middle of them. You could hear the bats making their noises literally right beneath you which only escalated us humans’ anticipation of the 1.5 million bats that were to shortly ascend to the night sky. 

We waited, and waited, and waited. Dusk, when the bats are to make their ascent, came and went.  We continued to stand.  People almost acted as if they were praying they would come (okay, that may be a slight exaggeration).  We waited some more until eventually we decided to leave. For whatever reason, the one night I am standing on the Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin, Texas, the bats decided to fail me and disappoint me by not taking flight. 

To this day, I wonder if it is a hoax and if my cousin just decided to have me stand on a bridge staring down at the river beneath and the skyscrapers to my left.  It was still a lovely evening and a lovely sight.  But, right then and there, it truly hit me all the more why they want to “Keep Austin Weird” because there are weird sights and rituals that are done in this large city, and I had just taken part in one that decided not to come to fruition that evening.

Don't forget to go visit Beevo!

If you ever do decide to go to the “Live Music Capital of the World”, you won’t be disappointed as there is so much to see and do in Austin.  I am hoping to make a return trip in the near future so I can take in some more sights of this active city.  When you do decide to take the adventure yourself, make sure you get some ice cream from Amy’s (the BEST ice cream I have EVER had), stop by to visit Beevo the gigantic Longhorn outside of the Co-Op on the campus of UT-Austin (Hook ‘em Horns!), and while you’re at UT-Austin, maybe take in a sporting event, like we did by seeing the Women’s Basketball Teams of Texas versus Baylor in an in-state match-up.  Eat lots of Texas Barbecue, take a trip over to Lake Travis and see an incredible sunset.  Kick up your cowboy boots and ride off in to the sunset, and ultimately help to preserve greatness by continuing to “Keep Austin Weird”!

Attending the Women's Basketball Game, we were cousin's divided, ha!  My cousin received her Graduate Degree from the University of Texas, so it was natural that she route for The Longhorns.  I, on the other hand, decided to be the outsider and cheer for the Baylor Bears!  While it looks like no one was at the game, we arrived early and eventually the arena filled.  What a great time!