THE GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD

The view of the city from the no leash dog park called, Auditorium Shores on "Town Lake" ("Lady Bird Lake" as it is more formally known as).  Paisley LOVES LOVES LOVES this park.  There are literally like fifty plus dogs running around and swimming in this part and Paisley runs around screaming "Get it.  Touch.  Nice.  Dog.  Puppy.  Woof Woof."  Oh, and David works in the pointy glassy blue building towards the center of the picture.

So, Austin is the bombdiggity.com.  We love it (minus the heat, meaning both the temperature and the NBA team that just won the championship...)!  It's definitely a quirky little town with lots of things going on.  There is no hiding the fact that David loves this town and believes it literally to be heaven on earth.  He rages on and on about this place and basically looks for any excuse to try and convince everyone he knows to move here.  He loves Austin and wants everyone to come to him so that he never has to leave (sorry to the many of you he has engaged a debate with about why you should live here and no where else: Jeff and Sam, Taylor, and family).  But if he himself didn't win your hearts over (yet) or you think that he may be biased, these pictures will definitely help you to understand his reasoning.  Enjoy!  

This is a cool picture David got of the city from our car's side-view mirror.

THE DREAM!  This is no mirage here people, this is THE Texas Memorial Stadium.  We live just a couple blocks north of here so we can see it from our apartment complex.  David always dreamed of living next to the stadium so he could watch the sun set over it and now he can.  This is what dreams are made of! 

Okey dokey, so what makes this town so awesome beside it's nice city line and football stadium (if that isn't enough)?  Well, let me tell you.  This is TEXAS!  Unfortunately, Austin is a little bit different then the rest of Texas.  It is a little on the hippy and liberal as far as culture is concerned and would remind one of the Oregon/Washington/British Columbia area.  Austin's motto: "Keep Austin Weird."  This is rather hard to explain what makes Austin so weird.  Is it the fact that it is the Live Music Capital of the World?  Popular concerts include the ever famous Austin City Limits which takes the city by control for a weekend and brings in about a hundred bands, big and small, old and new, and turns everywhere into a music stage; South by South West another week of concert after concert; or the free Blues on the Green concerts every Wednesday night in the park.  Is it the fact that it is a very politically liberal town in a sea of conservatism?  This town is very green and it shows by the food, the many many MANY bikers that may or may not get in the way as the ride through the city, or just the fact that they recycle.  Maybe it's the fact that this town has lost it's southern drawl and lovin' for boots, jeans, trucks, and country music like it's neighboring towns.  Luckily for David, it has just enough of those to keep him happy even though he would like a little bit more.

Even though Austin isn't as traditional as David hoped, he still managed to get himself a pair of custom, hand-made boots.  Austin likes to be laid back and on Friday's everyone wears casual clothes to work, including the clients Ernst & Young has. So, in order to not stand out Ernst & Young employees wear jeans and boots on Fridays too.

As per things to do in this town, the lake is always a popular place.  At sunset you can watch thousands of bats fly from under the bridge and into the sky.  There is a lot of huge parks to play in with a running trail that lines the lake and is always full of people just running, walking, talking and socializing.  If you're not in the park, however, you're in the river boating, kayaking, canoeing, etc. 

Tan and Paisley during a picnic on the river with some people in
a canoe in the background. 

The train that goes around the Park.

The Barton Creek Springs Pool right in the park.  This is a swimming pool that
has been preserved as a natural sping.

The water is freezing cold, but it is nice because that day, like most summer days
in Texas was well over 100 degrees.

As you can see it is a fun and popular thing to do with lots of families and friends.

Here she is people.  Lake Austin, the place that is desired to be our retirement spot.  Holy Moly it was beautiful.  The neighboring area is tucked into the hills and has some nice homes, with both mansions and more modest abodes.  It was a breath taking sight to see and a place we would both like to live FOREVER!

Moving on to David's most favorite aspect (besides Texas football), the aspect that is make it or break it for a city in his opinion, FOOD.  David sat down and made a list of all the places we had to eat while we are here.  Well, that list ended up growing and growing to be so big that it won't be possible on our budget and lack of time.  Austin wants to keep Austin local.  They love farmers markets and don't love chains.  There are very few chain restaurants here, but there are TONS of original places to eat that only are located in Austin and use Austin grown ingredients.  From pizza to Tex-Mex, hamburgers to salads, and the ever famous Texas BBQ.  

Hopdoddy's - probably the most recommended burgers in town.  The fries were great.  The drinks are specialty soda's made with real cane sugar.  The shakes were outstanding.  The Greek Lamb burger was delicious as was David's classic burger with an egg on top (the gourmet version of Red Robin's Royal Burger).  "Best burger I've ever eaten" ~Tanis Douma  

So what does $20 get you in Texas:  All-you-can-eat brisket, sausage,
turkey, and pork ribs with potatoes, coleslaw, and beans for sides. 

This is a picture of Paisley to show how good she is learning to use a fork as
she enjoys her Texas BBQ.

One of the two barbecue pits where the meat is cooked using a mustard based Barbecue Sauce.

So what is this heavenly BBQ place we have been speaking about?  The Salt Lick BBQ.  As seen on Man vs. Food David had to try this place out.  Texas is a BBQ state, famous for it's Brisket.  Austin, is one of the best and most famous places to get BBQ and Texas brisket.  This place is an establishment that everyone should experience.  It is about 30 minutes out of town, deep in the hill country and very secluded, however, you know when you have arrived.  The parking lot is as big as Walmart's.  There is a playground for kids to enjoy.  Hammocks to rest in.  Fields and pastures surrounding.  Live music playing with lemonade and popcorn to snack on.  And literally hundreds of people from all over, here for BBQ and a good time.  Inside, the pack the place with picnic tables and everyone sits together family style.  They say BYOB (bring your own beer) and people bring coolers of it with all their friends and family.  If you forget, not a problem, they also have their own winery next door or for those of us who don't drink, water.  This was paradise!

Well, that about does it for now (this was kind of a long blog post).  We sure have been enjoying Austin and Texas in general.  Paisley loves the library and Children's museum and is growing so fast.  We LOVE being in the heart of Texas!

Paisley doing her two favorite things: playing with other kids and reading at the
Austin Children's Museum.

This was a pretty picture David got while at a Texas Rangers game in Dallas

This is a video of Paisley and some of the animal noises she can make.  She is kind of shy with the camera and most of the time we can get her to do all of them:

Cow = MOO

Lion = RAAR

Snake = SSSSS

Dog = Woof Woof

Cat = Meow

Bird = Tweet Tweet

Chicken = Bok Bok Bok

Rooster = Doodle Doo

Monkey = AH AH AH

Frog = Ribbet Ribbet

Pig = Oink Oink

and our Personal Favorite,

Rabbit = nose and mouth moving up and down!

ENJOY!!!

Y'all come back now ya hear!