Thursday, May 17, 2007

Just insert your favorite Texas cliche here

In some strange but happy mix of leftover inspiration from Eat Pray Love combined with a desire just to get the heck out of town for a little while for the first time in months, I spontaneously booked myself a brief getaway for next week. This morning around 11:00 I started thinking about what cities I've never been to that I've always wanted to visit, and at 10:30 this evening I booked myself a flight and a hotel in Austin.

That's Texas, not Minnesota. You know, just in case you thought I was just dying to see the Spam Museum.

I have never traveled all by myself before. I'm feeling possibly unjustifiably bold and adventurous. And also, just a little bit nervous.

So. Where are my Austin peeps (or, at least, my peeps with some Austin knowledge)? Where must I go? What must I see? What should I do if Weather.com is right and it actually does rain the whole time I'm there? I need some help. Clue me in. Thanks!


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P.S. I'm staying downtown (near the Capitol) and will be there less than three days. Do I really need a car, or is there plenty to see and do in the area on foot?

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15 comments:

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Just wait a cotton pickin' minute. Does this have to do with R's church buddies through the mistaken emails? I'm finding all of this *awfully* coincidental.

Oh, and I've never been to Texas, so I have nothing to recommend other than to bring sunscreen (because that's always a good idea).

shelleycoughlin said...

Way cool. If I had to go to Texas, I definitely would've picked Austin too. :) Seriously though, next time? Boston. It's awesome here.

Just sayin'.

Noelle said...

The only thing I know about Texas is that -R- knows a couple of nice church ladies there, and Austin is about the only tolerable city around. Have a great time!

Stefanie said...

Sognatrice--Hee. I forgot that's where R's mistaken identity emails came from! Nope; I have no plans to hang with the church ladies (although... R did say they sounded very nice...)

NPW--Oh, I agree. Love Boston. Been there twice and thought it was a great city both times. My plan this time, however, was to go someplace I've never been before. (Seattle & Vancouver was my second choice, but I'm already planning that for late summer/early fall.)

Noelle--I agree. Austin is the only place in Texas I want to go. (Sorry, Texas folks; I just don't think I'm a Texas sort of girl.)

lizgwiz said...

What fun! I've never been to Austin, either, so I'm no help with info. Does Matthew McConaughey still have a house there? Maybe you could join him for some naked bongo playing. ;)

By the way, I've been meaning to thank you for the "Eat Pray Love" recommendation. I'm nearly through the ashram section, and I'm loving it.

-R- said...

I have been to Austin many times and will send you an e-mail about it. I am certainly not an expert, but I will do my best. Also, my sister-in-law lives there, so I can ask her for suggestions.

Dallas/Fort Worth isn't that bad, by the way. I wouldn't want to live there, but it's not a bad place to visit.

Anonymous said...

How cool! I've heard great things about Austin. But I know nothing of it myself. Have a great time!

-R- said...

PS I think you will want a car. Austin is pretty spread out.

Anonymous said...

I know nothing about Austin, but have a great time!

Poppy said...

B is from TX so I have made sure she comments on this post soonly.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love the travel lit at New York Times and Washington Post. Those guys've been everywhere:

http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/north-america/united-states/texas/austin/overview.html

Unknown said...

Stefanie,

I don't know anything about Austin, but if you've never been to San Diego and ever plan to come visit, let me know and I will be your tourist guide.

Have fun!

Anonymous said...

I've never been to Austin but the Spam Museum is my holy grail.

Anonymous said...

Ok, so I am curious...why Austin, TX? What is there? Never been there myself, but have been to Houston, Corpus Christi, South Padre Island and Galveston.

Stefanie said...

Liz--Now there's an idea! Bob Schneider lives in Austin, too. I could stalk him as well! :-) (You may not know who Bob Schneider is, but just trust me that he is damn sexy.)

R--Thanks for the tips!

Nabb and Darren--Thanks!

Poppy--You're so helpful. :-)

Carrie--Thanks. I'll be sure to check that out.

LC--I don't have any plans to be in that area anytime soon, but I will surely keep that in mind. :-)

BK--Now I am trying to decide what my Holy Grail would be. I'm pretty sure it's not the Spam Museum, though.

Simone--I don't know; I've just heard lots of cool things about it. It's been compared to Madison (though I'm pretty sure it's a bit bigger than Madison), and Madison's a cool town to hang out in for a few days, right? Lots of live music, cool bars and restaurants, etc., etc. I'll let you know what else is "there" when I get back. :-)