Trip to Austin

I know, it's been too long. What with teaching swim lessons, summer adventures, and everything else the start of summer entails, I've neglected you, dear blog. Did you miss me?

A few weeks ago, my friend Chelsie from high school in Oregon (and, coincidentally, from Vegas, too) came out to visit for a week. I decided it would be a perfect excuse to hightail it down to Austin, so....ROAD TRIP!!!

There are several things I love about Austin. For one, it's artsy (in the cool, edgy way). Second, there are so many things to do outside, many of them for very cheap (or free!).

I'd love to live there, but Jason says as a true Sooner, he can not be in the same town as UT.

I had to show Chels the amazing event that is the Congress Ave. bats. It took a while for them to figure out the sun had set, but once they started taking flight, it was quite a show.

(These are the bats leaving the bridge for the night)

The most important reason why I love Austin so much, outweighing all others:

Barton Springs

If I lived in Austin, I would never get anything done. I would be at Barton Springs all day, every day, rain or shine. I live for open water swimming, and the long, freshwater pool at the Springs is heavenly; I can swim a long way without coming to a wall and having to turn around.

Look at the clarity of the water! I chased some small fish for a while (I'm easily amused).

I swam twelve lengths of the very long pool. It felt sooooo good.

Chelsie got stung by a bee, and we both got sunburns, but our trip was still wonderful.

Chelsie is preparing to go on The World Race in January, which is an eleven month mission trip adventure. You can read more about it Here.