Day Nine: Sulphur, LA, to Austin, TX

Have you ever visited a place and known, within a few blocks (or a few neon signs for tacos, BBQ, and beer), that you’ve found a kindred home? To no one’s surprise, Austin was that place for me. As we drove through the hipster Boudin Creek and Barton Springs neighborhoods on our way to the hippy throwback and remarkably well-located Pecan Grove RV Park, this was the conversation in our Suburban:

Me: “Look, kids, tacos here and tacos there!”

Them: “Um Hmm.”

Me: “Oh my God, look at the size of that record store!”

Them: “OK.”

Me: “Across the street from an independent bookstore!”

Them: “Cool.”

Me: “And BBQ as far as the eye can see.”

Them: “Yep.”

Me: “Children, I’m home. Mom has found home.”

Our time in Austin was brief, but filled with so many delicious experiences. There was the frozen custard at Sandy’s on Barton Springs Road. There was the irreverent art at Austin’s graffiti park, where a typically kind Texan loaned the kids his canister so they could leave their mark. There was the stunning Texas state Capitol, where we snickered at Rick Perry’s portrait and learned that the Civil War is viewed through a different lens down here. There was stumbling upon Willie Nelson’s tour bus out back of his Austin City Limits show, where Charlotte insisted we camp out and wait for an autograph, no matter how long it may take. (Yes, she is certainly mine.) There was a pilgrimage to see the bats emerge from the Congress Street bridge at dusk, which they opted not to do given the chilly temps. Then there were the mind-blowing ribs at Terry Black’s BBQ, which will undoubtedly ruin all BBQ for me for a lifetime. (I mean, it was the kind of good that makes you wonder if you’ve ever actually tasted anything before.)

By the time the last fingers had been licked, I was ready to sell it all and set down roots in Austin. Yes, I would gain 10 pounds in just the first week, but then there were all of these impeccably maintained running paths along both sides of the Colorado River to burn off the calories. And electric scooters and rental bikes on every street corner. Plus the pedestrian bridges and copious bike lanes to use them.

If I could do it all over again, Austin would be part of my story. At the very least, I now have a new vacation obsession and a new marathon dream location.