Places in Austin I Never Knew About Before

This week's post is dedicated to places in Austin that I have been discovering since I have not been working. As an aside, I am still giddy about all my free time, for anyone who is wondering. I have been finding endless amusement telling people at cocktail parties that I don't work. I don't think they see nearly the same novelty in this that I do, but that's OK.

It's April in Texas which means one thing: bluebonnets. It turns out that Camp Mabry, the National Guard base near my house, has a fantastic collection of bluebonnets! There's a great public recreational track at Camp Mabry, which I had previously only experienced in the pitch black dark when I would run at some crazy early hour before work. Now that I don't work (heh heh) I get to go in daylight - and who knew there were so many wildflowers! I got these photos about a week past their peak, but I think you'll get the idea.

For better or worse, I have also been playing golf with my mom, Carolyn. We played Riverside Golf Course in Austin which is a very nice public course, and an excellent value. I would not suggest playing Riverside the day after a big rain, because it's a lot more like a river than something beside a river. You can check it out at http://www.riverside-gc.com/golf/proto/riverside-gc/. Carolyn and I were desperately needing a lesson, and she gave me one for Easter. That meant we got to go to the Chuck Cook golf academy at Barton Creek! Riverside is OK but there's just no compare to this place, it is all class: http://www.bartoncreek.com/chuck_cook_golf_academy.asp.

It's not all fun and games not working. It turned out my 1994 Ford Explorer was in need of a tune-up after the trip to LaGrange. Someone recommended Dodd's Service Center at 43rd and Guadalupe, and it was a real find. They did not try and rip me off, and the car is running great. One of the most interesting things about Dodd's is that they have no website and no sign on the building. Also, they had a fire back in 1996. I figured I'd give them a plug here on the blog. You can reach them at 512-453-3535.

On the way home from Dodd's, I walked through Central Park, located between Guadalupe and Lamar north of 38th Street. I've only been to Central Market like 100 times, but had no idea this place was there! It is a really nice park complete with ducks and a pond, not to mention a running trail. If you are thinking about swimming in the pond, that's unfortunately forbidden. Bummer.

I've been thinking about ways to keep the brain working, and have decided to do some more serious writing. That may be the topic of a future post. This week, I went to the library to take out some books on recent business topics which I'm interested in for this particular project. I have never been to the main branch of the Austin library and it is a nice place. Best of all, I got to take out as many books as I wanted for FREE! I guess I had a library card when I first moved here 12 years ago, and I discovered I owed them $2.40 in late fees. It is a good thing they do not charge interest. In any case, it is worth a trip to the John Henry Faulk Library at 8th and Guadalupe.

The last place I've been spending some time is a place I had actually been to before, but it is so prime that I could not resist talking about it. Yes, it's the Lake Austin Spa Resort located (you guessed it) on lovely Lake Austin. The best thing about Lake Austin is they have a fantastic pool, and lots of comfy chairs where you can sit and read or nap all afternoon. The food is good too, and healthy. I would stay away from the kressnopita in favor of the golden gazpacho and lettuce wraps. Lake Austin really brings a whole new meaning to relaxation and I think I need to make it back once more before I take off for Asia. Fore more on the spa, visit http://www.lakehousespa.com/.

Yes, that's right - we are 16 days away and counting from the Big Trip. Look for a post on the latest itinerary soon.