I last traveled to Austin 4 years ago, in the spring of 2011 with a few friends, a local girl returning home, and a friend attending UT for graduate school. Even just in the four years between my visits, I've noticed some changes. The town has been in the midst of a decade-long shift away from the "Keep Austin Weird" slogan of the early 2000s. As tech companies, skyscrapers, and California transplants continue to sprout up in the Texas capital, some feel that the soul of the town is dissipating a bit.
Despite it all, it's still a very pleasant place, if a bit overloaded with people. 6th street at night is chaotic, swarming swathes of people looking to fuck, fight, or both. The line for Franklin's Barbeque, a formerly local treasure, starts at 5am and the wait usually takes all morning long, with a chance that the meat runs out before you even get to the front. Hamilton Pool, a magical grotto swimming hole with a waterfall to boot, fills up quickly on a hot day, and the line of cars gets capped at 10 or so, waiting indefinitely until someone else leaves the paradise.
Austin was very lush, trees of different shades of green spanned many areas providing a nice palette to work with. Spent many times at creek beds and swimming holes. Some of them dry up at certain times, so the landscape changes pretty drastically with the seasons. We rode canoes out onto the colorado river and paddled past the downtown skyline. In the suburban areas surrounding the city, land was more affordable and animals of all types were commonly found at people's residences. Bluebonnets were in season, and sprawling hills and fields were painted a sultry violet.
Austin manages to incorporate the requisite elements of Texan pride while distinguishing itself from the flat plains of the state we drove through to reach it. There was a palpability to the distinct character of the region. Lone Star beer, H.E. Butt grocery stores, queso everywhere you go, taco trucks in the backs all the bars, incredible live country music, savvy linedancing old men. The culture was immersive, and having so much time there allowed us to get comfortable. It was hard to leave, but this journey must continue onwards.
- Anthony Mayes -