Fun Day Trip

We took a day trip to Austin, Texas today.

We had visited and enjoyed Barton Springs a few summers ago, so we thought we'd make a day of it, travel to Austin, and play, but . . .

Do not plan to enjoy Barton Springs on a Thursday!  It is closed all day for cleaning.  It reopens at 7:00 pm.  Of course, I missed this small print on the right side of their webpage.

I asked the nice guy at the Concession Stand if there was another public swimming area, and he told us how to get to Deep Eddy Pool.  It was a nice option for the hot day.  My niece and nephew enjoyed it, but it was a tint of green and had gunk growing all over the sides.  On the hour, or so we think since we didn't have a watch, the lifeguards blow whistles to clear the pool for 5 minutes.  Everyone must get out, unless you are swimming in the lap pool, and rest for 5 minutes before the whistles are blown again for everyone to return.  We swam and enjoyed a picnic.  I did like this pool area because there was shaded area for you while you are in the pool.

We enjoyed a visit to the Texas Natural Science Center and Texas Memorial Musuem (one and the same).

 

  

 

 

In order to celebrate important birthdays, we went to Amy's Ice Cream, the location on 6th Street. The Mexican Vanilla was great, and The Bats was wonderful! They have dips, cones, floats, sundaes, special creations, alcoholic ice creams (which we didn't notice until later), ice cream cakes, and so much more.  Interesting atmosphere and great, tasty ice cream!

We made a trip to Walmart to purchase school supplies for my niece and nephew.  Since their moving, I have missed out on a lot of the school activities I used to do with them every year.  This was a way for me to help prepare them for the year.  It was a lot of work, but we got everything.

Austin has outlawed plastic bags.  At Walmart, you either have to have your own reusable bags, you have to put everything back in the cart to just take to your car, you can purchase paper bags for 10 cents, or you can purchase reusable bags for 50 cents. The lady in line behind us said not to forget your bags at the grocery story b/c it becomes difficult to get the items to the car or expensive to purchase bags.

We ended our night at Taco Bell to enjoy dinner together and for the kids to open birthday presents.  (This summer has been all about birthdays and celebrating together.)