The Art Festival That Wasn't

Last weekend a few of us mamas decided to expose our sons to a bit of culture. In the past during this time of year, my family has enjoyed a local corn maze or pumpkin patch, but that's one thing that Austin is definitely lacking. So instead I thought how about the Dia De Los Muertos Festival. I've always been such an admirer of the dia de los muertos custom and folk art. The event was advertised as a festival and kids under 12 got in free. So the three of us mamas got all dolled up and wrangled our young sons into their car seats and off we went. Only to discover, after navigating three very active rascals through busy downtown streets, that the "festival" was actually an art exhibit. Not an interactive one either. In took about 10 seconds for each of us to to become frazzled and stressed. We promptly left and made our way first to a local cafe, Cherrywood, for mimosas and food - to decompress and let the boys run off some steam in the fenced in patio area. Like clockwork, just as we were devouring the last of our meals, the boys were showing signs of meltdown. So again we packed them up and ended up at Jessi's for an impromptu backyard play date. Janelle is a photographer and took some amazing black-and-white photos of our tiny men in action.

ACL 2012

Last weekend I got the unexpected and totally cool surprise of being offered a free pass into the last day of ACL. I had really wanted to go this year, being my first year back in Austin and all, but with everything else going on around here I had accepted that I would just have to wait until next year. So you can imagine my excitement when my friend Jessi calls me up and says, "Hey, I got an extra pass for today, you wanna come?"

We got there just in time to catch the main event: Iggy and The Stooges followed by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Heck yea. It was a great night with good friends. Casey insisted I get out with my friends in hopes that I might shake some of my wiggles out. He and Gavin had special man time together. As for me and my friends, we danced, people watched, and ate tacos and chocolate chip cookies from the back of a truck. Man, I love this place.

Conversations With My Son

Gavin: "Mama, who were you talking to?"

Me: "That was my friend Kim, she lives in Lubbock."

Gavin: "No Mom, she lives in North America."

(My geography lesson for the day.)

Urban Outdoor Adventures: Walnut Creek

One thing that Austin has a lot of is undeveloped green space. Barton Creek, Shoal Creek, Bull Creek, etc. are some of the more popular greenbelts that cut through the heart of the city. In fact, the green spaces are the heart of the city. In addition to the lively music and vibrant art scenes, Austin is known for its "outdoorsy" citizenry. Every road is shared with avid cyclists, trails are always full of runners, the numerous surrounding rivers and lakes are frequented by kayakers, canoers, fisherman, etc. This is an OUTSIDE city. Walnut Creek isn't far from our side of town, actually less than 2 miles from home. It has a playground, baseball field, municipal swimming pool, and about 15 miles of trail. It's a smaller version of the larger trail system, but its our latest discovery and quite the little treasure.

Originally I was going to go out to this park by myself for a long trail run, but then I thought the dogs and family might enjoy it too, and then it turned into inviting our friends along for an afternoon adventure. The sky was cloudy and the temperature screamed, "Autumn is here! Get outside." I'll definitely be back to this place for a run as I begin to prepare for the half marathon in San Antonio, but I think we'll also be out here as a family as well, especially during the summer. I am curious about the pool.

Texas fall wildflowers and prickly pear cactus. Despite common misperceptions, Texas has lots of vegetation, including trees. It just looks different.  

Sharing a snack.They were squirting the juice out of the grapes inside their mouth. 

They found this extremely entertaining.

"Look Mama, that's where the dragons live." He was pointing to a small alcove on the other side of the creek. I love his imagination. These days there are bears, sharks, and dragons to battle around every bend. 

Three little boys in the tall Texas grass. Milo had to wear his mama's hoodie after taking a dip in the creek. Fortunately, we were more than half way back to our vehicles where his parents had an extra change of clothes. He looked like a small wizard running around the woods in his mama's hoodie, so his parents called him the "Magenta Wizard," which is perfect for his magical personality. We love our friends.

Running in Johnson City

Last weekend I met a friend in Johnson City, TX for a 10-mile trail run. Fate would have it that it would thunderstorm the entire night before the race and there was a 90% chance of heavy rain on the day of the race. These races are rain or shine, so shine we did!

Pre-race

Thick, oozy mud. 

Fate was on our side after all, because although it was definitely muddy it did not rain as predicted. It drizzled. The entire race. At times it felt like we had 10 lbs worth of clumpy, hard hill country mud stuck to the bottom of our shoes, but we persevered. We crossed the finish line wet, muddy, and all smiles. It really was a great race and both Marie and I were very happy with the results. We crossed the finish line at exactly the same time, and split the 2nd and 3rd place for our age group. Go us! It was the first time medaling for each of us.

Approaching the finish line.

Post-race 

 

Post-race muddy shoes 

2nd and 3rd place winners 

 Post-race beer

Marie is a special running buddy. The last time she and I actually saw each other in person was in high school, senior year 1997 (gulp). And even then we were more acquaintances than friends. Ten years after our high school graduation we reconnected, on Myspace and then Blogger. Over the years we have learned we have much in common. I especially admire her humor, creativity, and positive, practical approach toward life and raising her family. So 15 years later we meet in person for the first time since high school and run 10 miles together in the rain and mud. How 'bout them apples.

Next month I'll be joining her and her running club friends for  the half marathon in San Antonio. I told her I owe her a race or two in her neck of the woods, West Texas. It's true, we run for fun.

More importantly MY MOTHER will also be joining us and I could not be more proud of her. My mom is a long time walker and not too long ago walked her first 5k. I cannot express how excited I am to finally share my race experiences with my family - as participants! I am looking forward to running a 5k with my sister early next year. My mom says she will walk the 5k and keep track of the kids, because they'll be walking/running with us too!! It will be a big family affair and I am excited.