Old Friends in Austin :)

Tacos!

Back in Austin we stayed in McKinney Falls State Park a second time.  All these sites to choose from on a Wednesday night and we managed to stay right beside a dog again!  Oh well, the dogs seemed happy to be back at the park and John and I were looking forward to seeing an old friend in Austin and hiking a trail we had missed on the last visit.  

We met my childhood friend Jonathan Horne in a cool hip neighborhood in east Austin.  The tacos at Mi Madres were amazing!  Jonathan and I have known each other forever.  We grew up playing together during  hot east Tennessee summers.  Our families both were blessed to have cabins up in Emerts Cove (where John and I were married) right outside of the Smoky Mountains National Park.  Our summers were filled with long lazy days of tubing and playing in the river.  It was wonderful!   Anyway, I had not seen Jonathan since our wedding 5 years ago (crazy we have been married that long I know!).  It was so wonderful to catch up and see my sweet friend again.  He is originally from Charleston but is living in Austin and plays in a band called the Plutonium Farmers (he is too humble to say so but he is a very talented musician on the guitar).  Anyway, good food and great times!  Can't wait to see my old friend back in East TN again! 

                                                                         

                                                                                                     Good food and Great Times!

Thursday morning we attempted our Old Homestead Trail.  It crossed the Lower Falls (which were too high 2 weeks prior to cross).  Well...we probably just should have decided not to take the trail.  Not only was the trail full of poison ivy (which John and I are both extremely allergic too) it was also full of these tall weeds that came up to your shoulders.  I was not a fan.  Needless to say the dogs liked it.  

Don't go that way never go that way!

After our 3 mile hike we decided to head down to Austin and wash off in Barton Springs (a local spring fed pool in Austin).  Well wouldn't you know it was closed for "cleaning."  We are both still not really sure what that means.  So we wandered around the park for awhile and settled on some tasty smoothies from Juiceland.  

                                                       

                                                                          Looks refreshing but is closed :(

Back on the road again to meet John's parents in Emerald Bay for Memorial Day weekend.

See you soon!

C&J + 4 itchy pups in need of a bath :) 

Escapes 

0 (whew!)

Wildlife Seen

-I have waited too long to do this blog entry and can't remember I apologize! 

Lessons Learned

1. Stay away from trails that have high weeds and poison ivy

2. Always double check hours for fun attractions that you are looking forward to :( 

the homestead 

after the walk 

sisterly love :)