Continuing Our Weekend in Austin

Leaving the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, we follow Barton Creek back to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail along the Colorado River.

Along the river

This time, instead of following the path along the Colorado, we cross the river and start to wander through downtown Austin.

Crossing the river

Into downtown Austin

There is another hike-and-bike path on the downtown-side of the river and we follow that for a ways, watching people hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing, and just hanging out on this beautiful day.

Back along the river

Soon, it's time for another meal and we head over to an old favorite, La Condesa, where we start with guacamole and chips, with a small pot of queso, accompanied by tequilla.  We follow those with pollo en mole (mole negro, sesame, chocolate pastilla), quesadilla de short rib (dos lunas classico, black bean mole, salsa verde, pickled onion), and street tacos.

Guac & chips, queso

Chicken mole

Quesadilla de short rib

Street tacos

As always at La Condesa, a fabulous meal  It's been a short, but fun, trip to Austin and we must return to this city again!

Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, Austin

We continue our walk along the Colorado River in Austin until we reach Barton Creek, then follow the Creek to the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum.  The Umlauf is focused on the works of American sculptor Charles Umlauf, with over 50 sculptures spread over 4 acres.

Entrance to the sculpture garden

We enter and wander.

What a great space!

A Weekend in Austin, Texas

We head down to Austin for a weekend in this delighful city.  Arriving in the late afternoon, we look out our hotel window at downtown Austin and the Colorado River flowing by the buildings and parks.

View out the window

Our first thought is dinner, which we find at Péché on 4th Street, specializing in French comfort food and craft cocktails (many with absinthe).  We have some of our favorite French dishes:  duck, mussels, and frites.

Péché, duck, mussels, frites

The next morning, we cross the Colorado River on the Congress Street Bridge and follow the trail along the river, with the buildings of downtown Austin across the water.  The 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail meanders along the water's edge, passing by skyscrapers, neighborhoods, ball fields, and museums.  Named for a former Austin mayor and his wife, the trail is a true natural gem in the heart of the Texas capital.

Crossing the river, downtown across the way

Map of the Hike-and-Bike Trail

We immediately come across a field of tents, booths, and equipment preparing for the Cap 10K race to be run through downtown Austin tomorrow.

Setting up for the Cap 10K

Following the trail along the river

As we hike along, we spot, through the trees, people enjoying themselve on the river in kayaks, paddle boards, and pedal boats.

Saturday on the river

It's a great walk, with great views, and a lot of people are out on the trail with us.