Austin, Revisited

It's been two weeks since I rolled into Austin once again, but it's been a go-go schedule of reconnecting with friends, staying active, catching up with life's chores, and working hard to adapt to city life. Austin has grown exponentially since my last visit two years ago. Honestly, I'm overwhelmed by this metro of 2 million people, and what seems like 10 million cars with aggressive drivers. My friend Fred is right, I have become feral. 

Happily, I'm living in an AirBnb for a month in a familiar neighborhood that's very bike/walk friendly, and has a generous amount of green space. The home and family are terrific, my room is comfy, and I'm eating quite well. I'm also 12 miles from downtown, as each Austin visit on the same budget pushes me further and further from city center. While I'm struggling with living indoors (honestly), driving too much, and staying on budget, there's plenty to crow about. 

Nearly a dozen folks welcomed me back with open arms after a two-year hiatus, including both of my cycling groups. I've already enjoyed a few rides, some great entertainment, and visited a few nearby small towns. I'm also finding time to catch up on the "to do" list, including summer travel planning, so when I return to tent living I'll be fancy-free. And, while gas prices should be lower (Alabama & Louisiana beat out Texas!), the HEB market still has the loveliest produce at the cheapest prices yet. 

I'll be wandering about Austin for another three+ weeks, then on to San Antonio. More to come.