Day 22: Hamilton Pool Reserve and Reimer State Park

After taking John to the airport, Steve-O , Chandler and I ventured towards Casa de Luz for breakfast. I was in desperate need for some juice so we stopped by the wonderful Daily Juice Cafe beforehand. It is an eclectic little raw foods cafe and juice bar. They have 3 different locations, so if you are in the area and need some yumminess, check them out. http://www.dailyjuice.org/
Chandler had a smoothie with grapefruit in it- that threw me off a bit... Steve-O had a yummy watermelon smoothie- oh my gosh, and I had my usual juice: carrot, beet, greens, and apple, with a side of wheatgrass.

We loaded up on juice and Casa de Luz's macrobiotic goodness and headed out to Dripping Springs, TX to spend more time at the Hamilton Pool Reserve. The morning started out cloudy and drizzly, and although that was a bit soothing in it's own way, I was really really wanting the sun to make her appearance.
Since our visit was limited last weekend (due to the parks early closing time) Chandler and I were anxious to hike down to the Pernales River, Something we didn't have time to check out before. The swampiness of the creek alongside the desert-like hill country is so beautiful. The hike all the way to the river was spectacular. Little crystal clear pools in the creek, huge old trees with their roots creeping up through the water like Swamp Thing, I loved it. And, the tall golden grass moving in the breeze, it is like I'm in a poem.

Once we got down to the river we decided to chill there for a while. It was so peaceful, we hardly saw another soul and although the sun still wasn't out, the weather was warm enough for it to be comfortable.

We eventually walked to the pool and Steve-o was just as amazed as we were with the magnificence of it. We laid our towels out and soon the sun came out. It turned in to what I consider the most perfect weather day! We spent a few hours walking around the pool and napping on the beach and decided to check out Reimer State Park next door.

Reimer was different from Hamilton Pool Reserve, in that it we hiked through a canyon and then out to the banks along the river. It was hot, but breezy and it was interesting seeing the difference in landscape. The boys took a swim in the chilly waters as I watched (I was not brave enough to get in those 60 degree waters!!).

As the sun dropped lower in the sky we left, heading back to Austin for dinner before driving to Killeen for Chandler's last day of work on base.

Austin City Limits

We checked in to the Marriott when we got to Austin and the boys took a little nap while I got ready to go out ;)

After I finally got them out of bed we made our way downtown. We stopped by Doc's in SoCo for a mimosa (me) and beer (them). We had fun exploring 6th street especially since Chandler and I had not spent too much time there the weekend before. Sixth Street pretty much consists of rooftop bars, good restaurants, dance clubs and tattoo parlors. We posted ourselves up at the Iron Cactus for a margarita and queso and then decided not to wait the hour and a half to get an official table so we continued our exploration.

The most exiting part of the night was when we found Austin City Limits. We noticed part of the street was blocked off and we could tell there was a band playing. We went to check out the scene and we were a bit disappointed that it was just the Steve Miller Band on a flat screen above the streets. It took us a minute to realize we were at the new downtown location of Austin City Limits and that the band was just in the building behind us! We walked up to the second floor and the ticket takers no longer were checking tickets (because it was late in the show) so we marched ourselves right in! We danced to a couple of songs including "Rockin' Me." It was such a cool experience seeing the whole set up and watching the crew film it live as people were watching us on tv!!

We finally made it to Hopdoddy for a Janis Joplin and a Chocolate milkshake at about 11pm then headed back to the hotel. Austin has really shown us a great time and we continue to love the city more and more :)

Day 21: Headin' back to Austin, Tx

This afternoon we will be heading back to Austin for a couple of days and I couldn't be more excited :))) Then, we hope to visit with Chandler's fam in Houston some more before going to San Antonio, then hitting up Big Bend! Our first National Park on the trip!!
Can't wait to be on the road again.

Day 20: County Fair in Killeen, Tx

The best night I've had in Killeen was probably my last. We discovered a county fair, I guess that's what it was... so after eating some yummy Indian food we headed over to check it out. It probably wasn't the greatest idea to go after we ate, but we had a lot of fun nonetheless.

Everyone went home with vertigo and maybe some motion sickness too, but it was all worth it :)

Hopdoddy Burger Bar - Austin, Tx

I want to continue with the good quality, cruelty free food postings.

I am really impressed with how many great vegetarian/vegan restaurants we have come upon. It's so refreshing to have so many delicious food options.
This one is for the best burger joint I've ever eaten at.
Chandler agrees.

Introducing the Janis Joplin:
An hemp seed veggie burger topped with avocado, sunflower sprouts, tilamook cheddar, chipotle ketchup all on a homemade bun. It came with house cut fries.

For you carnivores, they serve only organic hormone free beef that is ground in house.

Big plus, they brew their own beer and they serve it in goblets! We sampled a few and they were all terrific!!

http://www.hopdoddy.com/

Hamilton Pool Preserve - Texas

Hamilton Pool Preserve has to be one of the most majestic natural wonders I have ever seen. While doing my Texas research I happened upon a picture of this natural spring fed pool and knew I wanted to visit, but pictures just can't do this place justice. Words can't even describe. In fact when Chandler and I ended the short hike to the pool, we just starred, not saying anything and listen to the water. It is breath taking and I highly recommend anyone who is ever in the area to visit. We were very lucky that there weren't many others out there because I have heard that there can be and also the weather was just perfect.
The drive out there was enough to make me want to purchase a ranch in the rolling hills and I was totally awe struck. I couldn't get over the beauty of this place. I have a video that gives you a better feel and I will post it as soon as I figure out how :)

Lunch at Casa De Luz - Austin, TX

After a physically demanding morning in the city, we were hungry. We headed over to Casa De Luz, it is an organic, vegan, macrobiotic restaurant in Austin. It was a community dining room of sorts and it was a pretty interesting place. The best food I ate in the city for sure!
http://www.casadeluz.org/