High school and college students love to make spring break plans, and so do their teachers! Spring break week quickly approached, and my husband and I wanted to travel! Last year’s big vacation plan (Paris, sigh) was destroyed by Covid, so we had some plane ticket credit to use. First, we thought Puerto Rico – open for travel! But, and this was a big but, the territory required a negative Covid test prior to entry. Because we planned to travel with another couple, we feared one of us would throw a false positive, and our trip would be Covid-squashed yet again. Where to go? About that time, news outlets reported that Texas, in response to an influx of untested immigrants, was ditching masks. I know, I know, masks have most certainly saved lives, but OMH I was SICK of wearing one. So, we planned a Texas vacation.
We flew out of Atlanta on April 4 and arrived in San Antonio, TX early in the afternoon. We checked into the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk Hotel and headed to the hotel bar for a cocktail. Known fact – bartenders are smart and a wealth of service industry knowledge, so we quizzed Greg, the bartender, and he rewarded us with a list of must-try bars and restaurants. He warned us to stay away from the touristy areas of the River Walk, but when in San Antonio … Well, yes, the overly-crowded River Walk was not a trip highlight but worth the see. Unfortunately, as we munched on bar food at our riverside table, I noticed that even though we were outside, EVERYONE wore a mask. Thankfully, I had a nice glass of Pinot Grigio waiting to help me cope with the reality that I’d been lured by fake news.
The next days are a blur of vacation bliss. San Antonio rocks! My list of must-dos:
- Walk as far as your feet will allow on the River Walk, especially north toward The Pearl. Once you leave the downtown area, you’re rewarded with beautiful city views and completely romantic nighttime walks.
2. Of course, The Alamo. ‘Nuff said.
3. Go to the top of The Tower of the Americas for afternoon cocktails.
4. Bars and Restaurants – The Friendly Spot (somebody needs to do this in Athens, GA!), Bar 1919 (if you’re a Bourbon fan), Supper (at The Pearl), and Hot Joy.
After a glorious few days in San Antonio, we headed to Austin, and yes, I sang Blake Shelton’s “Austin” all the way there. Our original plan had been to rent a car and drive, stopping in small towns along the way; however, no rental cars were available, so we Ubered which ended up costing less than the rental car. Our Uber driver dropped us at The Faust Hotel in New Brussels, TX. The Rueben sandwich I ate for lunch did not disappoint, and the locals sitting at the bar could tell some stories! We walked around the quaint town square before calling another Uber to take us the rest of the way to Austin.
We checked into The Fairmont Austin and headed down to Rainey Street for an afternoon drink and a game of cornhole at one of the cottage bars lining the lane. Rainey Street on a Wednesday night is quiet and completely laid-back, but beware, it turns into an almost Mardi Gras-like experience on weekend nights.
We’d heard that Austin resembles our Athens, GA. So many of the neighborhoods reminded me of home, but it’s a much bigger city, so even though South Congress Ave. reminded me of Normal Town and Rainey Street a little of Five Points, it’s Athens times 20 with a boisterous, quirky personality only a TX city could carry off. I mean one of the must-dos is to watch the bats fly at sundown. If you can snag a table at the rooftop bar of The Line Hotel, you’re perched perfectly to see the swarm. Unfortunately, we were there a little early in the season, so we might have seen 30 or so bats.
We’ve got to talk food, barbecue specifically. I’ve never eaten so much meat in my life.
And, of course, you have to try an Austin steak. Bob’s is a date night, a place worthy of an extra dollar or two.
Austin, an almost indescribably complicated adventure. Take it slow and savor. With its highs must come lows. Austin’s homeless population shocks and disappoints. We walked around and over many sleeping in the streets, a tent city just outside a luxury hotel. Those images darkened my perception, and I wish I could forget. But, I shouldn’t. I hope I get to go back one day and see the culture without the heartache.
Been there; done that. 