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Saturday, August 22, 2009

Staycation 2009


John and I had talked before about the idea of a "staycation" -- time where he takes off work but we "stay" home and visit our hometown as tourists. We've had a few fun Saturdays out exploring that caused us to think more seriously about the idea. Then I realized what I truly want in a vaction -- time away from my day-to-day chores (cooking), time with my family. And what I don't enjoy about going on trips -- packing, all the laundry upon return, getting there and back. A staycation would give me what I wanted without the stresses of what I didn't. So, with just a few days' notice, John scheduled some time off, and I planned some events for the family. I worked through Austin by "area", choosing activities and restaurants. We stayed home for Elizabeth's morning nap some days. Mostly, she napped as we went along our activities.

Day One: South Central
brunch at Kerby Lane
Austin Science and Nature Center
Zephyr at Zilker; explore Zilker and Barton Springs
dinner at Shady Grove
Bat cruise

(We were hot and exhausted after day one and scaled back the other days)

Day Two: Central
lunch at Central Market
afternoon at Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
walk around The Triangle
dinner at Mandola's
gelato at Teo's

Day Three: Round Rock
breakfast at Lone Star Bakery (Round Rock Donuts)
Inner Space Caverns -- we saw lots of bats and were the only guests on our early tour
lunch at Rudy's
afternoon at Rock 'n' River -- John and I took turns watching the girls while the other went on the slides. FUN for all of us with shallow splash areas for Elizabeth, kiddie slides for Caroline, fun slides for the grown-ups, and a lazy river for the whole family.
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posted by 10:27 PM

3 Comments:

Blogger Rita.the.bookworm said...

This sounds like so much fun! We have done that before, especially the week between Christmas and New Year's. Mike always takes that week off, and often we stay here and hit all the fun spots in town. But, of course, the Twin Cities in the middle of winter has less to offer than Austin in the summer. You hit the same spots we'd go to if we actually visited! I love looking at the pictures you post, too, I can't believe how big the girls are getting.

10:02 AM  
Blogger Marc, Carlye, Georgia and Sarah Jane said...

So freaking cool! I'm pretty sure if we tried that in WF we'd be done in 3 hours. World's smallest sky scrapper, train museum, falls and done. What about that state cemetery we talked about a few years ago? Have you ventured over there?

10:03 PM  
Blogger Amanda Fowle said...

Still haven't hit the state cemetery, but it is on my list. It is just. too. hot!

10:07 PM  

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