If you knew me, you’d know I gave up my car in early 2007, and commuted around the Bay Area on bike for two years. But last I checked, riding up and down the hills of Austin in 100-degree heat is not a wise maneuver for someone who isn’t accustomed to the local climate. How many days of 3-digit temperatures did y’all have this year? And although you asseverate that Austin is comparatively tiny, I did not have the luxury of staying in the downtown area. My lodging was pretty far from all the good stuff; even the grocery store was almost a mile away.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I just thought about my title again. That was fun! Now I’m going to think about something else. I’m glad I had a great time in your town, and super glad I never met you.

Actually you were one of the people who impressed me the most with your git-up-n-go. It would’ve been great to have lots more adventures with you; maybe I should’ve suggested it instead of assuming I was taking too much of your time & generosity!

You might be right: maybe I just don’t quite get it yet. Not in a bad way, just… I wasn’t there long enough to really get the hang of things, most likely. I’ll have to come back and hang out for longer, eh?

austin is known to many as ‘the velvet rut’ for all the reasons you mentioned. it is remarkably easy to just get by here and be perfectly satisfied and happy with one’s existance. a survey a few years ago determined that the average education level of certain grocery store workers in austin was the same or better than in most fortune 500 companies. “that guy sacking your groceries at whole foods has a masters in zoology” kinda thing.

but by that same token, while it may look like nothing is getting done here, it is. austin has a very active, vibrant community of do-ers – arts, community, small businesses, industrial activism, government, etc etc. i think you just have to have been in the flow here long enough to stretch your feet out and feel the strong undercurrent.

and yeah, austin can be rough in the summer. this year was a record kind of misery too, with no immediate relief in sight. however, the great thing is, once the downward slope of the summer begins, you couldn’t ask for a better climate. our winter is notoriously brief (a couple weeks of uncomfortable cold/wet in february) with long pleasant autumn and spring on either side. my a/c usually goes off sometime in mid-september and does not come on again til april or may. at that point, riding a bike or waiting for a bus is far less daunting.

had i known you wanted to go any of those places, i would have been happy to go (ok, maybe not the 8am in luling… i have my limits). we texans are very accomodating, and thrilled at any chance to show off our stuff, but we are not (completely) psychic.

was good to meet you. float through again!

The months went on and the air became cool and comfortable all hours by late September. My family and I were finally able to enjoy and thrive in all of the beauty and wonder this fantastic city has to offer in so many ways over the next eight months. This summer, despite the record highs in June (which are unusual for this area) we found ourselves much more acclimated and outdoors working in the yard and garden, hiking and exploring and doing many things outside all hours of the day.

We feel for our visitor’s suffering with the heat and humidity. We too remember how it once felt. And we remember feeling like not getting outside and getting anything done, slaves to the air conditioning with a need for it like oxygen. It does get better the longer you’re here, I promise! People can and do get things done in Austin…eventually!

I wish I would have known you were here, I would have loved to have taken you gardening at 8am in the morning on a Saturday!

Thank you for writing! I very much enjoy your blog!

Austin is a cool town. I was there for SXSW and loved it. But it was so HOT and I was surprised by the urban sprawl. I envisioned the city totally differently. But the people were so so nice and friendly, which is always a huge travel bonus.

Hugs and safe travels.

BTW – if you are ever in Sacramento, CA send me an email. You are more than welcome to crash with us.