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| Austin, Texas, The Oasis at Lake Travis, The Alamo (Photos by Lindsay Amanda) |
Many people know Austin, Texas as the city as “The Live Music Capital of the World.” As many may or may not know, I am a travel enthusiast and whether the experience is mainstream or happening on the outskirts of common expectations, I often find beauty in the simplest of moments.
I have been to significant landmarks and cities throughout the great state of Texas. I have family in Sugar Land, Dallas-Forth Worth, College Station, and have traveled to San Antonio when I was in high school for a national dance competition. It is fair to say I have a solid base knowledge of the land. Well I have never been to suburban Austin until this past visit.
I again visited San Antonio while my gracious hosts gave us a calming tourist walk through the historic little town. Quite honestly, I forgot what to expect from my first visit, so I took the trip as a brand new adventure. The Alamo is the sun of the city’s system. It holds the history and heritage of a proud southern, yet modern town. The River Walk is a colorful economic and social parade. The river had always been there, even in the times of the Alamo battle, but the citizens of San Antonio simply enhanced the geography with commerce. Preserving the natural lands and incorporating it into expansion is often the fundamental principle of residency to a land.
Some say they expected more when they visited, expected it to be grand, but let’s face it, we did ultimately lose the battle. Remembrance of the lost is one thing; nothing grand has ever come from forgetting the lessons of the past. However, moving forward is what our civilization does best, why not preserve what still stands while continuing on? The Alamo still stands, and no other building is permitted to cast a shadow on its grounds. That is the essence of remembrance, respect and renowned perseverance.
I adore being a quiet tourist, one that takes in the scenes and lifestyles of diverse locations. Becoming part of the flow, rather than standing out in the crowd. This particular trip it was easy to do because I was visiting a loved one’s dear family while finding my place in a new destination.
Sports to the south are like air to most of us, or at least they often are in Texas. They are integrated into the purpose of growing and living life. I was given the opportunity to be a part of this perspective, although if you know me at all, you know it is not hard for me to love being a spectator and fan. It is officially baseball season. A sport I had to learn to appreciate as my passion for athletics matured and continue to expand.
The tournaments I attended were not my brother’s common Little League games, but rather what we call “club teams” in Cali or “travel teams” rather. I was proud to be part of the cheering supporters of the Rough Riders at the ballpark scenery. I remember it being a bit different than when I was dragged to the Mission Viejo lake fields as a kid. I honestly don’t remember being this content and enjoying it as much as I did this time around. Possibly because you often take your family for granted, yet when you are welcomed into another’s, it is a uniquely special feeling.
We did of course have one more major regional experience that both native and touring visitors should never pass on the chance to see. We had dinner at The Oasis on the cliffs of Lake Travis. Originally set as a standard burger joint, this place has evolved into an elegant setting flared with fine Mexican cuisine. The grounds have become so popular that expanding renovations have already begun. Local artists come to share their goods, and the creative knick-knacks that decorate the grounds give the well-known restaurant a welcoming home.
One of my traveling tendencies is to veer toward water or living springs of one form or another. Watching daylight pass into dusk at the beautiful Oasis gave me, and I’m sure all in attendance, a sense of peace and romance. It is a substantially large restaurant with 3 plus levels of tables and entertainment. It is the stage setting of a great time, but in the perfect form of company it is truly priceless.
Another love affair I am guilty of is the appreciation of bold brick buildings. I have seen homes and places of business built with this rustic yet colorful design in such states as Colorado, Indiana, Washington D.C. and of course Texas. It is hard to explain why I find this architectural design to be so special to me, but it may have something to do with tradition and history.
If I could be so liberal as to imagine a Utopian and wholesome home village, it would be filled with the oranges and reds of a brick foundation, pinks and blues of blossoms, and softly lit oil lamps illuminating the streets. I have been told residents of these native brick towns find stucco to be a fascinating decor, but I find it boring and drab, which is of course another example of how we take what is given to us for granted. For those who haven’t experienced the wonders of the lone star state I wish you all the best memories yet to come!
“This song will become the anthem of your underground…” The first words of the echoing “At Your Funeral” from Saves The Day’s 2001 album Stay What You Are instantly bring me back to nostalgia for my youth. The highlights, or at least the songs that I will forever badly sing/yell along to, included that single along with “Shoulder At The Wheel” from their album in 1999, and my first love of theirs, Through Being Cool.
