Since Will stayed in Austin for the summer, I decided that a road trip there would be a nice break from reality, and time well spent with my three youngest--I can't believe they are 15, 17, and...Will will be 20 in a week! So, I made hotel reservations, and we hit the road Sunday afternoon after church. I wanted to eat at a restaurant, and they wanted to see Captain America...so we ate at the Brick Oven and after finding that the movie was sold out at Alamo Drafthouse, we found it at Tinseltown. Ka-ching! Food was great, movie was fun. But I realized that this was not going to be a cheap trip! We had a day of shopping planned, and had to eat!
Monday we went to the Capitol building, because none of us had ever been there, and it was just down the street. It is really big and pretty and its where government happens. We did the self-guided tour and took a few pictures. And tried not to get into political arguments. Well... we did, but I am no match for Will or Ames.
It was super hot by then, and we stepped into a gift shop on our way back to the car, just for the a/c. We had all agreed that going to bookstores and thrift stores would be something we could all enjoy, so I had my list of addresses from the internet ready. My GPS sometimes took us around in circles, but we did manage to have a good day!! After grabbing a bite at Thundercloud subs, we went to Half-price books, where Will and Carol would have liked to stay all day! It was conveniently next to Amy's Ice Creams, so we hung out there for a while to chill. We then hit three thrift stores and had a great time and great finds for all, including me. I found this awesome cotton dress, Indian style, I think, that fits perfectly, for four dollars!!! All the kids found clothes and shoes, and of course I had to get a couple of mugs. More $$$, but it was worth every penny. I rarely shop retail, except for clearance.
By 6 or so we decided we would just go back to the hotel room and hang out. Of course we had to eat so ordered pizza. We had fun watching HGTV for a while---somehow I have gotten addicted to House Hunters, Design on a Dime, and other such shows.
Tuesday morning after picking Will up from his digs at the co-0p, we went to Zilker Botanical Gardens (free). It was pretty, but very hot. Many hours over many years -- beautiful flagstone paths, ponds, gorgeous. Not the best time of year, though--I'd love to see it in the spring.
Then our last lunch---we went to Beets, all raw food. It was excellent--Will and Ames got actual food, and Carol and I shared a guacamole and got smoothies--mine was green and delicious. The guacamole had spinach and peas in it! and was wonderful. again, Cha-ching!! It takes mucho money to feed four people.
I am really glad we made this trip. However, traveling with teens is way different from traveling with children or sharing a journey with another adult. They are independent minded and have a different way of viewing the world. And of course, being individuals, it is a challenge to agree on an activity. You just don't do the same things you would do with a peer. And they think I am really funny and like to post "quotes" on facebook. :)
They grow up so fast.
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