Before I started working in Dilley, I took a little road trip around some of the major cities in Texas. While I've prided myself on how many times I've flown by myself, this was the first time where I stepped off the plane and had no one I was meeting up with. So, I did what I love to do and explored each city on foot, stopping along the way for some vegetarian food.
san antonio
- I took every opportunity to walk along the river and thought, "If I lived here, I would run here every day," which then led me to remember that I live 2 blocks from Central Park and run there approximately once a month...
- The Alamo is slightly underwhelming but the gift shop does not disappoint in it's "I <3 Texas" paraphernalia
- The Pearl District is pretty cool and although eating at restaurants by myself is weird, Green Vegetarian Cafe is delish
austin
Finally able to respond to people who tell me, "You'll love Austin!" with "Yes, I did!"
- So many vegetarian restaurants (Bouldin Creek Cafe, Conscious Cravings, Counter Culture, etc.), I was very well fed
- UT Austin is almost as beautiful as Chapel Hill, but then you remember it's steps from the Texas Capitol
- Graffiti park does not dissappoint
- Once again imagined myself running along the river if I lived here, once again reminded that I infrequently run in Central Park
Galveston
Galveston was the city that always got me a slightly confused look when I explained my road trip plans. I've never seen the Gulf of Mexico, though (does a glimpse from Tampa count?) so I was eager to spend a day at the beach.
- You can't possibly forget how often this place gets hit by major hurricanes. Compared to other beaches I've been to, the area around it is so underdeveloped
- I swam in the Gulf of Mexico and it was warm and lovely, but am I now covered in oil?
- What a quaint city, despite it declaring that it has an "original" Mexican cafe
Houston
Tried to see as much of this metropolis in one sunny, 95-degree day, which required a couple gallons of water
- The river walk is pretty, but how is it that brown?
- Houston street art does not disappoint, even if it's often overshadowed by that of Austin
- Houston Pride should have let me in with my water bottle because I was just trying to stay hydrated and save the planet at the same time
- Montrose neighborhood thrift stores gave me some nice AC while I browsed for hours
- Rice University really does have a lot of trees and a lot of owls
A consistent thought: why does no one in Texas carry water bottles?
Even those who appear to be going for a walk?
Even those who appear to be going for a walk?
And on the final day...