From Boston to Austin: Wrap: First week (and a few days)

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Wrap: First week (and a few days)

So we've made it here for over a week without bolting back to New England in horror. Much of our time has been spent opening, unpacking and breaking down carboard boxes. That phase, thankfully, is beginning to wind down, although our daybed is still under a massive pile of used packing paper.

Consumed daybed

We did have a few chances to get out and do some other things. We had some nice weather this weekend, so Rachel, Lester and I went to the Bull Creek Greenbelt -- one of many greenbelt trails throughout the city. Lester even enjoyed a swim in the polar bear waters.

Creek crossing -- don't try to cross when the water hits 5!

Climber, Bull Creek Park

Lester swimming in Bull Creek

View along the greenbelt

We haven't made it out too much for food yet, but we did go out for tasty authentic Mexican-style tacos around the corner at Taqueria Arandas. We tried a variety of simple, soft corn tortilla tacos: chicken, beef, pork and guacamole. We stayed away from the more exotic fillings -- which include brains and tongue for the more daring. Ewww!

Other than a quick trip downtown, the rest of our time outside of the house and the office has been spent exploring our area in the north of Austin. Found a few nice places to walk. Lester has taken to the off-leash dog walk in our neighborhood like a second home. There's also lots of great shopping around here. Burnet Road (pronounced "burn it", durn it!) is a great commercial strip with lots of independently owned businesses. There are tons of furniture and crafts stores, and even a store dedicated exclusively to light bulbs featuring a sign that is, shall we say, eye-catching? Actually, many of the businesses along Burnet Road have great, throwback signs high above the street. There are some serious throw-back eateries on Burnet, too, plus some great ethnic markets and restaurants. In addition to the aforementioned Arandas, we've checked out Phoenicia Bakery & Deli (middle eastern food counter and market) and Billy's on Burnet (very casual bar and grill with a nice outdoor deck). If you like food and you come to visit, we can spend a week eating our way up and down Burnet Road.