Discovering Austin

Over the weekend we decided to take a break from the house and check out some Austin sites. We took a tour of the state capitol Saturday afternoon and then went to see the bats on Congress Ave. Bridge Sunday evening.

The capitol tour was great. It was only about 30 minutes, so W held his own, but it was still pretty informative. It is the largest state capitol in the U.S. and all the detail was really pretty. In the 80's they re-did everything to look the way it did at the turn of the century, and most of the doors, windows, light fixtures, desks, etc. are original to the building. The grounds were also gorgeous- huge with lots of monuments and shaded, grassy spots for a picnic.

 

 Awesome hinges on most of the doors

 

  The rotunda- the star at the top is about 8.5 feet wide.

 

The Senate room with original desks sans ash trays and spittoons... fortunately.

The windows in the Senate. The capitol was literally plastered with stars from top to bottom.

 The House of Representatives (with original star lights)

 

The dome with the Goddess of Liberty on top. Those circles are the flags of every nation who has governed Texas: Spain, France, Mexico, Texas, the Confederacy, and the U.S.

Two handsome men :)

We were told the bats come out at sunset and it can take up to 45 minutes for them all to fly out. Because it's the very end of the summer before they disappear for the colder months, they came out later than we planned, but it was still pretty awesome. The river was gorgeous and W was perfectly happy to stay up an hour past his bedtime. We totally lucked into the perfect spot to watch them on top of the bridge. I guess they all head to the trestles under the bridge and then swoop out and we happened to be standing right on top of one. It was a little freaky when the first few came zipping out, but then you get used to it I guess. Except for those high fliers who come right past your face...

Waiting for the bats and enjoying the scenery

 Me and my sweet boy

View of downtown Austin and the capitol from the bridge

W was so happy sitting there watching cars, and especially buses, pass while we waited. Sometimes I wonder if our walks around the neighborhood are too boring for him considering he was so used to seeing buses, trucks, firetrucks & ambulances blaring their sirens, and lots of weird people on our walks in L.A.

Still waiting...

 

 Pretty view of the river- I liked watching the sunset reflected on that building.

The bats! It was pretty dark when they finally came, so this is the best photo I have. I guess you'll just have to come see them for yourself :)