Last we checked in on the eastward repositioning, we had just left Seminole Canyon State Park near Del Rio, TX.
Austin is what I consider my home town, where I grew up. Since my brother still lives there, it’s a frequent place we route through when crossing the country. Austin is also attracts amazing people, which tends to fill up our social calendar rather quickly.
Knowing this visit wouldn’t be nearly as long as we’d like, we did our best to not book up our commitments. Which is very difficult to do. But no matter what we’ve tried in the past, we usually leave Austin with bellies full of good food, and exhausted from running around town trying to meet up with everyone.
So, here’s how this visit went.
Driveway Surfing in Canyon Lake
Last October, we had the pleasure of crewing for blog readers Christel & Fred at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. With all the early morning balloon stuff, we didn’t get much of a chance to get to know them, but they certainly left an impression on us.
Well, I mean, how could they not when we got to ride in a freakin hot air balloon??
Turns out, they live in-between San Antonio and Austin, and they extended an invite to driveway surf with them (and share in local Texas wines) during our pass through.
It was a delightful stop over for a couple nights (saving us from having to find a camping option over a weekend) and wonderful to get to know these two better. There was lots of laughter, excellent food and wine in a gorgeous area of the hill country on their property.
Hey guys, as beautiful as your home is… wishing you all the best in getting it sold and out in your RV more!!
Spring Break and SXSW in Austin
When our intentions to head east started to take form last fall, and the timing was looking likely for March-ish – I snagged a 2-week reservation at McKinney Falls State Park in Austin. I don’t normally pre-book sites that far in advance, but we know better this time of year in Austin.
Between Spring Break and SXSW happening, the whole area gets booked up quickly. And heck, there’s only a $5 fee if we ended up needing to forfeit any part of the reservation.
Located in what was once the outskirts of south Austin (and quickly being enveloped by the ever expanding population growth), this park is a gem and an all time favorite of ours. The campsites are huge and private feeling, amongst luscious trees. There’s walking trails, a creek and water falls. But yet, close enough to be pretty darn accessible to all that is awesome.
And of course – after countless school field trips and science club campouts during high school – the park brings back a wee bit of nostalgia for me.
Since my brother lives in South Austin, it’s a pretty convenient spot to meet up with him and his sweetie after their work days.
While we didn’t host any meetups while in Austin, we did connect with some friends while in the area. We joined up with our RVing buddies Sam & Tracy a couple times, met up with Travis & Mel for an Xscapers birthday lunch and some SXSW friends for breakfast.
It had been a while since we spent any time in a ‘big city’, so we used the opportunity to attend to some errands.
I love Austin for thrift shopping, so we did a little bit of a wardrobe switch out while in town (one of our tricks for keeping a versatile wardrobe in a small space).
And my just out of warranty iPhone has quit taking a charge, so a visit to the Apple Store was a must (they swapped it out for just $79 as a battery replacement.)
It also rained for several days, which kept us at home. Which was actually quite nice. We hadn’t seen rain in months after being in the desert, and we were able to get caught up on some work projects – namely some more cellular antenna testing.
While we were in town for the start of SXSW Interactive (an event we’ve spoken at before), we honestly didn’t make much effort to venture in and un-attend as we have in the past.
One drive through downtown convinced us we just didn’t need to endure the crowds.
This visit, we ended up only sticking around Austin about a week. Just long enough to get in some family quality time, run some big city errands, meet up with friends and catch an early wildflower bloom.
A pretty tame visit, and we managed to leave Austin not feeling our usual level of over-exertion.
Maybe there’s hope for this balance thing?
What’s Up Ahead?
Despite massive flooding shutting down major roads at the LA/TX state line – we’re still making miles east. We just left the New Orleans area this morning. I’ll get the travelogue caught up soon on how we managed to route through.
We’ll cross into Florida tomorrow and enjoy a couple more stops until we join up with our parents at the end of the month. We’re moving right along, striving to find balance in miles, exploring and down time.
Love catching up on your adventures. I’m can’t wait to hear all about the cruise, Canada and the return to Florida. Have fun!
Hey Guys, great post. New follower here looking forward to reading up from the past posts.
I will have to add that state park furor next visit to Austin…it sounds Awesome….
That spot you picked really looks nice. Always wanted to visit Austin, but now I would not want the crowds. Sounds like you arranged it to have the best of both no crowds and getting to see the area.
State Parks near big cities are some of our favorite ways to balance city life with our desires for a more peaceful stay.
We always have the same challenge of finding balance when we return to our hometown of Ashland, OR. Sounds like you were successful this time around — and it looks like you had a great time. We’re traveling opposite directions — we’re just leaving Florida after spending a fabulous winter here. On our way to Austin (staying at Pecan Grove, our fav) in mid-April. Safe travels!
Pecan Grove is our other favorite spot in Austin.. wonderful there! All booked up during this visit, but oh so accessible to everything! Enjoy your visit.
I didn’t think so but could hope to see your apps available for Android Oh well. Enjoy.
US Public Lands and State Lines are available for Android, we have a developer who did the ports for us. Not sure Coverage? will ever get there, we’re just lacking the time 🙂
I enjoy reading your blog and find I learn something each time. Thank you. About that phone battery, it’s clear you are both dedicated Apple aficionados. I am an open architecture fan – and cheap. I just bought a new battery for my Samsung S5 for $8.49 including shipping. Perhaps Android is worth another look – or not. Compared with my S5, I was not impressed with the S6 or the S7. Maybe the S8 will be better – I’m hoping. Thanks again for all you share.
As iOS app developers, don’t think you’ll be seeing us switch to Android anytime in the foreseeable future 🙂
Hey Guys!
I love your blog! I started reading you as a recommendation from my dad who is now a full timer! He actually met you in FL last year sometime!
Now, I myself am aspiring to take my family to the realm of Full-Timer status! Our dream is to convert a School Bus. After lots of hard work I’m in a position to buy a bus. However, I keep running into one hang-up that prevents me from purchasing and I was wondering if you might have some insight. I want to do the conversion myself, but I need a place to store the bus while I convert it. I’ve called numerous RV storage lots etc.. No one wants to store it if we’ll be working on it on the premises, I suppose it has to do with liability. Are there any places you know of to look for that will allow us to store and convert? Or is there a site like the boondockerswelcome.com, which you reference in your youtube video: free & cheap rv camping that might have a place listed like this. I know there’s got to be a place out there, the problem is finding where? I should mention that I’m currently an apartment dweller located in the sprawling suburbia that is south of Houston, TX.
Thank you guys for any and all advice you can offer on this! It’s very much appreciated!
-Dirk
Hi Dirk.. this is definitely a concern, and a reason we decided to purchase something already converted, and do projects as we go. You might want to try joining the Skoolie.net community (and maybe even busconversions.com) and getting connected. They might have tips & resources to share, and perhaps even folks with ‘bus barns’ on their private property you might be able to make arrangements with. Good luck!
More adventures for you! I appreciate all the information that you share. As it gets closer to my date to pick up my Casita 17’SD, I am getting excited and looking forward to using lots of your information to help me choose my phone carrier ( from Sprint to Verizon ), insurance for my tow and my trailer, mail forwarding, etc. Since I won’t be on the road until August, I don’t feel I have to sign up for any of these until maybe June or July. Thank you for all the very helpful information you share. Happy Trail on your eastern trek.
Pamelab in Houston
Wishing you lots of fabulous adventures ahead!
Love Austin!
Love that state park, such a pretty spot! Looks like you had a great time, always nice to spend some time in familiar and familial places. Safe travels in Florida!
It is definitely a gem of a park!
I love these folks. Honest, authentic, genuine, entertaining AND informative. In other words, awesome. We are getting ready to hit the road in a 1995 Winnebago Rialta, and have really enjoyed your blog. I had originally been sent a link to the Wynn’s blog and Twitter feed, etc. – but I couldn’t relate to them at all. I found the Technomadia site while doing some pre-cross-country-trip research, and have really enjoyed it and have learned a lot.
Best wishes to you both for continued joy in your travels.
Aww… thanks Julia. The Wynns are awesome folks, and the wonderful thing about so many sharing is that hopefully everyone can find content & presentation style the clicks.
Glad you found your way over here 🙂
Mazel Tov! I myself just returned from a week in Tel-Aviv. New Country Song. “Why did I ever leave, Tel-Aviv?” Somebody please write it for me? Should include mention that I returned with only 20 Shekels to my name! 😉 (Til next paycheck/pension check!). Loved the Carmel Market. Oh, and I have a cat now. It came to my back door and announced that it would now be my Gato. Awesome Tuxedo cat. Don’t know how to tell it’s gender — ?? If you had told me that I would have a cat I would have laughed. I’m a dog person. Anyway Mazel Tov for your fun journey!
Welcome back stateside.. and congrats on the new companion 🙂