[New] State Fair

Don't worry Minnesotans, I saw all of your posts of the Great Minnesota Get Together [for non-MNers this is the State Fair]. Apparently the only state fair that can rival Minnesota's is Texas, so I may have moved to the right state.

However, I would challenge any state fair to be more important to its constituents as the Minnesota State Fair is to Minnesotans. You see, in MN it marks the end of summer. No, not just we-all-go-back-to-school-now kind of summer, I mean leaves-start-turning-jacket-wearing-apple-picking-and-spiced-mulled-wine kind of summer ending.

Well, I haven't had a fair to go to, but I thought I'd fill you all in on some of the tourist-y Austin items I've done during fair season.

Listened to live music

Live music is everywhere so it isn't difficult to find music to listen to. However, I was able to go to the Historic Scoot Inn and listen to Bad Books. Great experience, awesome band and fun outdoor venue.

Also, I made it to the final Blue on the Green concert at Zilker Park of the summer.

Watched the bats, on the bat bridge

This is an interesting one. It comes up at the top of every "must do" list in Austin, but it is bats. However, when a friend was in town we went and checked it out. Kind of cool! I'm not going to put it at the top of my "must see" list, but what do I know I'm just a new person in Austin, not a professional travel blogger.

Participated in Austin nightlife

My first weekend here, I was invited to go two-stepping --if that isn't Texas enough for you. We then continued on our way to Dirty 6th [I understand the nickname]. I've also become a regular at Bangers on Rainey Street [the only beer establishment on the street, are we surprised this is where I am recognized?]. I also made it over to West 6th as well. Pretty much, I'm out too late too many nights, but look it's a new city and I'm making friends!

Looked out the overlooks

I have gone to both Mount Bonnell and the 360 Overlook. Mount Bonnell is essentially an overlook designed to make you feel "lesser than." The houses you see along the river aren't actually houses they are straight up mansions [new goal: make friends with one of those homeowners, they have pools and tennis courts].

The 360 Overlook had a view of downtown and of course we went at sunset. What a romantic roommate bonding experience.

Ate tacos & drank margaritas

People from MN ask me about this. I think it's because we come from the land of casseroles, deep-fried cheese, beer and carbs [not that there's anything wrong with any of the items listed]. But yes, I've eaten a lot of tacos, from food trucks, from restaurants, and from my kitchen [Joy makes a mean shrimp taco]. And pretty much anytime I have a taco, I'm also trying out a margarita. I was introduced to mezcal... delicious, and a spicy margarita.... even more delicious.

Bought a hat on South Congress

South Congress is the infamous shopping street of Austin. While window shopping, I accidently found myself real shopping. I fell in love with a hat at a hat shop. I don't need a hat, the hat was more expensive than a hat should be, and it's made of wool so it's slightly impractical for the hot weather of Texas, but of course I bought the hat. And it's adorable, and that's that.

Walked around Lady Bird/Town Lake

I have been informed by locals that Town Lake is what I should call it to sound like a local. However, I Googled why the name was changed [I'm from MN, Calhoun was changed to Bde Maka Ska for a reason I get and support]. Turns out the name change happened in 2014 when Lady Bird Johnson died, because apparently she did a lot to make the lake was it is today. I'm all about female empowerment, so Lady Bird is what I'm going with.

On to my experience, I walked over 6 miles in the middle of a hot day in Austin. There is a possibility that I got hangry and hot at the same time. Thank you to Joy and Luke for bringing me to food, water and shade -- you are the true heros of this story.

Ate barbecue

I have made it to Terry Black's and Coopers for some great barbecue. It's delicious, but if you are vegetarian I'm recommend skipping this experience all together.

I think I'm a half pound of pork ribs and a quarter pound of turkey order-er. Fun fact, I don't eat beef so if you have recommendations in this category -- I'm not trying the beef brisket.

Did the water things: Swam in Lake Travis/Barton Springs/Campbell's Hole & Tubed San Marcos River

I'm getting the impression that water activities are important to Austinites -- and I'm loving it. Growing up in a town with a lot of lakes [Google Lindstrom, MN is looks like an island there are so many lakes surrounding it] I've always been a water enthusiast and am happy to move somewhere that has so many activities based

around it.

I'm missing some of the small things, but I felt as many of my MNers went to the Great Minnesota Get Together to eat Sweet Martha's Cookies, attend concerts, drink crazy flavored beers, and of course eat something/anything deep fried and on-a-stick, I'd share some of the experiences I've had in Austin during the state fair season!

Locals, let me know if I'm missing as big items from the must do's of Austin, Texas.

Advice: When buying an expensive hat, do a double-try-on tactic. Try it on, leave the store walk around. If you are still thinking about the hat in 15 minutes, your brain is most definitely secreting opamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphin [love cocktail people know your biology], so you've definitely fallen in love. Go back, try that hat on again and this time just keep it on and hand over your credit card.