Zilker Park and Barton Springs in Austin, TX

On April 18th, we drove almost 2 hours to spend the day in Austin, TX.  From all that I had been told about Austin, I knew I was going to like it.  Austin's slogan is 'Keep Austin Weird'.  We would fit right in.  

We didn't get there to almost noon.  Our first stop was Zilker Park.  We had to pay $5.00 to park because it was a weekend day.  We bought tickets for the 25-minute Zilker Zephyr train ride around the park.  As we waited for the next train, the boys played on the playground which is right next to the train station.  In fact, the train actually goes right through and under the playground.  

Love this picture of Scott.  

(You can see the train tracks underneath the playground).

The nice lady in front of us offered to take our picture.

The train cost $3.00/adults and $2.00/child.

This guy was playing the harmonica and guitar in the park.

It was a beautiful, hot day.  

The train took us on a 25-minute ride in the park.

The train went under bridges and through tunnels.

I was so glad that I brought our bathing suits so that we could get in the Barton Springs (although, Henry didn't have his suit because we can't find it).  It was $4.00/adults and $2.00/child to enter the spring.

The spring was much like a swimming pool because there were lifeguards and a diving board.  

We were shocked to discover that the water was actually really cold.  I thought springs were warm.  AND it was really slimy and slippery walking on the rocks.

Just relaxin...

Right at the entrance of the springs, 

there was this Splash Exhibit.  

We walked through it since it was free.

The Alamo and Riverwalk in San Antonio

On April 19th, we went to The Alamo

and the Riverwalk in San Antonio.

 It was a gorgeous, hot day.

It took us a while to find parking, but then we got lucky.

We found a parking lot that our truck would fit in...and it only cost $5.00 to park.  So many other parking lots were charging $20 to park.  There was a festival going on.  

This is the beautiful San Fernando Cathedral.

It was founded in 1731, and is the oldest continuously functioning religious community in the State of Texas.  

Here is the Riverwalk.

It truly is a really nice place to walk around, eat, shop.

There are all these boat tours, but we didn't take one.  

It was such a pretty day that I wanted to walk...and

not be packed in like sardines on a boat.  

The maps are horrible.

On the legend, it has the red dot for 'You are Here', 

but on the actual map there is no red dot!

It gives street names, but the Riverwalk is located below the streets so most of the time you have no idea which street you are on.  

See that little building on the right?

That's the Alamo.

Cactus

The Alamo is free to get in.  

If you choose to do the audio tour, it's $7.00.

You need to know the history of the Alamo before going

because there really isn't anything to tell you about it.

There are no cameras/cell phones/food allowed inside.

(And yes, they have people standing around making sure you're not whipping out your cell phone for a quick picture).  

Inside the Alamo is basically one large room and 1 small room.  

In each room, there are cases with different guns in them.  

There is a little section with a video playing...you get to pick which video plays.  The one we saw was about a gun battle.  

You can easily be in and out of the Alamo in 5-10 minutes.

We also went to the Rivercenter Mall since it's located right on the Riverwalk.  The boys/Henry ate there...I choose not to.  

There was some live music going on...which the boys were not fans of.

Then we went back to the Riverwalk to walk around some more.

It's nice and cool down there with a breeze coming through and lots of shade from the trees and bridges.  

Water Police

Little one was too tired to walk back

 to the truck so daddy to the rescue!