My friend "B" (like me, a cyclist and a recent California transplant) and I, along with 1800+ other cyclists, took over Gruene for the day to participate in the Tour de Gruene.
The tour gained fame last year, when Lance Armstrong (a Texas native and Austin resident, for those of you not in the know) entered and won the individual time trial. Neighboring New Braunfels also plays host to Wurst Fest, a sausage festival, a big draw to foodies and athletes alike.
With the choice of an individual time trial, two-person time trial, or a leisurely 15, 30, or 50-mile ride, they was plenty to choose from. As we drove into town, bicycle-toting cars were backed up all the way out to the Farm-to-Market road (that's a county road, in California-speak).
We missed the roll out because we were among the many who had chosen to register on the day-of. No worries... just out for a fun ride. (More so for "B" than for me -- I hadn't ridden my bike in two months!)
The route was mostly flat (with some good rollers), low-traffic (the cars we did see were very friendly!), and well-supported. "Relaxation stations" were located every 10 miles or so, stocked with snacks, drinks, and the requisite port-o-potty or two. "B" graciously rode at my pace and I can feel those 50 miles today, I tell ya.
Lunch at the Gruene River Grill with some of "B's" cycling buddies from the Texas gulf coast rounded out the day nicely!
Back in Austin...
I don't think a year has gone by when I didn't carve a pumpkin -- really! Doesn't matter where I am, it really makes the Halloween holiday special for me.
Here's my spooky bowl of candy for trick-or-treaters...
Unfortunately, none came. Still, gotta be prepared!
Here's my pumpkin:
Here's my costume:
I got dressed up but the costume business, like the candy, was kind of a bust. I'd tried to arrange a people-watching trip to downtown with my Central Market "friends," but they never got back to me.
I decided to drive down to 6th Street on my own. 6th Street is the epicenter of Austin's Halloween celebration. The city closes down an area of downtown that's six blocks long and two blocks wide to traffic, and 30,000 to 40,000 roam the streets and pack into bars and clubs. Pretty crazy really. It was not something I'd recommend doing solo.
Lots of interesting and creative costumes, but not very much fun when you're by yourself. Next year, I'll go with a group!
Here are some shots of the 6th Street action (some my own, some courtesy of the Austin Chronicle). I loved the balloon boy, super tall grim reaper, and Where the Wild Things Are costumes.
Happy Halloween.
