South Congress Avenue and The Domaine

We've been told that there is nothing like an Austin breakfast taco! So, this morning, that's what we're having for breakfast! And having breakfast at Veracruz All Natural was the best!

There are so many taco variations on their brunch menu so deciding which one to try took a minute! Which we had more than enough enough time to decide because the long line was out the door!

I suggest you try the Migas (egg, tortilla chips, tomato, onion, cilantro, Monterey Jack cheese, and avocado) and a green smoothie! Mmm, good! Or, like Ann, try the Shrimp Macha Taco (shrimp sauteed in butter and garlic, rice, macha salsa (hot and spicy!), green onions, and avocado! And, add Dawn's choice, the Migas Poblanas Taco (egg, tortilla chips, poblano pepper, red onion, black beans, queso fresco, and avocado). You will enjoy any one of these are one of the many other varieties offered on their brunch menu!

Leaving Veracruz at the Line Hotel, we walked across the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge (informally referred to as the Congress Avenue Bridge). The bridge is a concrete arch that crosses over Lady Bird Lake. On November 16, 2006, the Austin City Council renamed the current bridge in honor of Ann W. Richards, the 45th Governor of Texas, and long-time resident of Austin.

A note of interest: the bridge serves as a 'cave dwelling' home for the Mexican free-tail bat from early March to early fall! After sunset, the bats pour out and cascade over East over Lady Bird Lake. We missed seeing this nightly show! But, it's an activity to plan for on our next visit.

Crossing the Congress Avenue Bridge, we strolled into SoCo, the popular and vibrant neighborhood south of Lady Bird Lake. The blocks are populated by iconic and boutique shops, restaurants, and bars.

Talk about busy! That's an understatement! Tourist, locals, young, old, families, everyone was here! Oh, yeah, and it was extremely hot and humid!

We made our way into several iconic shops (to enjoy the luxury of air conditioning and everyone seemed to have the same idea judging by the number of people inside):

- Tesoros Trading Company, the perfect place to browse and finger funky handcrafted clothes, jewelry, games, and household items, and unusual and unique folk art curios from around the world.

- Allens Boots, a Texas boot store tradition, was just as eclectic as Tesoros! Crazy, showy, extravagant, men and women cowboy boots and country western attire to appeal to every taste! If you are looking for cowboy boots for any occasion or style from the traditional to the exotic, you will find it in Allen's!

Our favorite stop on South Congress Avenue, well Amy's Ice Creams of course! A local chain with innovative ice cream selections. Just what we needed to cool off and refresh before our next destination!

O.K., I missed several good photo ops, but I was too hot and too many people on the sidewalks to stop, focus, and shoot! So, note to self for another time in Austin!

A trip always has to include some familiar retail therapy. Why not check out how the fashion and styles in another state compare to home? So, a Lyft-ing we went to The Domaine, a beautiful park-like shopping area with upscale and mainstream stores and restaurants.

While many of the stores in central Texas are identical to those in southern California (Macy's and Nordstrom are no different!), I was excited to visit my first Starbuck's Reserve! And see a lot of shops I've heard of, but I hadn't visited in southern California yet (i.e. CB2, Free People Movement).

And, after a casual patio dinner (the grain bowls rocked!) at Flower Child, health food restaurant (another newbie and first for me!) , we headed back to our hotel with another day full of memorable activities in Austin.Read more