Mike's Marathon Blog

I just returned from an amazing long-weekend in Austin. What a city! This was my second time to Austin and it did not disappoint. If I were to move anywhere in the country, I think Austin would be the place. It’s very laid-back, young, active, hot and has more of a town-feel than a big city. The food is delicious (although I ate more Mexican & BBQ in 4 days than I have all year), the people are genuinely polite and the ratio of blondes to guys is about 10:1.

We arrived in Austin on Thursday (9-02-10 day and yes, as soon as we got to the hotel room I watched the episode when Dylan discovers that his father is alive, has another family and has been in the witness protection program the entire time – amazing). We flew JetBlue. SportsCenter, Saved By The Bell, House, CSI Miami and you’re there! I’m not sure why you would fly any other airline? Our good friend Barry lives in Austin and picked us up from the airport. We had some lunch (Mexican food 1 of 30), sat by the pool, visited his apartment, walked around the city and caught up with Austin’s-own Tito for the rest of the night (their local vodka). And as we were beginning our mini-week in Austin, he jumped on a plane back to Boston for the weekend. What are the odds? Anyway, it was great to see him and at least spend 1 day with him.

How many days per year does it rain in Texas? 5 – 10? Of course, it rains when we’re there. We had a nice little day planned for Friday, but apparently Earl followed us 2,000 miles across the country. We ate and shopped instead. Barry told us about a great diner for chicken and waffles. It was my first time and it will not be my last, let me tell you. I can’t think of a better way to start off your day than a plate of carbs covered in grease, butter and syrup!

Lady Bird Lake is a reservoir on the Colorado River in the middle of the city. The rain let up a bit, so Jack and I decided to take a run along the path that travels around the entire lake. This path alone almost makes me want to move to Austin. To say Austin is a young, active city is a vast understatement. We ran about 6 miles and must have passed about 10,000 people. And these were not obese walkers! They were the most fit, in-shape, athletic people I have ever seen in my life. There were people running, biking, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle surfing and this was all in 95 degree weather! And every other person was running with their dog. There was even a section where dogs could run without a leash. It was insane! There must have been a hundred dogs running around, playing, fetching balls in the water. Tula would fit right in, minus the other dogs, the other people, the playing, the running and the fetching balls in the water.

The main reason we were in Austin for the weekend was another friend of ours was getting married. That night was a pre-wedding celebration at The Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion. I’m just gonna quote Adam Richman from Man vs Food:

“My never ending quest for barbeque bliss has lead me to the Salt Lick. Unbelievable! It melts in your mouth. One of the best things I have ever eaten! And the burnt ends of the brisket – a work of true, true poetry – crispy, creamy, chewy, salty, and sweet from the sauce. They were perfect!”

I couldn’t have said it better myself. It was the best meal I have ever had in my entire life, hands down, not even a close second.

Trust me, I was the only guy not in jeans and cowboy boots. People were staring.

The next day we visited a local watering hole called the Barton Springs Pool, which is a man-made section of a creek from the lake and is filled with water from a natural spring, so the water is always around 68 degrees. It was a great place to relax and cool off for a few hours.

We returned to the hotel, met up with an old friend and headed to a ‘hole-in-the-wall’ restaurant for lunch. Burritos and margaritas is pretty much what you’re getting anywhere you go in this town.

Me and Murray. Yes, Murray!

That night was the big night! Buses took us to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for the wedding (as you can guess, the former first lady played a major role in the beautification of Austin). The venue was so unique, the ceremony was short and sweet, the food was terrific and the 80’s cover-band was entertaining/hysterical (they actually wore Adidas jumpsuits for the last set). It was a fantastic night and totally worth the trip.

Me, Jack and the beautiful bride Nikki!

Now I must fast for the week and prepare my stomach/liver for next weekend…….another wedding.