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Not counting an early morning trip to my cousin\u2019s impressive community garden in Austin, Texas, where we picked tomatoes, tomatoes, and more tomatoes, as well as peppers, onions, and eggplant, most of our touristy activities in the capital of the Lone Star State involved plants.<\/p>\n
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n It was hot, yeah, but the walkways through this lovely 284-acre facility are abundantly shaded. The center is the botanic garden for the University of Texas at Austin, and its educational mission is evident, but it\u2019s not just for students. Homeowners go there to learn about the conservation of native plants and creating back yard environments compatible with local conditions. It was great to see little kids enjoying the water features, a sandy play area, and the animal sculptures. The grounds are planted with more than 800 native Texas species that, over the seasons, display successive waves of color. Naturally, the one plant that didn\u2019t have a label was the one that fascinated us (woolly ironweed, above, which looked like fireworks), but the volunteers and staff were quick to sort us out! A lovely facility and nice gift shop too.<\/p>\n photo (cropped): Glen Pope, creative commons license<\/p><\/div>\n Zilker Botanical Garden<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Located on 26 hilly acres in the heart of Austin, this is another shady retreat, with a lovely waterlily pond out front. Its Japanese garden has a small pavilion and a meandering stream stocked with koi that runs under a classically arched wooden bridge.<\/p>\n We walked the Woodland Faerie Trail, where organizations and families have constructed tiny scenes in which fairies might live. Those that used natural materials were the most charming. Minimal gift shop with excellent air conditioning! The facility includes many specialty and seasonal gardens, including a vigorously blooming rose garden. Alluring, but in full sun, no.<\/p>\n Umlauf Sculpture Garden<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n photo: Lanie, creative commons license<\/p><\/div>\n Charles Umlauf (1911-1994) was a widely-collected American sculptor, born in Michigan, and a long-time art professor at the Austin campus of the University of Texas. He donated his home, studio, and the surrounding lands to the city of Austin, along with some 168 sculptures. The grounds are now an outdoor sculpture garden displaying mostly his works, and an indoor pavilion houses temporary or more weather-susceptible exhibitions. Many of his bronze and stone sculptures on display here have classical or biblical themes, and he went for stylized facial features. Although his artistic style is not my favorite, it\u2019s a pleasure to see his work in such a beautiful setting.<\/p>\n Books to toss in your suitcase<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Paper Ghosts<\/em><\/a> \u2013 by Julia Heaberlin, a young woman\u2019s Texas road trip with a possible serial killer in her passenger seat<\/p>\n Fonda San Miguel: Forty Years of Food and Art<\/em> \u2013 we ate at this beautiful restaurant. You can drool over the cookbook while you\u2019re there, and recreate awesome Mexican food on your return home<\/p>\n Texas Two-Step \u2013 <\/em>new crime novel by Michael Pool. Two Colorado stoners plan to sell their last marijuana crop in rural east Texas and become embroiled in bigger problems, with a Texas Ranger and Austin police detective on their tails.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Not counting an early morning trip to my cousin\u2019s impressive community garden in Austin, Texas, where we picked tomatoes, tomatoes, and more tomatoes, as well as peppers, onions, and eggplant, most of our touristy activities in the capital of the … Continue reading ![\"Zilker](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vweisfeld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Zilker-Park.jpg?resize=302%2C330\")
![\"Umlauf](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vweisfeld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Umlauf-Sculpture-Garden.jpg?resize=250%2C331\")