Walking Austin, Texas, Part 1 -- Sat., Feb. 16

This morning we drove to Austin 1-1/2 hours away for our two 10K walks. Jim and Peri were going to go with us but their RV refrigerator was not working and they had a repairman scheduled to work on it. Next weekend they plan to do a Johnson City Art Volksmarch with us.

Our first 10K (6.2 mi.) walk was sponsored by the Colorado River Walkers Volkssport Club. A sponsored (or traditional) walk means club volunteers mark the route, staff a registration/start table, cashier table, checkpoints along the way and a finisher's table, plus the club provides snacks for the walkers. This walk wove around southwest Austin in the Western Oaks neighborhood. In addition to residential streets, we walked on trails and in parks.

The first 2K of our walk followed this wide dirt path around the outside of a shopping center.

Bob on the trail.

Spring is just around the corner. New blooms are popping out.

Over 100 volksmarchers did this walk today; some walked 5K, some 10K.

Murals on the pool building.

Another mural on the pool building.

More blossoms.

Roller hockey in the park on the basketball court.

One of the old oaks in the neighborhood.

We completed this walk in one hour 50 minutes and our tummies told us it was time for lunch. Cheddar's was nearby. Bob had never been to one so we went there. We found what we think was the best deal on the menu...$5.99 for a veggie plate. Here's what's included: soup or house salad, warm buttered croissants, and four sides. We had chicken tortilla soup, plus four sides each. My sides were steamed carrots, seasoned rice, mashed potatoes and coleslaw. Bob's sides were broccoli, red beans and rice, stuffed baked potato and coleslaw. Both of us were pretty full when we finished eating.

Because we saw so much on our second walk of the day, I will do a Part 2 post for that one.

To be continued...