By Linda Oatman High
My friend Michael and I live for music, so when we decided that it would be awesome to visit Austin, we had no idea just how amazing the trip would turn out to be.
Upon flying on a Tuesday afternoon from Philadelphia to the Austin airport, we knew we were in the right place the moment we saw the baggage claim area, adorned with brilliantly-painted large-scale guitars.
In the parking garage, we met with Keenan, owner of Swyfly car rentals. At just 24, Keenan is at the wheel of a popular luxury auto rental business that is reliable and affordable. We rented a Volkswagen Tiguan, which was immaculate and drove so smoothly we hardly knew that we were navigating the highways of Texas.
Our first place of accommodations took our breath away. The Lake Austin Spa Resort, located about 30 minutes outside of the bustling city, is a haven of rest, relaxation, nature, and gourmet foods. Renee, who seemed to be a Director of Happiness and Goodwill, welcomed us warmly and gave us the grand tour. Our luggage was magically transported to Room 38, a quiet and lovely villa overlooking the lake. We saw 7 deer on the lawn that night, and Michael played his guitar on the moonlit dock as an aquatic creature breathed below and a duck quacked on shore.
The Lake Austin Spa Resort is all-inclusive, and our first meal did not disappoint. Michael enjoyed a perfect steak and I devoured red snapper fish.
We discovered that the indoor heated pool was empty at night, and we were the only ones swimming at midnight, complete with his and hers lanes. It was a magical experience to hear birds still chirping in the trees gently blowing in the breeze.
Arising early the next day, we went on a 3-mile nature hike with a guide named Lonnie, trekking through the beauty of a glorious Texas woods.
Pedal bikes were also on our agenda for Wednesday, with a wonderful ride across the lake. We kept using the word “amazing,” but there’s no other word in the English language to describe the peace, relaxation, and wonder of the experience.
We participated in an evening meditative Yoga class with instructor Stuart, and Michael strummed his guitar as Stuart played the sound bowls. By the end of that night, we were becoming known around the resort as “The Writer and the Musician.”
We were at Lake Austin Spa and Resort for two nights, and we did not want to leave. Riding the pedal bikes once again, we gazed at the magical scenery and enjoyed the wind in our hair.
We drove to Austin after checking out on Thursday, but a huge rainstorm changed our plans to tour the city. We went for a drink at the Lazarus Brewery, and then headed about an hour and a half north to our next place of lodging: Carter Creek Winery Resort, stopping at the nearby El Guava restaurant for scrumptious Mexican food.
Carter Creek did not disappoint. It’s a very different vibe from Lake Austin Spa and Resort, with sweet villas and panoramic views. We loved our villa #1404, which was a short walk from the pool and hot tub. We arrived late, so the bar was officially closed, however a kind and cordial bartender named Marshall served us beer and wine.
I had a fantastic spa massage on Friday morning, while Michael met a large group of women by the pool who’d traveled on a girls’ getaway. We all became fast friends, and it felt like a big family reunion.
Our Friday lunch at the resort’s restaurant, the Old 290 Brewery, was delicious. Michael had a burger, which we decreed the best hamburger we’d ever eaten, and I had a mind-blowingly good pork belly sandwich and the renowned mac-n-cheese. We relished a wine tasting with our meal, and it was difficult to choose our favorite.
Everybody kept telling us that we needed to visit nearby Fredericksburg, and so we did. A charming German-heritage town, Fredericksburg is a place to stroll and enjoy the many shops and bars. We had drinks at the Elephant Saloon, and then we happened upon the Velvet Lounge, a karaoke venue with a line waiting outside.
Michael performed 3 songs at the Lounge (1 of which was his own original) and we could not get over the friendliness, Southern hospitality, and support of everybody we encountered. Meandering the sidewalks at midnight, we kept meeting people who wanted to stop and chat. It was magical.
Saturday was for Austin, and we headed there in the morning. About an hour and 20 minutes into the drive, Michael realized that he’d forgotten his guitar at the resort. He wanted to jam in Austin, and so we decided to make a stop at Rock N Roll Rentals to either rent or purchase a guitar. He found a sweet little Fender that will be perfect for lots of travel destinations.
Upon parking in the city (it actually wasn’t as difficult as we’d imagined it might be), we walked to a bar called El Cockfight, which includes rooftop seating. The friendly bartender Stacey served up a frozen-drink flight, which was so refreshing and wonderful, and Michael savored a local beer. We enjoyed watching musician Matt Creaton on the roof, and their music provided the perfect ambiance.
With Michael’s new small-size Fender acoustic (perfect for travel), we walked 6th street and soaked up the atmosphere. The Wild About Music shop was incredible, and seeing the state Capitol was an experience we’ll never forget. Again, people were outgoing and friendly, and a small group of Brazilian travelers took pictures and videos of us.
We’d worked up an appetite from all the walking, and a place called Cooper’s was our late-night stop. Pork skewers and Cole slaw provided a meal I’ll never forget.
Driving back to the resort, we once again couldn’t stop using the word “amazing.” It was our last night in Texas, and we savored it at the hot tub until late with our new friends.
It was difficult to leave Carter Creek, and Lake Austin Spa and Resort, and Austin, and Fredericksburg. We cherished every moment, and our trip to Texas is a journey we’ll never forget. www.lakeaustin.com, www.cartercreek.com.
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