Thanks so much, MagdalenaLee! Pity about the biker weekend, but I used to play the harp in a biker bar (don't ask), so I'm kind of used to all that.

I did know about Uber and Lyft, but since I don't have a smartphone (we're on the Edge network or equivalent for all carriers where I live, so no point), that's okay.

Austin Flea and the Wildflower Center sound like great choices, and thanks for the list of restaurants.

My gosh Magdaleana, you covered everything! I have to agree re:the Salt Lick, it's just not what it's built up to be. The original is in Dripping Springs, about 1/2 mile from where my daughter and family live, but we never go there. We love Rudy's, and always go to to the one off 183~it's an *experience* and is always the first place we take anyone who comes to visit for their first dinner. Don't say if you're renting a car, but if so, may want to take a drive to Round Rock, an easy drive from Austin. RR Bakery was featured on the food network as one of the 10 best bakeries for donuts. They'll give you a free HOT fresh donut if you tell them you're a first timer. There is also a great antique mall off the IH 35, about a mile from the bakery~in case you get over there, I'm a vendor, aisle C, with all the blue 'stuff' and pink walls. lol I hope you enjoy your little 'taste' of Austin and y'all will want to come back to this friendly city. In case you can't tell, I absolutely love Austin! Hope you will too. ;)

Writersblock, I was hoping your email was in your profile as I was going to suggest a meet up on one of your available days. Just thought it would be fun to meet another forum member. Maybe Magdalena would be able to join us. Just a thought. ;)

If you want to see a beautiful site check out Mt. Bonnel.

http://austinparks.org/parks/Mount%20Bonnell/

Why, thanks, Patty. I'd love to meet you and Magdalena, but I don't know yet what family things I may be committed to during the day. I hadn't really planned to rent a car, since I'll be at the Doubletree Suites downtown and that seems fairly close to everything and they say they have a shuttle that runs to the 2nd St area and the capitol and so on. I'd love to see your shop, though. Hmm. Have to think about this now. :-)

aktillery, what a gorgeous photo! I had no idea there was anything that high in Austin.

ETA I do have messaging turned on here, Patty. Didn't it show for you?

I know nothing about Austin, but I really wanted to see you dancing with an elephant. Have fun!

I live in Austin, and Barton Springs pool and almost all area lakes are still closed due to the recent flooding.

We are members of the Wildflower Center, and it is absolutely spectacular right now! Hope you can make it out there. They have a small cafe that serves good salads and sandwiches, too.

Too bad Mt. Bonell is so overrun with people now. It's still a good view, but we used to go up there with our kids and not more than 5-10 people would be there.

Freddie's Place is now closed, a chicken place is going in there but don't know if it's open yet. Lenoir and Odd Duck are two of our favorite restaurants. Dolce Neve near Lenoir has great gelato. Downtown, Swift's Attic is good and if you like jazz check out The Elephant Room right there. You should also go inside the State Capitol. It's a beautiful building. South Congress Cafe has a good brunch, and you'd probably enjoy walking around down there. Have fun!

Thanks, texanjana. That's very helpful.

Writersblock, it may be turned on, but I didn't see an email address. Of course you need to spend time with your family, but I wanted to extend an invitation to meet you. Feel free to send me an email. That might make it easier........for me! lol

What did you decide to wear, writersblock?

Hmm, that's odd, patty, since I checked my settings and it says to allow anyone to message me. I'll try contacting you. Thanks!

cattyles, for the Sanjeet I'm wearing a natural gauze skirt with a handkerchief hem and a tank with a sheer poncho over it in shades of blue, purple, and a little bit of ivory.

For the wedding I found a not very becoming ensemble that includes a mint green chiffon skirt with a floaty kind of top in shades of mint and lavender. It has ruffles round the waist, which I don't like, but it's very cool and comfortable.

If you get the chance to just take a drive you must drive from the city up 2222 and enjoy the gorgeous hills. You will not be disappointed. Also there are some beautiful areas around 360 and beyond. No one realizes there are so many beautiful hills in Austin as they stay downtown and have no idea.

I am sure it packed with tourists but still it is a must see and eat... The Oasis restaurant.

Wow, what a spectacular location, aktillery.

patty Vinson, I tried to email or message you, but I don't see anything in your profile either. I guess the system must be messed up. I'll try again tomorrow once I'm there.

Writersblock, my email is pavinson@hotmail.com. Feel.free to email me. ;)

WB, how did it go? I know it was sweltering - I tried to change that for you, but no dice. ;-)

Yes, it surely was hot, and the ceremony was 3-1/2 hours long. We were outside at the Allan House (lovely venue) from 2:30 to 10 pm and they'd just had the oaks trimmed, so no shade at all.

(ETA Although the outfit I wore made me look like a fridge draped in a tarp, it was quite comfortable. My SIL looked really beautiful, like a maharani, in her sari, but she was dying from the heat.)

I felt so sorry for my nephew the groom. He was wearing gold brocade and cinnamon-colored velvet with a velvet turban and scarf, and then they kept draping more stuff on him during the ceremony. His ears just kept getting redder and redder. And then they brought out the fire pit (for Agni). Luckily, since we're Floridians we didn't find it humid, at least.

I got lucky. The horse was an elderly loose-lipped old flea-bitten gray, but as soon as the Indian musicians began he swung his head around with the most comical look of blank amazement I've ever seen on any animal's face. I gather he doesn't do this on a regular basis, since he only had plain old western tack instead of all the pompons and garlands and all.

He looked about ten years younger all tensed up, but the handler decided it would be better if we all stayed in a clump outside of kicking distance, so I was able to melt into the crowd, much to my relief.

I didn't have a lot of free time but I did get to the Historical Museum and the Capitol, and we went to Stubbs for barbecue. I gather that the night of the wedding everyone else stayed downstairs in bar and sent out to Cane's for wings at 3:45 am (to offset the vegetarian reception food), but I'd been asleep for hours by then.

The wedding cakes were funny. The main cake said "Finally!' since he's been asking her to marry him for about five years now. The groom's cake said "Live Long and Prosper."

I'm so sorry I didn't have any time to meet you and Patty.

BTW, henna tattoos set off the explosives trace detector in the TSA scanner, in case anyone ever needs to know that.

Forgot to say, I loved Hyde Park. I could live there.