Long-term planning

A friend of mine is getting married in Dallas in April. Being a photography/baseball/softball nut, I%26#39;m opting to make a longer trip out of this and start in Austin, where I%26#39;ll actually likely be spending much of the trip.

My plan is to fly in Tuesday, April 24 and catch a Express baseball game (unless their tentative schedule for %26#39;07 changes), spend Wednesday doing whatever, Thursday catch a Texas softball doubleheader and then leave early Friday to work my way up into Dallas.

Being I%26#39;ll have some free time in Austin, I%26#39;m slowly starting to build my game plan (I%26#39;m one of those planning types and like to have stuff figured out far in advance, then amend when needed as the time gets closer), so I%26#39;m trying to find the ';must things'; to do, see and place to eat. I%26#39;ll be getting a rental car, so will be able to get around. My main objextives are things I%26#39;d want to photograph.

Thanks in advance for any help and I%26#39;m sure I%26#39;ll be watching this forum closer as the time gets closer!

Long-term planning

Austin Overtures, a local tour company, http://www.austinovertures.com

has a CD of the memorable sites their tour covers as it leaves the downtown Visitor%26#39;s Center and then 90 minutes later returns. These sights includes downtown Austin, out Bee Caves Road then Capitol of Texas Highway, over the Pennybacker bridge and then returning back by Mt. Bonnell. It is approx $5.99 and would be a great way to begin to narrow down what you want to actually pursue photographing. I don%26#39;t know if they sell them on line but you might try.

I definitely recommend you contact the Visitor%26#39;s Center at www.austintexas.org and request a free visitor%26#39;s packet. This will include some great information and a necessary map of the city.

Long-term planning

This is often a great time of year to take photographs of the Texas Hill Country and the wildflowers that are present at the time. Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrushes. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a great place to go.

www.wildflower.org

University of Texas has a great baseball team also and has won more trips to the College World Series than any other school. This year they played Arlington and Baylor and San Antonio in April.

Austin and surrounding areas can be a photographers dream due to our proximity to San Antonio, Hill Country, and historic Austin areas.

Good luck

HI softBall 29

howdy and welcome to Tejas :)

you didn%26#39;t specify where or what kind of photography is your interest ....but,, here is where I%26#39;ve taken visitors who were shutterbugs with good results all in or close to Austin :

1) Umlauf Sculpture Gardens %26amp; Zilker Botanical Gardens downtown south shore next to the Barton Springs Pool -

1A) along with visiting Zilker Park and the Auditorium Shores Park - please check out the view of downtown from the AShores -

that is where Stevie Ray Vaughans%26#39; statue is at the edge of Town Lake where the avenue of Oaks leads to ....

2) Barton Springs Pool

3) Mt. Bonnell north of the River , St Edwards hilltop south for view of the Austin Cityscape in the %26#39; bowl %26#39; .... day or nighttime !

4) Hamilton Pool - Reimer Ranch

5) UT Campus

6) State Capitol Grounds

7) French Legation

8) Lost Maples State Park ( a 70 miles outta town to the west to the hill country run - also Johnson City and the Johnson Ranch )

9) Lake Travis- the OASIS bar to sit on the deck ... sunsets !

10) Carver LIbrary ( incredible Mural )

~ to experience and photograph parts and some local music culture , the Broken Spoke is a must see, and to dance !

11) Hole in the Wall

12) Ginnys Little Longhorn

12) Horshoe Lounge

13) Saxon Pub

14) Continental Club and the South Congress strip- known locally as the SOCO drag .....

There are many other spectacular runs to drive to- like Enchanted Rock ,we have legendary %26#39; joints %26#39; like the Broken Spoke - special cultural treasures places, I see that most of these places I%26#39;ve pointed you towards are outdoors as that time of year is pretty fine .

On your way north up i35 to Dallas, don%26#39;t miss stopping in WEST, TEXAS at the Kolache Shop at the Shell Station _ its a MUST .

have a good visit ....I%26#39;m sure someone will jump on here shortly and clue you into the BarBQue run that includes Smittys in Lockhart, and my favorite close in to Austin, the Salt Lick .

have FUN:) and let us know whatcha find and whatcha like when you get done please ?