Nomad Newbie!

 I arrived at the Ananda Dallas Sangha House--actually in Richardson, TX, a suburb of Dallas-- anticipating a really great time meeting Dallas devotees and celebrating Easter with them. I was NOT disappointed! I was given a MOST warm and wonderful welcome by Maitri, the lead minister there, and graced with a very lovely room and comfy bed. I had access to the kitchen, so could make my meals, and enjoy the wonderful peace and shakti of the house. When Easter weekend came, I was overjoyed to be included in a small quartet of singers! SO great to be singing Swami Kriyananda's inspired music once more... It was great getting to know some very lovely people, enjoy a very beautiful Easter service, followed by a wonderful potluck meal. Oh, and a visit to an ice cream place afterwards! (And yes, of course there was vegan ice cream to be had there....the wonderful place was called "Tongue In Cheek"-- how fabulously creative is that?!) In addition to Ananda activities, I spent time...

 YES...scary, but TRUE!!! I went out on a post-dinner hike on my last night in the campground...promptly became disoriented and "lost". I thought I had turned back toward the campground but hadn't, and noticed that the scenery was completely unfamiliar, but then it mostly all looked the same anyhow! It was growing darker and darker and I began to panic. I wound up calling 9-1-1! It was quite embarrassing... I was given to a VERY kind fireman who was able to ping my cell phone. As such, he could see exactly where I was in the park (my GPS was essentially worthless--didn't indicate the trails at all) and was able to guide me back to the road leading to my campsite. Even as he directed me back-- I had indeed been heading the wrong way-- I was still confused about the direction. MOST troubling, to be sure! But the fellow was kind--and extremely patient-- and stayed on the phone with me for the full 15 minutes it took to get me back to the main road. From there, I knew how...

Just 20 minutes south of Mueller--not too far from the Austin airport-- is the lovely McKinney Falls State Park. Here, I happily camped for the next 4 days, enjoy the peace and beauty of nature. My neighbors were quiet and respectful. I got in some great hikes and was thrilled by the abundance of wildflowers. I didn't swim in the river though, as intended...the day I had the most time was unfortunately overcast and too cool. No matter. The falls were lovely and it was an amazing stay! The photos speak for themselves.  My lovely--and fairly secluded--campsite A nice sunrise through the trees...the twitter of multitudes of birds greeted me daily! I was amazed by this cactus leaf that made a perfect heart! A gorgeous sunset... pretty skies abounded in general!  Someone was being cute...cacti are pretty hardy, so the human "art" didn't seem to harm it, thankfully!  Ruins of an old homestead  

My last eve in Austin proper: I went to the "White Horse" country music bar and enjoyed live music as well as hobnobbing with real "cowboys!" (Ha, not really, but it certainly had that vibe, and many dressed the part just for fun!) I met many nice people, enjoyed watching couples dance the two step, and left after a couple hours when it got too crowded. But what FUN this town is; so full of really friendly Texans!!! Jan's comment: Littl' Annie Oakley! Ahh...yes... wearing a cowgirl hat comes naturally to me! This one was borrowed for the photo...HAVE to find one of my own, yessirreee!!!!       This adorable couple were the first folks I met after arriving at the White Horse... they were most happy to pose for me...just LOVED the matching leopard skin attire.  Yeeehaa! A VERY expensive draft beer, the "Electric Jellyfish" was fruity, strange, not to my liking... at $10 for the pint glass, I was loathe to not drain the glass, but I was quite tipsy af...

On one of my days in Austin, I rode the E-bike downtown to the historic center of Austin see the sights there. It was a fabulous experience, as Austin is home to some beautiful landmarks.  I shall include a brief blurb about each as you peruse the pics below:  The Texas State Capitol is the  capitol  and  seat of government  of the  U.S. state  of  Texas . Located in  downtown   Austin, Texas , the structure houses the offices and chambers of the  Texas Legislature  and of the  Governor of Texas . Designed in 1881 by architect  Elijah E. Myers , it was constructed from 1882 to 1888 under the direction of civil engineer  Reuben Lindsay Walker . A $75 million underground extension was completed in 1993. The building was added to the  National Register of Historic Places  in 1970 and recognized as a  National Historic Landmark  in 1986. The Texas State Capitol is 302.64 feet tall, ...