you know you're in austin when....

I live close to Barton Springs and a favorite activity after a run is to wade into the water to cool down.  The water is about 68 degrees year round since it is spring fed.  It takes your breath away but it feels great on a hot humid morning.
After a run last week, I decided to visit the "springs" for the first time since I had returned to Austin.  It was about 6:30am, it's just starting to get light and there aren't very many people at the pool.  I walked down to a secluded section, take off my running shoes and shirt and start my walk toward the middle of the pool.  I'm gasping for air by the time the water is above my waist.  I lower myself down, go under water and come back up into the heat.  I start the trek out of the pool.  This is the extent of my routine at Barton Springs.
While I'm drying myself off, a big athletic guy approaches me.  Since the water is so cold, early morning swimmers will do laps and they will wear wet suits to keep themselves warm.  He was struggling to get his suit on when I got there and he was still trying to get into it when I was done.  He had decided it wasn't a one man job.  "Hey man - can you help me zip up my wet suit?"
Only in Austin.

independence day....

One of my favorite things about Austin are the neighborhood 4th of July parades.  I don't even know if they have a big parade down Congress Avenue but if they do, I prefer the smaller events. 
I live in the Barton Hills area of Austin and our parade runs along Barton Hills Dr.  Everyone that wants to be in the parade meets at a neighborhood store parking lot and then follows the fire truck to the elementary school.  There is always a grand marshall (elderly resident) that rides in a convertible and waves to the spectators.  The majority of the parade is made up of kids riding bikes that have been decorated in red, white and blue streamers.  There are always a couple of floats (truck pulling a trailer) with kids throwing candy to the crowd.
The route is just down the hill from me.  I take a mug of coffee, walk down the hill, sit on a curb and collect as much candy as I can and watch the parade go by.  I'm already looking forward to next year.