Our Park

This is the view of the nearest park to us from our balcony. Before the isolation we have been undergoing we walked to and through this park all the time. It has been refurbished and is quite nice with paths, sculpture and heritage live oak trees. However, lately, we only see it from our place because there tend to be people there and at the nearby bus stop in unpredictable quantities.  The street nearby is closed on Saturdays to allow a Farmer's Market. We haven't been going there either. Maybe soon as we see how the infection affects our city. Many things are opening up.

Today is theme day for City Daily Photo. Click here to see what other blogs from around the world did to show a park in their city.

Hot air, indeed! Lots of it!

 We were walking to dinner and got a photo of this hot air balloon inflated and showing its pretty colors. Spectacular.

Singing the praises

This gospel band had the crowd up and rocking the other day at the Austin Birthday Party.

International Fare

The food trailers in Austin aren't all BBQ and tacos. This one offered Venezuelan treats.

Ride 'em sea horses!

These kids were having fun riding sea horses at the Austin birthday party. Their parents were on hand to make sure they stayed safe on these creatures.

Cute pop-up iconic items

This lady was vending a lot of cute toys at the Austin birthday party the other day.

Let's send a card!

These ladies were signing the Austin birthday card in the park a few weeks ago.

Happy birthday to us!

Our city has some history -- and this day was its birthday! Some fun things were happening in the park.

Austin Bike Zoo

These amazing contraptions are part of the "Austin Bike Zoo." It requires a lot of people to pedal it. Here you see it in a resting state at the Honk Texas Band Fest in Republic Park last weekend. A lady was taking a photo of them, like I was.

Music Festival

No, SXSW ended the weekend before this last one. But last weekend HonkTX Community Band Fest took place around town. They had a small parade culminating in performances at Republic Park on Sunday. These bands have crazy instruments and costumes, but they do swing. I believe these guys were from Massachusetts. Yes, here they are. The local Minor Mishap Marching Band was the host for all this madness, I think, and the Austin Bike Zoo showed up, too. Minor Mishaps have been featured on this blog and the Bike Zoo, too.

What Passes for Winter

There was a bit of ice and a bit of snow. It is a week day and downtown looks a little deserted. Apologies for not stepping outside the apartment for a better picture. Our heater is very efficient and doesn't have to run constantly to keep it at 70 degrees. But opening the door to the low twenties temps doesn't help matters. It is supposed to get above freezing later today. Hopefully it will because I'm sure Austin's supply of sand for flyovers and overpasses is quickly running out! If predictions are correct it may get warmer before the next front but I don't know if it will be tank tops and flip flops again soon.

Yogasm

Friend Jackie took this picture of yoga enthusiasts in Republic Park last Thursday, I believe. The event was called Yogasm and she says this pose is 'downward dog.' There is a small, white dog in the lower left, amused perhaps at the hairless apes on all fours.

There Was a Lady Who Lost Her Shoe

I was in a hurry to get to an appointment today so I was cutting across the diagonal walk through Republic Park. As I hurried along, I saw this strange sight of a perfectly good shoe just sitting in the grass by itself. Even though I was in a rush, I felt compelled to whip out the trusty iPhone and take a shot. I really wonder what the story is behind this shoe.

Leading the Fashion Parade

I couldn't resist posting another shot from the dog fair we observed in our nearby park last weekend. Linda got this shot of a lady and her dog all decked out in their finery.