Austin, Phish, Hugging Pavement…

Had a great trip to Austin! I’ve been there a long time ago for work and didn’t really get to see much of the city. I really enjoyed it even though the city felt like a Finnish sauna at times 🙂

Short flight and checked into Carpenter Hotel. Cute hotel…

One of the good things about the hotel was that it had a great coffee shop downstairs! My day doesn’t take off without having a coffee first! Met this cute dog there too…

I have a couple that I’ve known for a long time that moved there about 4 months ago. Nothing better than knowing locals who already tried out spots and then just guide you around to the best places. We went around on those electric scooters and I love how much water and greenery there is in town…

Being in Texas meant that there were a lot of cowboy boot stores. We stopped at Allens Boots that has been around almost 50 years. Obviously had to get a pair and roll like a local 🙂

I’ll show you the pair I got shortly 🙂 It’s always a plus when the place you visit has an abundance of great coffee places. One of the places is Maaribu Cafe + Gift. Great coffee, cute little gift shop inside and we enjoyed our coffees in their quiet backyard…

You can’t go to Texas without having BBQ. Terry Black’s Barbecue hit the spot! Delicious meats! Ate like an elephant! I just assume they eat more than a horse…

A quick stop at the hotel to grab my bikini and we went to Barton Springs Pool. The water comes from Barton Springs and it’s super refreshing in the heat. Packed with people though…

There was this tree in the park outside and someone said it’s called the Monkey Tree and people do acid under it. Hmm, might have to check if that’s true next time 🙂

Had to try the hotel pool too to cool down after getting back. Wish I could’ve spent more time there because it was very relaxing later on the day when there was not that many people there.

I think I looked pretty damn cool in my bikini matching it with my new boots!

A quick shower and then it was time for the main event of the trip – the Phish concert! Made a pit stop at the Cosmic Bar on the way.

We were right by the concert riding our electric scooters when my hat is blowing off. Don’t think go to grab it with one hand. Get off balance, wobble and crash right in to the pavement! Felt like it went in slow motion and though I must be bleeding all over my face, Was bleeding by my right eye and thought the scar from the eye surgery had ripped open. My friends checked me and no bigger damages than some scratches. Lesson learned, both hands on the handlebar 🙂

No time to waste, so cleaned up in the bathroom, popped some mushrooms and Phish started! They went off and it was magical! People were ecstatic and it was intense at times. So good though!!! My friend has been to over 100 of their concerts. I saw them in Vegas like 6 years ago on psychedelics, and it was awesome then too!

I finally got to get a ride in a Waymo when heading back to the hotel! Very cool! But why waste space on a drivers seat when they’re self driving???

Got a burger and a chocolate milkshake from P. Terry’s right outside the hotel too 🙂 Got a bit hungry 🙂

At 1.30am Hunter’s sitter calls and says Hunter has had a little accident. Immediately thinking he’s been run over by a car. Yup, I can be a bit dramatic at times… Turns out he had jumped on the kitchen counter and got one of the fly traps stuck on his fur. Running around in panic so it got stuck more. Luckily the sitter is very cool and was able to clean him up good and all was good! But went on Amazon and order fur cleaning products to be delivered the next day just in case… A bit intense when coming off the mushrooms, but was finally able to sleep hahhaaa…

A bit bruised up the next morning from my attempt to hug the pavement…

After a coffee at the hotel, the next stop was Merit Coffee. Sooo goood!

Then Brown’s Bar-B-que for lunch. It was a food truck and didn’t disappoint!

Cross the street was this cool looking gift shop so had to check it out. The coolest thing in there was the store cat 🙂

There can never be too much caffeine, so also tried Proud Mary Coffee. Merit was the best coffee spot that I tried if I had to rate them!

A little stop on the way to check out a trail. Realized after 11 minutes it was way too hot to attempt even a lazy stroll…

I had to keep eating and TexMex food is another undoubtedly great option here. Veracruz had an incredible Mezcalita and probably the best chicken quesadillas I ever had!

My friends have a little toddler so we checked out some ducks and turtles in the next door park. It’s fascinating how many parks they have in town!

Something that hit me while visiting was that people are very friendly everywhere. You can walk, scooter and bike, (and some hardcore folks were even running in the middle of the day) everywhere. They really seem to make an effort in decorating and making places nice with cool designs. The Uber driver that took me to the airport said that they even support street art/graffiti if it’s nicely done. I’m pretty sure I will go back to Austin 🙂 I mean, I got my cool ass boots now!

Got home and Hunter had survived his fly trap trauma. Now lying next to me like the good semi-little boy that he is 🙂

Plan to start yoga next week. Can also start lifting weights now after the eye surgery. Not sure my shoulder will be in shape for that though. Seeing Tony next week too so really hope he can fix it because then he goes on a 1 month long vacation 🙁 Other than that I will be shooting, got friends coming into town, Angel is back in town, and 4th of July is coming up… You got plans?

Oh, I got so into the BBQ that I want to get a smoker. Anyone here a big BBQ’er that can give any tips on one?

Wishing you a superb upcoming week and Happy 4th!!!

XXX Puma

Travel time…

Finally got on a plane, and my summer travel begins! Puerto Rico is hotter than a Finnish sauna in the summer, so I prefer to travel then. Because flights are not operating at normal schedules now, I had a 24h layover in Dallas, Texas. I made the most of it, and started with BBQ in the Deep Ellum neighborhood for breakfast. WOW, Pecan Lodge had impressive food!

I obviously needed coffee afterwards! Merit Coffee – 5 stars. Even though I was too full from the BBQ, I still stuffed myself with a dessert.

Strolled the neighborhood and loved the street art. My favorite was obviously this Clint Eastwood piece because he’s just too cool!

Went to Uptown too for more coffee at Magnolias Sous Le Pont. Also 5 stars!

Then had to take a break and chilled at the rooftop of the hotel with some wine and a perfect view.

Obviously had to have some Tex Mex food while in Texas. Like I hadn’t consumed enough food already, but this desert wanted to get in my belly!

Stayed at Canvas Hotel which was a cool and funky place!

I really liked Dallas. On my next trip to Texas I’d love to do a roadtrip in an RV and explore more.

Next day it was off to Utah. Visiting a friend that grew up here. I love the nature and fresh air.

First thing I did was find a nail salon and got my claws in order. What a luxury to finally get some color and glitter on again hahahaaa…

Other friends came from Arizona too, so there’s been a lot of catching up and hiking.

All this fresh mountain air is making me tired. Tomorrow I’m signing up for a gym and going to start lifting again. My ass has gotten too lazy in the quarantine… On Tuesday I’m going to an intro class of Krav Maga. Ready to take my self defense practice to the next level 🙂

Hugs, Puma