How I did it: I went to the Zilker Botanical Gardens in Austin, Texas. I got there at about 9 AM and the place was bustling with moms and young kids, but it was nice. The little kids all had this sense of awe about them and it made you really stop and take a moment to appreciate that here is this beautiful garden in the middle of a big city.

You don't have to pay anything to get in. I would recommend going early in the morning because by 10 AM it was really warm out.

Lessons & tips: -- If a path looks pretty, explore it. If it doesn't look pretty, leave it alone. I ended up walking down this dirt path that led to a shed that said "WARNING: USED TO HOUSE POISONOUS CHEMICALS." There was suddenly no more people around and it kind of gave me the creeps. I found my way back to the prettier parts of the garden pretty easily though. :)

- Go early in the morning.

- Go when Austin isn't on Stage II water restrictions. :( We're in such a huge drought that the gardens cant fill up their ponds, fountains, or bird baths. I feel like they would have added something special.

Resources: Uh.. nothing really. I just drove my car there, but you can take a bus, too. :)

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Sep 23, 12:45PM PDT | 0 comments | 6 cheers