We are back from our adventure on the other side of Austin and the annual company dinner for Hubby's job. We had dinner at a place called the Oasis. The food was okay. Not really up to the standards of past company dinners, but good by the Oasis standard if that makes any sense. One doesn't really go to the Oasis for the food, but for the view. It is a series of terraces built into the cliff on the edge of Lake Travis in the Hill Country. The main event is the sunset. Even though the dinner was inside in the dining area, most of us gravitated to the outside to watch the sun go down. Dinner didn't start until the sun set.
Here was the view from our room at the Four Seasons. The lake is Lady Bird Lake. It used to be called Town Lake, but after Lady Bird Johnson died, it was renamed. I always forget and call it Town Lake.
There is a hike and bike trail around the lake. It is a popular place anytime of the week, but weekends, it is especially busy. Not only serious runners and bikers, but families out for a weekend outing and occasionally lovers looking for a bit of solitude.The picture below, is a shot of the outside restaurant, where we had breakfast. Sitting outside just lured me further ,to investigate all the flowers and plantings.
The Hibiscus below were bigger than my hand, and the honeybees were busy collecting pollen.
The petunias in front of the cactus in the shot below, were riddled with holes from the naughty little squirrels digging in the mulch, burying acorns, and pulling up plants. Just beyond the petunias and cactus, was a bed of mint. As I walked, I caught a whiff of mint on the breeze.
There were several hammocks situated around the grounds, just beckoning. If only I had more time and a good book to take advantage. I tried to get a shot of three children in one of the hammocks. But sadly, they rolled out before I could get my camera turned on. 
We were so rested and relaxed from our trip away, without going away, that we canceled all our plans for the rest of the day and just took it easy. We get so caught up in all the things that have to get done, and the plans for what we want to get done, that we just don't take the time to relax. This was a golden opportunity to change gears. We felt like we were a million miles away from home and I told DH that we got away and didn't have to worry about missing flights or lost luggage. It was a perfectly lovely time.
19 comments:
It sounds perfect.....apart from the food but who needs to eat when so much beauty is out there...
The sunset was stunning....I always find them so romantic.....
I can see why you feel rested, a precious moment in time.....
How lucky you are! Austin and San Antonio are two of my favorite places in all the world to visit; and both are within driving distance! I hope you snipped off some branches of the hibiscus to root! It was lovely!
Sounds like a wonderful holiday. Hard to come back sometimes, isn't it? Your pics are spectacular! That sunset awesome.
I agree with nola - you should have taken a cutting of the hibiscus!
Nola, you know it is crazy, but it has been years since we have been to San Antonio! We live so close, and we just don't take the time to go. I love the Riverwalk and the atmosphere there. Do you go there often?
Wendy,
It was so nice to get away and change gears. If it had been the usual cross-country dinner I doubt it would have been as restful. I've always enjoyed those trips, but would come back feeling a little jet-lagged and stressed.
Thank you for the compliments on my pictures. If I do say so myself, I think I can see an improvement in them. No, I didn't get any cuttings from the Hibiscus. I was afraid someone would jump out of the bushes and arrest me! ;-)
Sometimes you don't have to travel far to feel as though you have taken a "vacation." Glad you had such a wonderful time. I can see why no one cares if the food is that great--the sunset views are spectacular!
The sunset is lovely. That would make up for mediocre food;)
Perfect getaway if you come back relaxed and rested
Marnie
I love the last picture of the Pride of Barbados. They are some of my favorite plants here on island. Lovely holiday.
Beautiful photos, looks like a great get a way!
Thanks for stopping by, Mimi! Pride of Barbados is such a showy plant and does very well here in central Texas.
Hi IGW! Thanks for the nice comment. It was a nice little getaway.
Cheryl--sunsets are my favorite time of day, so I truly enjoyed it. It was a precious respite.
Rose--I think what was so appealing was feeling like I was a million miles away almost in my own backyard.
Marnie--It was the perfect getaway. The only thing that would have made it better was if the food had been as spectacular as the sunset!
What a beautiful place surrounded by lush vegetation, water, wildlife, endless skies.... just gorgeous. I would love to have breakfast with my husband outside that romantic restaurant.... :)
Blessings to you and yours, sweet friend.
cielo
i could definitely lay out on the hammock with a cup of coffee and a book...or just to nap.
so pretty! thanks for sharing
Skoots, the one regret I had of the day was that I couldn't settle back in one of the hammocks and read and doze the afternoon away!
That sounds wonderful! Worth putting up with a company dinner for!
Liz, it was probably the most enjoyable "company do" I have ever been to--and the food was lousy! Guess it had to do with not getting all tied up in knots over the whirlwind air travel. I get weird about leaving home.
I love Austin. When I visited for the Garden Bloggers Spring Fling, I was in heaven for a few days. The sunset was lovely. Thanks for taking us along.~~Dee
Dee, Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you enjoyed our trip down to south Austin.
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