Spring Arrives Several Weeks Early

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AUSTIN — I spotted bluebonnets for the first time on March 1. It was along the Lady Bird Lake Trail, walking as a cool northern breeze swept away the mugginess of previous days. That means spring has arrived, no matter what the calendar indicates. It felt so freeing to be outside, after a few days of meetings, that I walked even longer than usual, pounding the crunchy trail for two hours. The bluebonnets were on the side of a hill that separates the trail from Cesar Chavez Street. As every fifth walker or so did, I stopped and took a cell phone photo. I have no idea why, other than to mark the advent of spring — three weeks early but here nonetheless.

I have been here for five days, conducting interviews, covering our local chamber’s visit with legislators and state agencies, attending a board meeting. I’m outside every chance I get, especially now that a dry cold front has ratcheted down both the humidity and temperature.

I love this city — but only as a visitor. After three stints living here, the last five years ago, I doubt I’ll ever live here again. But never say never, I suppose. But the cost of living and dreadful traffic are serious roadblocks to us ever returning as residents.

Winter was a mere blip this year — in East Texas but especially here. A KUT story said the average winter temperature set a record high this year. Sure, spring officially is still a couple weeks away, but no one is worried about a blue norther coming through. I’m just praying this does not bode a brutal summer. But for now, let us enjoy spring, a lovely season in East Texas, where our azaleas are already blooming and pine pollen is looming.

There is no better time to be in Austin than spring. Dry air, lovely breezes, flowers blooming and grackles cawing. OK, they do that all the time, but they seemed especially buoyant on my spring walk. I don’t really like grackles, but I have learned to tolerate their presence, especially in spring. Just don’t leave your plate unattended while eating outside.

Speaking of eating, my extended stay here meant making the rounds of some of my favorite restaurants: Güeros, True Food, P. Terry’s, Monument Café in Georgetown (a first and new fave), Titaya’s (same) and G’Raj Mahal. Mexican, Indian, American and Thai. This is why I walked two hours today, vainly trying to offset my plunge into River City’s cuisine. My return to the gym is likely to be painful, since beside walking the most exercise I have gotten is bending my elbow, hand extended toward my mouth.

I spent a half-day hanging around inside the state Capitol, and the previous two days walking its perimeter since it was close to the first hotel in which I lodged. The Legislature is in session, so the place is hopping all the time. I walked up a couple mornings before the sun rose, and watched as intent young women and men headed toward its entrances, checking their phones as they passed statues of the state’s chosen luminaries. Later on the last day of that gig, I was underground trying to find a meeting room where our local state rep was going to hold forth. I heard my name called by a fellow who used to run a now-defunct newspaper association I once served as president. Now he’s a lobbyist. We visited a while. Small world.

By the sixth day here, living out of a suitcase, I was itching to leave. I was ready to head back to the Pine Curtain, where the pace is slower, the traffic not as burdensome, and where my peeps, pups and kitties hopefully were missing me. Austin remains a fine place to visit. But for me, it’s best taken in small doses.

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