Enchiladas & Shakesphere in the Park

Well folks, it's official... we're moving to Austin! I figured I could write this long eloquent blog post about the whole process it took to get us to this decision, but I feel like I have been telling everyone the story for the past week and I thought I'd let some pictures tell the story this time. 

So get ready to learn a lot of Austin facts and a lot of cool reasons we are stoked to be moving there!  

Above is the beautiful city of Austin. Not a lot of people realize that there is a lot of water in and around Austin... and that yes, even though it is Texas... Austin in green!

 This is Barton Springs, those blog readers who lived in Chico with me will find this picture above reminiscent of Bidwell Park... which was a favorite spot of mine during the summer months of my college years. Barton Springs is a set of four natural water springs located on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin. The largest spring, Main Barton Spring supplies water to Barton Springs Pool, a popular recreational destination in Austin. The smaller springs are located nearby, two with man-made structures built to contain and direct their flow. The springs are the only known habitat of the Barton Springs Salamander, an endangered species.

 

 Not everybody knows this, but I love the theater and I especially love outdoor theater. I have fond memories of going to Shakespeare in the Park with my mom at a very young age, like around 3 or 4 and loving the story, the costumes, the characters, the sets, even the props... It really made an impression on my little mind and perhaps spurred on my dramatic side. Later in life I remember my mom taking me to plays in Ojai (California) and watching James and the Giant Peach. We would pack a picnic and bring a blanket... I really treasure those memories. 

 Austin is chock full of walking and bike trails, Clint and I much prefer taking a scenic walk than running for 2 hours on a treadmill!

According to the Austin Parks and Rec dept... "The City of Austin has developed one of the finest trail systems in the nation. Currently, over 193 miles of well-surfaced scenic paths follow natural greenbelts into all areas of the city, making an excellent trail accessible to all.  A host of joggers are regulars on the Town Lake Trail because of its visual beauty. Some prefer paths that follow picturesque creeks; others seek the serenity of primitive trails in undeveloped areas. Because sunny skies and mild climate make it possible to jog year-round in Austin, citizens have ample occasion to experience the diverse trail system. 

A huge reason that we picked Austin is for a very grown up reason, and no I'm not talking about that fact that there is an Ikea and a Target! (Although this Maui girl is very much looking forward to those two stores!) The main reason we are leaving paradise is because God has blessed me with a high tech man and Austin is a tech city if I have ever seen one!  

We are both very excited about all the occupational opportunities Clint will have in Austin.

Mmmmm and now onto food glorious food!  

As almost anyone who has ever met Clint and I know... WE LOVE GOOD FOOD! If you were to ask Clint his favorite food he would almost certainly say "BBQ" and I would answer "Mexican" Well guess what two types of food Austin is famous for folks......

 I can almost smell the brisket and enchilada sauce now! 

I could get into all the many other reasons we are moving, like suuuuper affordable cost of living, being on the same land mass as our families, Sonic cheeseburgers, arts and culture, road tripping, live music, Sonic cherry lime aids, travel opportunities, having the financial freedom to give more to missionaries and other charities, saving for the future, etc... but if you know us, that stuff should really go without saying :)

On the other hand we are of course sad to leave our friends that have become family and the wonderful, loving, giving, supportive, god-loving church and community that we have been blessed with for all these years. We know that the bonds we have made here on Maui in our combined 17 years of living on this rock will not be going anywhere though. The Lord has blessed us with soooo soooooo soooo many awesome friends here and we are forever grateful to Him for that. 

We truly have the bestest friends here and all over the globe, and we are grateful that they are so supportive of this next chapter of our lives. 

The Smith Ohana are goin' on an adventure ya'll... and we are stoked to see what the Lord has for us.