Summer with the Mackey's

Jamie and recently returned from yet another great trip to Austin to visit our good friends the Mackey’s. As always, we had a great time.

Man, it was hot and humid! Thankfully the pool was always refreshing (at about 90 degrees). We had a day or two below 100 degrees. One of those days we spent at Schlitterbahn. Jamie was so happy that she finally got to go (she got cheated last year when Joe and I took the boys to 6 flags). I had a good time, although I much prefer coasters to water rides.

Jamie also treated us again to 4 hours on Lake Travis. That was nice of her! I think I only rode the tube once, which was plenty. I was definitely sore the next day. It was a great day on the lake. Luke tried water skiing and Ian tried wake boarding. Jamie did great on the wake board.

4th of July festivities started Friday night, July 3rd, on Lake Travis. Carlos and Charlie’s always do a very nice fireworks show that night. We hung out by the water with some food and friends; can’t beat that. We decided to leave a little early because we heard the fire marshall coming to yell at us for the bonfire (which we didn’t start). The actual 4th began with a late lunch at Iron Cactus. Later that evening we lit some fireworks with the boys before settling in to the hot tub. We didn’t do too much since we had a 14 hour drive looming over us for the next day.

The summary is much the same as last year, go figure:

• Hill Country Galleria: very cool outdoor mall
• Paciugo: great place for gelato ( there's one in the Galleria )
• County Line BBQ: Still the best BBQ I've had in Austin
• Iron Cactus: Great mexican food in the Galleria
• Lakeway Marina: great deals on boat rentals on Lake Travis
• Schlitterbahn in New Braufels: Top rated water park about 45 minutes from Austin