On a hot, sunny morning on the Fourth of July, we decided to take a trip to Austin, Texas. It’s about an hour and 48 minutes from San Antonio, a straight shot on I-35 south. As usual, we have an overnight bag ready to go somewhere in Texas.

We stopped for lunch at Baby Acapulco’s. They have the famous purple margaritas, and you’ll feel excellent. By the way, 2 is the limit. They have a pretty good salsa atmosphere that is chill. As we were eating Mexican dishes, we were looking to see what we would do and what type of events we’re going on, since it was Independence Day.

As usual, we decided to go driving around. We saw a lot of people in swimsuits and parked alongside a river by Lady Bird Park on the side of downtown, also known as the Colorado River. As we’re driving, we decide that we’re going to go find a parking change into our water, swimwear, and follow everybody down to the lake. As we’re going down the sidewalk on the trail, we end up under a bridge and straight into the water. Mind you, it’s a little deep we walk in, and it’s to your chest, so we’re kind of just hanging out, checking out the scenery in the water, so I’m like, well I can’t go any further. I’m too short. Let’s go buy some noodles, so we leave and go to the Dollar General, and we buy some noodles so we can float the water also retrieve some cold drinks and snacks we go back to the lake, drinking and hanging on noodles listening to music.

I noticed lots of people were walking in with a kayak, so I told my husband what was going on. Everybody was coming in instead of getting out; it was getting late in the afternoon, so we asked this family what was going on. What time did the lake close? They said Well, they really don’t close. There’s not a curfew because it’s the Fourth of July, so they’re going to have fireworks around 10. We look at each other and start laughing and say ok, let’s go So my husband says Google Academy. Guess what? There was from our there was Academy location about 12 minutes from to purchase an inflatable kayak for two people. We’re not even looking at the prices. We’re just excited because we found a kayak. It was only $230, so he purchased it.

So, I tell my husband I’ll drive so he can read up on kayaking. I had rented Jeep renegade that weekend we get to the lake where we park there was no more parking, but I noticed a small area where I could squeeze the Jeep into mind you it was 4 x 4, so I jumped the curb in 4 x 4 crossed some dirt and rocks over to the parking half the sidewalk, under the bridge We unload the kayak unwrap and start to inflating it with the pump that came with it putting the rows together, getting our little backpack ready for our adventure.

• swimming attire
• back up clothes / overnight bag
• drinks
• snacks
• Ziplock bag or water pouch for phone
• flashlight

Well, neither one of us has kayaked before, so this is something we’re going to learn together. We carry it down to the lake, and we get situated, hopping and starting downstream the lake towards the bridge where the fireworks are going to be. Everybody’s in their kayak jam now, snacking, having the grand old time, and we’re laughing. The current is pretty cool. It’s taking us down to the second break where everybody started stopping the sunset is setting the sun that’s amazing off the river reflection.

A few minutes later, you hear a boom and see pretty colors shooting off from a distance. Looks like they’re coming off a building. All the spectators in the water have cameras out taking photos and footage of people drinking, smoking, laughing, conversing, and yelling happy Fourth of July. The last about 30 minutes was a pretty sight to see.

My husband says Sorry, princess, it’s time to go back upstream. We waited for everybody to pass cause there were hundreds of people in kayaks; it was like a water traffic jam. They were just checking out the kayakers. I can tell you that if you don’t row at the same time and your ors are facing a certain way, you will end up going in circles or backwards, which we did a lot.

Finally, we got the hang of it. I stopped and let my husband do all the work. HA! we make it back to shore late wet exit out as of swimming out of your kayak, load up, and head back to San Antonio.

Definitely woke up the next day sore. Kayaking is a workout, especially the upper body, but I definitely can’t wait to do it again. Great memories, beautiful scenery, good company, new traditions.