Tuesday, May 18, 2010

GET OUT: Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) ATX

Hawaiian traditions have found their way to Austin thanks to SUP ATX. Stand up paddle boarding is like surfing on calm, cool waters with a paddle to help steer you along. And if you're from El Paso, being around water is always a welcomed treat.  (In fact, El Paso is considering its own paddling trail along the Rio Grande river.)

To help spread the word and wonders of stand up paddle boarding, SUP ATX is currently giving free lessons five days a week for those who might want to try it out for the first time. A list of FREE meetups on Lady Bird Lake, Lake Travis, and Lake Austin can be found here.

It's definitely a great workout for your core and legs as you are constantly engaging your center to stay balanced. Your arms get a great workout as you paddle up and downstream for as long as you can. Here we see some Austinites taking advantage of this awesome experience.

Number one rule: Don't worry about falling in.
A special thanks to Anna C. Wilwayco for introducing us to this!

If you can't swim (and even if you swim really well), they give you life-saver fanny packs in case you tumble over.

It's relatively easy, so people of all ages can enjoy!



The following photos were taken from SUP-ATX on Facebook . Join the 10,000+ fans who "Like" this page!

Lady Bird Lake




Lake Travis


Lake Austin





Here is a story done by CBS-KEYE in Austin. Notice the newscaster at the beginning is El Paso's very own Michelle Valles.



Thursday, May 6, 2010

Shout Out

On top of Doug Sahm Hill, across from Auditorium Shores, a Texas map notes how far El Paso is from Austin.

You might be in Texas

If you see someone with a cowboy hat driving around downtown with bumper stickers like this...

Well then you might be in Texas.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Eeyore's Birthday



Every last Saturday in April (for the past 47 years) Austinites get together to celebrate the birthday of Eeyore...yes from the Winnie the Pooh series of stories.  According to the story, Eeyore was upset and gloomy because he thought Pooh and friends had forgotten his birthday but was pleasantly surprised by his friends with a birthday party.  How in the world this became an Austin tradition is beyond my El Pasoan knowledge.  You can see some of the history here.  It is subculture at its best.

Among Eeyore's famous words are "Thanks for noticing me..."  He would have been amazed with what he saw this weekend.  Here is how Austin celebrated Eeyore's Birthday, 4/24/2010:

First you must cross this path...

All are encouraged to dress up in costume...

Free hugs!

Turkey Legs!

This guy is dressed as...
This guy...from a wall here in Austin. 

Statue of Liberty Eeyore and Random Drum Circle

Random Lady blowing bubbles for children
Body paint

A May Pole for the Kiddos


Jugglers and Man Painted in Silver...

Lucha Libre Drummer and People on a Hill

Guy with Two Parrots...why? Just because...

It was Eeyore's bday