Austin, TX - Part 1

When Carlos and I arrived in Austin (only one day after I got back from the field!) it was super-hot! Texas was in the midst of a record-breaking heat wave and every single day we were there had a high over 100F. Even when there was wind, it was hot (it felt like a hairdryer!).

We spent most of the time in artificial air-conditioned coolness (either in our hotel or at the conference center). We were very lucky to get an affordable hotel rate (which was also paid for by grants -- even better!) and we stayed in room 2626 (on the 26th floor) on the executive level of the Hilton Austin. Oooo lala. That meant that each morning we could eat a nice breakfast in the executive lounge and every afternoon we also had snacks there (vegetables and dip, cheese and crackers, milk, coffee, water, soda, etc.). It was a nice little perk!

On our first night, after checking in, getting settled, and partaking in snacks, Carlos and I wandered downtown to eat at Frank -- a cool hot dog restaurant. I tried the mini hot dog trio and Carlos had some kind of specialty dog. We also tried poutine (melted cheese and gravy over waffle fries) -- it was good and sooo healthy. All of the dogs were very tasty (we ended up eating here again later in the trip because we liked it so much) and you can't go wrong with a restaurant that has dachshunds all over the walls!