Batty Cousin Ben

Mike’s cousin Ben was in town for work the week before Memorial Day and then stayed through the weekend with us.  If was fun to show him just a slice of why we like living in Central Texas.  Of course, you can’t fit everything in a couple of days, but we tried to do what we could.

Their first real night in town, we met Ben and his co-worker Matt downtown for dinner (good ole’ Texas BBQ at the Iron Works) and then the bats.  Unfortunately, it was really too early in the season to get a good showing of the bats as they left the bridge well after sunset and it was too dark to see them.  We all got a enough bat guano to make it a true experience though – that’s all that really counts.  We’re hoping to take Abe back in August when the bat population should be at its peak and the “mass exodus” from the bridge will happen while it’s still light enough to see them.  Maybe Ben and Matt will come back and join us!!

One of the best parts of the night was watching some impressive choreographed “dancing” on the side of the Hyatt Hotel.  It was clear this wasn’t random repelling, but we don’t know if it was for a music video or what.  In Austin, it could easily be for a low-budget independent film or a high-profile music artist – you just never know.

Matt ended up leaving town on Thursday so Ben came to hang exclusively with us.  We went to the Oasis one night for dinner and the boys spent Friday at Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool.  (Of course, they didn’t take any pictures and Abe went in his pajamas – boys.)  Ben is always a pleasure to have around and Mike enjoyed being able to get out for some night life for a change.  I’m pretty sure Ben enjoyed Austin too.  When we were trying to decide what to do on Saturday, he replied, “I know what I want to do.  Find a job, a place to live and maybe a nice Texan…”  It’s hard no to love the jewel of Texas.