Just a quick report! Got into Austin Thursday night. On Friday drove up to Pedernales Falls and did some hiking and rock climbing. It was a perfect day and the falls are absolutely beautiful - very peaceful walking on the flat rock. Afterwards, went to Marble falls to the (famous?) Bluebonnet Cafe for a truly Texas meal of Chicken-fried steak and veggies (couldn't find room for their massive pie)... drove around abit more in the hill country - had a great photo op w/ some Longhorns feeding in a field along the way. On Saturday, avoided the UT Football crowd and went to Shoal creek, collected some fossils along the creek bed, and almost got killed by an errant frisbee (just a flesh wound - nothing major). Also stopped by Mount Bonnel (sp?) - Nice view of the river and downtown skyline! LOTS of new housing to ruin the once pristine view of the hills...seems to be an Austin trend the past few years. Afterwards, did some hiking around McKinney Falls State Park - another great spot!
Just one question. What's with the mammoth-size lawn animals for sale? Those are pretty frightening!!!
Thanks to all who responded with suggestions of things to do!

ttt for those that gave me some suggestions.

Hey zelphicat, it sounds like you had a very nice weekend, I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. I'm also glad you weren't beheaded by the errant Frisbee!!

I don't know about the mammoth-sized lawn animals, where did you see those?

Hi PM! All along the highway (around Johnson City?)there were these shops with bronze/metal sculptures (lawn ornaments) of larger-than-life bears, longhorns, horses, armadillos, deer, you name it - I guess there is a great demand for this sort of thing...? Very funny.

zelphia, good friends of ours recently moved to Austin, and one of their neighbors has one of those huge longhorns in their front yard. I had never seen anything like that!

I have seen pink flamingos in yards but not anything like you're describing. Johnson City does have some antiquey type stores, though -- okay, call them junky type stores - with yard art of all types.

You've gotta remember our motto: Keep Austin Weird!

Glad you had a nice visit. Wasn't the weather just perfect! Today it's mid-80s. Not bad for fall!

I've seen the pink flamingos too, those are pretty hard to miss--try as I may. I'll keep an eye out for the bronze animals next time I drive out to the Hill Country.