Austin, Texas II

Nestled in the heart of Texas is the city where “weird” grows. Austin, known for its colorful murals, its love affair with food trucks, and its dedication to just having fun, has an international reputation for being weird, wacky, and eccentric. “Keep Austin Weird,” a slogan inspired by Red Wassenich in 2000, was adopted by the Austin Independent Busi¬ness Alliance, and it stuck. In Austin, weird is the expected. The city of “weird” is also known as the “live music capital of the world.” With more than 200 music venues and buskers along many of its streets, music is engraved in the city’s hill country-soul vibe. Austin is the music home for the internationally recognized South by Southwest and Austin City Lim¬its music festivals. And beyond the larger venues, there are historically celebrated more-intimate venues. But Austin is more than weird or a live music destination. Ranked as one of the fittest cities in the nation, Austin has over 300 days of sunshine a year and is a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast. The outdoors is celebrated with a kite festival, a hike and bike trail that meanders around both sides of Lady Bird Lake, and a bridge strictly dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists. And when sum¬mertime temperatures become unbearable, residents head to a 900-foot-long, spring-fed pool, waterfalls, or an emerald-green grotto. Through photographer Rob Greebon’s alluring images, you will see how Austin truly captures the heart of Texas.