The Colorado River runs through Austin’s vibrant downtown. Flanked by parks, bike and hiking trails and entertainment venues, the river also widens and slows, prompting the name Lady Bird Lake after LBJ’s First Lady.
Striking view at dusk
Groupon led us to Lone Star Riverboat cruises, offering a chance to enjoy a sunset cruise and beautiful views of the remarkable and interesting architecture of Austin’s skyline. Lone Star has both a double deck “paddle wheeler” style boat. Sher and I and our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter chose to ride the open air pontoon boat for our sunset cruise.
Center building is either an owl or a nose hair clipper: locals laugh about it
Curved building is the new Google Headquarters, far right is one that looks like a thumb drive
We thoroughly enjoyed our slow paced tour up and down the waters. Our Captain of the craft gave a most interesting running commentary of the sights seen from the vantage point of the water. One interesting anecdote concerned the heights of the buildings. Formerly no Austin building could be taller than the State Capitol. However, one rich Texan donated a building that would be taller. Money talked, and the impressive skyline continues to grow in height.
Our cruise was slightly over and hour, and was reasonably priced with special kid’s rates and a nice Senior discount as well.
Roadtirement 
Beautiful!!!!
Also, I thought Google HQ is right here in Mountain View, CA. Been there because my cousins wanted me to take them there when they came to visit me.
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Don’t know for sure, just that the narrator commented on the new google building. A quick (LOL) google search says they are building the new 35 story building in Austin with plans to employ 5000 eventually. Guess the Texas thing is an expansion. Sorry for the mis-write.
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Beautiful.
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Great views, I see the owl and nose hair clipper, funny!
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Our narrator said that the locals had a ball during and after it was built. Everybody on the boat laughed when she told the story.
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What a hoot! 😂🤪
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😂😂😁
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I did the same cruise when I was there a couple weeks ago. It was a little earlier in the season so we also got to see the bats.
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Bet that was fun from the river. We saw the bats fly out back in 2019 from the bridge.
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bellissime immagini 👍😉👏
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grazie mille, apprezziamo la tua visita e il bel commento 😀
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Some beautiful pictures. And a river cruise too!
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We had a real nice time. Temps were perfect too. Thanks!
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Money always talks lol These are nice photos!
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Money, the root of , well, a bunch of stuff!! Somehow seem appropriate for oil rich Texas…
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It’s a nose hair clipper and I can prove it. My husband has one just like it.
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Really a bizarre design at least we thought so! Thanks for sharing. 😃
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So gorgeous!
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Thank you very much!
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Beautiful pictures
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Thanks! We appreciate your visit and comment!
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Splendid photographs
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Thank you Derrick! We appreciate you sharing with us.
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Thank you very much, Maj and Cher
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nose hair clipper 👀
oh yesss I can see it 😂
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Gotta wonder what the architect was smoking when they drew this design. Thanks for the visit and comment.
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But visitors will always remember it 😁
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I love the architecture! Nose hair clippers! hehe – only in Texas (where everything is bigger)!!
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So true about everything big in Texas. From what our boat Captain said the locals had a good time poking fun at this building design. Easy to see why. Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
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Pingback: Austin’s Lady Bird Lake at night – MobsterTiger
Thanks!
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Very cool pictures!
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Thanks so much!
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You are welcome!
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Woah. That view is beautiful
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It was better in real life then the picture!
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Viewed across water at night, most cities become magical, don’t they? 😀
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That is so true! Thanks for sharing. 😀
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Pingback: Austin’s Lady Bird Lake at night – YOUTUBE COLLABORATION
Thank you for the re-blog
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I love taking those river biat cruises. They have one in Chicago I’d like to take.
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Bet that would be really neat, seeing the skyline after dark from the lake. Sounds like our kind of activity.
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Beautiful night views. Spent quite a few times down town, and at the capitol building, but pretty sure the nose hair clipper building and the thumb drive were not there on my last trip. 🙂
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They are still building like crazy downtown on the river. There are cranes all over, building high rises like there is no tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
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How extraordinary! I lived in Austin many decades ago. I would not recognize the city if I returned! GREAT post and photos!
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We’re positive you wouldn’t recognize Austin now. Thanks for the visit and the nice comment.
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Reblogged this on Roadtirement and commented:
We really enjoyed this family outing on Lady Bird Lake. Read on to see and learn about the “different” buildings in downtown Austin.
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