ANOTHER SIGHT
- RPA
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
In spite of the flashing, purple sky, we set out for a swim Sunday night. But in blew a hail storm smashing windshields in car lots all across the Greater Austin area. Alas, in the dome of our city, barely a raindrop. I knew they would shut down the pool. I was bummed because I knew my son needed the water. Every kid does. That’s where he de-stresses, unplugs from the Matrix, and just plays. So, we decided to go see the new fitness station by the lake, close to the Zach Theatre. My son hit the bars, holding his breath as he was inching chins over the top like a high school kid in P.E. In the distance, I could see aggravated little bolts flash in the storm.
But I wanted to see more.
We walked over to the Lamar Bridge for a new view. We could hear a DJ in the distance, playing drums along with an Afro-Cuban playlist. Vanessa looked up and saw the green light of a drone whizzing by, like fishing-pole-casts above us going from spot to scenic spot. Yeah—there are cameras everywhere now—watching us. (Later, I found out there were two paddleboarders missing on Lady Bird Lake that night and a search was underway.)
The purple clouds looked like bashed pillows flashing with white light. We watched them for as long as we could until we received the iPhone alert about incoming baseball-sized hail. The DJ ended the set and my wife Venmo’d a tip. My son walked over to him and helped him break down his drum kit. A dark train slowly crossed over the bridge.
That whole time I was trying to figure out how to get to the rooftop patio with the see-through elevator. If I couldn’t give my son Barton Springs water to glide through, maybe I could give him a big money view. We jaywalked across the street and were greeted by a sweet doorwoman and took the ride up, the only ride I could find—a father always on the hunt for sights for the family. I caught my boy smiling in the reflection of the glass on the way up.
We made it to Barton Springs the next night. Flo was still there, but on her last leg.
“Tortoises can tell you more about the road than hares.”---Khalil Gibran
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