Min - please explain what you love about Austin, and what there is to do there. All i know is that it's the state capital, so very conservative, yet there's a huge artist community. oh, and they have bats. We're planning on taking another trip in the fall and mentioned Austin and NOLA since they were both within driving distance. (We haven't ruled out Dallas, but are planning a trip there based on hockey schedules so we can catch a Pens/Stars or Flyers/Stars game)