Springtime in Austin

I cruised into Austin on Sunday in a light rain, just about sundown, bound for the innkeeping conference. That first night I stayed at a friend's house whose gorgeous gardens and landscape make me sigh with envy. (Did I mention she's retired? Someday my "grounds" will look as good as hers....) We had dinner at one of my favorite Austin restaurants, East Side Cafe. Over the course of the next three days and nights I got to sample a couple more of my old favorite haunts, plus a new one, in the company of old friends.

But most of my time was spent at the annual innkeeping conference sponsored by the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII). I didn't meet a single other person there from Kansas, so I hope I represented our fair state well!

Let's see, I learned how to make a perfect omelet in 60 seconds from a very entertaining demonstrator, and I tried out the technique yesterday at the TRI on a guest. That's the omelet assembly line at left--we had to make our own lunches! I got some great ideas and resources for using more local and regional foods at the inn. (Notice how I go right to the "food news"?) I spent most of a day with other officers of state associations, sharing, comparing, and planning. I learned some tips about blogging and took in some food for thought about customer service. The four-day conference was a great experience that will be helpful to me as an innkeeper and as the new president of our state association.

As I packed up my car to leave Austin on a perfect spring afternoon, I had one last mission. Just as I'd hoped, the hotel concierge confirmed to me that Amy's Ice Cream was still in its old location, a shopping center just next door. (You knew this story would end with good food, didn't you?) Alas, they didn't have my favorite flavor on hand that day, the very elusive hazelnut ice cream. I settled for an order of half Kaluha and half dark chocolate. Nirvana. I sailed up I-35 just ahead of rush hour traffic, listening to KGSR on the radio. Can't wait to go back and do it all again!