Merry Christmas from Austin

December 23, 2024

We went downtown last Wednesday for a holiday show by Texas troubadour Robert Earl Keen. Since we were in the neighborhood, we strolled down 2nd Street to view Kempelen’s Owls, a pair of owl sculptures by the Butterfly Bridge at Central Library.

I adore these moveable owls, but I was sorry to see that their amber eyes and modular perches were not lit up, as they once were.

Somebody, go change those light bulbs!

We admired the Jenga Tower’s unsettling architecture…

…and took in the view of Shoal Creek flowing under the Butterfly Bridge.

After the show, we drove over to Zilker Park to take a spin under the Zilker Holiday Tree, an annual tradition.

Stand under the strands of colored lights fanning out from the top of a Moonlight Tower, 155 feet up. Take the hands of your loved one, look up, and spin!

I dare you not to laugh, but try not to fall down! Merry Christmas from Austin, y’all!

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Digging Deeper

Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Read all about the Season 8 lineup here!

All material © 2024 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

One response to “Merry Christmas from Austin”

  1. Kris P says:

    Austin has such wonderful displays of public art!

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