You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers! Austin Fling kicks off next Thursday, and as you put together your packing list we’re here to answer your frequently asked questions plus offer a few tips you might not have thought to ask about.
Itinerary and Scheduling
What is the first thing to do for the Fling?
We encourage you to come pick up your swag bag and nametag in the hotel lobby (Courtyard Austin Downtown) on Thursday between 3 and 5 pm. The swag bags will contain the itinerary, so you’ll have the daily schedule. Then from 5:15 to 5:30 pm, meet us in the lobby, and at 5:30 pm we’ll walk together to the Welcome Party at Central Library.
What if I arrive too late to get my swag bag?
If you miss the swag-bag pickup at 3-5 pm on Thursday, you can get it after the Welcome Party ends by picking it up from organizer Pam Penick from 8:30-9 pm Thursday evening. Text her to let her know you’d like to pick it up — and please provide your name so she knows who’s texting. Her phone number will be provided in an email sent to all registered attendees later today. Please save that email for your reference.
I’m arriving on Thursday after the Welcome Party begins. Is it OK to come late? Yes! Come anytime between 6 and 8 pm. We’ll be at the Central Public Library in the Special Event Center on the 1st Floor. Parking at the library is limited, so we recommend a ride-share, cab, or pedicab. Info about public transportation is here, under Getting Around Downtown. I won’t arrive until Friday. How do I get my itinerary/nametag/swag bag? And what time do I catch the bus? Check your email later today to see if you’re signed up for Friday’s early bus for the photography workshop (this was a limited-seat sign-up option when you registered) or if you’re on the later bus. The early bus departs at 7:30 am on Friday (boards at 7:20 am). The later bus departs at 8:30 am (boards at 8:20 am). Pam will bring the unclaimed bags/nametags to the lobby from 7 to 8 am, so find her then.
I will be commuting to the hotel. Where and what time do I meet the tour bus? Meet in the hotel lobby at least 15 minutes before the bus departure time. If you don’t see a crowd in the lobby, check outside to see if the buses are loading. If you’re a local and will be driving to the hotel each day, plan for Austin’s traffic and allot plenty of time to get downtown and find parking. The hotel offers parking, but it’s expensive and could perhaps be full. The bus departure times are: Friday: 7:30 am for photo workshop (check your email to see if you’re on the list); 8:30 am for everyone else Saturday: 8:15 am Sunday: 8:15 am Boarding begins 10-15 minutes before departure.
I want to do the photography workshop on Friday. Can I? We’re sending an email with the names of bloggers who signed up for the workshop. If you’re not on it (spots are limited), we’re sorry, but we can’t add you. Don’t worry though — you’ll see the Wildflower Center gardens too. The second bus will just arrive a little later.
When is the group photo? I don’t want to miss it! We’ll be taking our group photo on Friday morning at 9:10 am at the Wildflower Center. The photo workshop ends at 9 am, and the 2nd bus will be arriving around then, so we’ll all meet in the main courtyard of the garden (between the gift shop and the tower) and take our group shot before we explore the gardens.
Social Media
Do we have a hashtag? #gbfling2018. We encourage you to use it for your Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter posts about the Fling.
Do you want my blog links about Austin Fling?
Definitely! Please share your Fling-related blog links on our Facebook group or email them to us at our Fling email address. We will compile all the Austin Fling posts and publish them on our blog after the Fling.
Airport
How far is the airport from our hotel? 10.5 miles. Please read our Getting to Austin post for more info about the airport and getting to the hotel.
How much time should I allow for picking up checked baggage when planning for Super Shuttle pick-up time? We guesstimate it takes about 20 minutes from deplaning to getting your bag. Plan on 30 minutes to be safe.
What to Pack and Wear
What kind of clothes should I bring?
Austin is a very casual city. Bring comfortable shoes for walking and whatever style of clothes you like to visit gardens in. For downtown dining, casual is still the norm, but some restaurants are a little dressier than others (call to find out). Even at these, a blouse and capris/pants/skirt or casual dress will be fine. We do like our air conditioning in the South, so if you get cold with the A/C blowing on you, bring layers. What will the weather be like? Pretty nice, we hope! We’re still a week away, so forecasts are subject to change, but it’s looking like highs in the mid- to low 80s F (29.4 to 26.6 C), with a cool north breeze, and with surprisingly cool nighttime temps in the 50s and 60s F (13.3 to 19.4 C). There are chances of rain every day, so bring an umbrella or lightweight poncho, just in case. We tend to get brief rain showers rather than steady rain that lasts all day, so don’t fret over rain chances. Cloudy skies will yield better light for photos anyway.
How much suitcase space do I need for swag, raffle winnings, or other items?
We recommend bringing an extra collapsible duffle in your suitcase. When you’re packing to go home, you can put some of your clothes in the duffle to make room in your suitcase for the swag or raffle items. (Check in advance if you’re allowed to bring an extra bag on the airplane.) Or, if you have time to find a shipping store, you can box up some items (or your clothes, if they’re lighter) and ship them home.
Will we have a chance to shop for plants? Yes, we’ll be visiting two nurseries. If you like to buy plants when you travel, we suggest you pack a handful of Ziplock bags, newspaper and rubber bands, and plastic garbage bags for wrapping plants and packing them in your carry-on or suitcase. Read this post for more plant-packing tips. What else should I bring? Sunscreen and a hat, for sure. A portable phone charger is smart. Our buses should have regular outlets, so you might want to bring an adapter along. Camera supplies: extra battery, battery charger, plenty of SD memory cards, etc. A roomy camera bag, backpack, or crossbody for carrying your camera, a water bottle, snacks (we’ll have snacks on the bus), and any other essentials. Bug repellent if you’re sensitive to mosquitoes, although we don’t expect this to be an issue for most. We’ve had a couple questions about ticks. They are not as common here as in other parts of the country, and in the manicured gardens we’ll be touring, they are unlikely to be encountered.
Don’t forget your old Fling souvenir buttons, if you’ve attended past Flings and want to show off your collection on your nametag wallet. Also, this is a great opportunity to network with other garden writers, so bring business cards with your contact info, if you like.
Eating and Drinking
What are our breakfast options? There’s a Starbucks located in the hotel, which opens at 6 am every day. Check our restaurant listing for other breakfast options within walking distance of the hotel. Do I need to make any dinner plans on my own? Yes, Friday night is dinner-on-your-own. We return to the hotel at 5:15 pm that day. Check our restaurant listing for dinner options within walking distance of the hotel. Feel free to post on our Facebook group if you’re looking for dining partners; there will be others who don’t have plans, so just ask! Do I need to bring snacks? We’ll have packaged snacks on the buses each day. Will there be toilets on the bus? Yes. There will also be restrooms available at the public gardens and nurseries and, for emergencies, a few of the private gardens.
Are alcoholic beverages being served anywhere? Yes, we’ll have a cash bar at the banquet dinner on Saturday and an open bar at the BBQ Bash on Sunday with two signature tequila cocktails and white wine available.
Photo: Peter17 via Wikimedia Commons
I want to go batty!
How can I see the famous bat colony in downtown Austin? By land, bridge, or water! Austin’s urban bat colony lives in the cracks under the Congress Avenue Bridge. They emerge nightly to hunt for moths and other bugs, but some nights are better than others. If it’s cool or rainy, they may hunker down and emerge late or sporadically. If it’s warm and clear, they may emerge just before sunset in a crowd-pleasing swarm. You can watch them from the west-side sidewalk on Congress Avenue Bridge, or on the Hike and Bike Trail below the bridge, or from a bat-watching cruise on Lady Bird Lake. Find more info here.
What else have I forgotten to ask?
We hope we’ve answered most of your questions already with our earlier post, Everything You Need to Know for Austin Fling. But if not, just email us and ask. We can’t wait to see you all next week!
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