Log 4: 3-6-25

Our fourth week of Flying Squads started out with a plan! The squad had agreed, the week prior; to fly to the old Austin favorite, Peter Pan Mini Golf. We headed across the Colorado River via a pedestrian bridge, and enjoyed some incredible views. SXSW was being set up and this week, we had to walk a longer distance around to get to Barton Springs Rd. March winds were in full force, and it felt like the perfect spring day for exploring. The Squad walked and skated toward Peter Pan. Once at our destination, golf balls and clubs were dispersed and we began to make our way around the course. Our ventures wouldn’t be complete without dollar dares, so this week we offered a dollar to anyone who could make a hole-in-one! the instigators ended up PAYING UP! We were much better at it that challenge than we expected. As lunch approached, we decided to walk to Whataburger, and along our trek, we passed some phenomenal street art commemorating Mabel Hampton. Mabel Hampton was a dancer and lesbian activist during the Harlem Renaissance, as well as a major contributor to the Lesbian Herstory Archives. Her quote, “I would like all my people to be free in this country and all over the world,” was painted on the mural. After a brief break at Whataburger, we stopped for milkshakes and a quick skate sesh at Sandy’s, then made our way to the park. Along the way, we spotted signage that specifically banned skateboards, and had a discussion about the history and reasons behind discrimination of skateboarding as an activity, or transportation. We never see signs banning bikes. The flyers spent some time on the swings and we eventually made our way down to the larger playground area. We snacked and discussed thought-provoking topics as they arose, then the flyers made their way up a large climbing structure, while the instigators sat back to enjoy the weather and conversation. The rest of our time was spent like this, in leisure, and it seemed just as important as exploring the streets. You could feel the freedom our youth embodied. Our young people are really beginning to take up space and be at ease in their city. We’ll be skipping a week for spring break but look forward to getting the crew back together the week after. We wonder where our next adventure will take us - keep following along and if you’re a teen in Austin, come join us!