Meet Shannon Bland
Prior to self-proclaiming herself a Texan, Shannon Bland spent her childhood in various places thanks to her parents’ service in the United States Air Force. Eventually settling in San Antonio, the city she now says raised her, she developed an affinity for the strong mindset of Texans and never looked back. After earning a BA in Communications from Texas Tech University, she moved to Austin with the intention of attending UT Law, but quickly realized the city had too much to offer to commit so much time to reading. It was then she began a career in PR and met her husband, Collin. They now have two little boys and a Labrador named Penny.
Shannon’s Favorite Reasons to Visit
Food, food, food, and drink. “Austin is a hip and trendy hideout in the middle of the old-school, traditional state of Texas. A mix of those two things creates a vibrant and sophisticated culinary scene. There’s taco trucks and award-winning BBQ spots on almost every corner, but also plenty of iconic premier establishments, one that is a favorite of former President George W. Bush.”
The outdoors and the weather. “Austin is privy to some of the best weather in the country and is home to some of the coolest places to enjoy it—from a Sunday spent on the Barton Creek Greenbelt, a short drive to Hamilton Pool, a trip with the pup to Zilker Park, stand-up paddle boarding on Town Lake, plenty of hiking trails, and quick access to boating and water sports on Lake Austin. There’s nothing better than an early summer day outside in Central Texas.”
The weirdness. “Though the city is ever-changing, the locals know there’s still plenty of gems that showcase the roots of Austin and stay true to the ‘Keep Austin Weird’ vibes. Oddly enough, the slogan was created over 20 years ago in order to promote support for small businesses around town as big tech and luxury moved into the city more and more each year (a challenge the city still navigates today). I think that’s why I love the purpose of The Scout Guide, specifically here in Austin—I look forward to finding those true to Austin businesses and helping elevate them.”