Austin paper experiments with Gowalla

The Austin American-Statesman is giving Gowalla a try. Gowalla (like Foursquare) enables people to check in from their locations, and the paper wants people to use the service when they visit notable places. The prizes are simple virtual badges and pins. (It doesn’t hurt that Gowalla is based in Austin.) The American-Statesman is also providing some suggested tours that show places decidedly off the beaten path. Tell us your experiences with Gowalla and Foursquare. We don’t have badges to hand out, but we love the input.