Day Eighteen: Austin, Texas
After a long day on the road and several days of tenuous sleep, the Austin comfort was a little too seductive. On the morning of Day 18, we slept lustily and late. When we finally awoke, as if by habit, we proceeded to a scenic overlook.
It was a pretty view, so pretty that it made us hungry. We sought barbeque.
We got us this barbeque at the County Line, an Austin institution. We split a number of sampler platters and (of course) some local beers. The food was excellent, a fact which appears to transcend species as numerous turtles had gathered around the restaurant’s back dock, waiting for scraps.
It was the highest density of turtles we had ever witnessed.
With about an hour to spare before dinner, we drove downtown and tramped around the state capitol building. In true Texas fashion, the building is one foot taller than the U.S. Capitol and it has a replica of the Statue of Liberty on top (or so we're told).
It also contains a multi-level portrait gallery in the main rotunda,
depicting each of the former governors and presidents of Texas. They are careful to mention that second part, lest we forget that the state was once its own nation. We saw the most infamous and recent gov, but there also were some surprises: like Miriam Ferguson, a female governor who presided in the 1920’s and 1930’s.
The history lesson endangered our timeliness, so we raced off to meet Damian and Amanda for dinner at the Hula Hut. We enjoyed the superior company, drinks, and dinner. At the end of it all, we were fat and sassy from the barbeque and Hawaiian goodness. Into Penelope we piled and we rolled back to home base for a little relaxation.
Time passed, food digested, and by 10:30, we were ready to hit the Friday nightlife. In Austin, the action is on Sixth Street, which teems with UTexas students during the academic year, and which boasts about six blocks of continuous bars and clubs, many with live music. It was easily the most happening place we had yet seen on the trip and we surveyed the scene.
Buffalo Billiards lured us in and we played pool until the wee hours.
Another day under our belts, we retired and went to sleep mighty late.
It was a pretty view, so pretty that it made us hungry. We sought barbeque.We got us this barbeque at the County Line, an Austin institution. We split a number of sampler platters and (of course) some local beers. The food was excellent, a fact which appears to transcend species as numerous turtles had gathered around the restaurant’s back dock, waiting for scraps.
It was the highest density of turtles we had ever witnessed.
With about an hour to spare before dinner, we drove downtown and tramped around the state capitol building. In true Texas fashion, the building is one foot taller than the U.S. Capitol and it has a replica of the Statue of Liberty on top (or so we're told).
It also contains a multi-level portrait gallery in the main rotunda,
depicting each of the former governors and presidents of Texas. They are careful to mention that second part, lest we forget that the state was once its own nation. We saw the most infamous and recent gov, but there also were some surprises: like Miriam Ferguson, a female governor who presided in the 1920’s and 1930’s.
The history lesson endangered our timeliness, so we raced off to meet Damian and Amanda for dinner at the Hula Hut. We enjoyed the superior company, drinks, and dinner. At the end of it all, we were fat and sassy from the barbeque and Hawaiian goodness. Into Penelope we piled and we rolled back to home base for a little relaxation.
Time passed, food digested, and by 10:30, we were ready to hit the Friday nightlife. In Austin, the action is on Sixth Street, which teems with UTexas students during the academic year, and which boasts about six blocks of continuous bars and clubs, many with live music. It was easily the most happening place we had yet seen on the trip and we surveyed the scene.
Buffalo Billiards lured us in and we played pool until the wee hours.
Another day under our belts, we retired and went to sleep mighty late.
posted by The Odyssey Gentlemen at 11:45 PM
3 Comments:
I hear Austin is the liberal mecca of Texas-- did you get that vibe?
I'll probably apply to UT for grad school... crazy.
PS where's andy working?!?!
There was definitely a university town feeling to downtown Austin, which I'm sure is even more pronounced when school is in session. It seemed like a fun place to live, and Zach's relatives love it.
It gladdens my heart to see that the "I French Kissed Kelly Kapowski" shirt has been taking this journey with you Ferrett. G-D speed on the last few legs of you trip gentlemen.
~J
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