by Austin Girl http://www.austingirlblog.blogspot.com Just flew in from Santa Cruz, CA. I saw Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" and "All's Well That Ends Well" in the redwood forest. Does anyone understand the latter play? It wasn't the playwright's typical tragedy or comedy. OMG! When the sun goes down, temperatures descend faster than Angelina Jolie can adopt another baby. Holy crap it was cold! There are raccoons in the redwood forest. Bunches! And, the lil critters never miss a rehearsal -- this is what I was told. They would sit in the outdoor chairs during the day watching the actors [View Full Entry]

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by Austin Girl http://www.austingirlblog.blogspot.com I like to write. I like to write about fantasy and I like to create characters. But, it occurred to me, several years ago while tumbling down a mud-spattered trail in the Juneau, Alaskan rainforest, perhaps I should keep a journal about the interesting folks I meet along my life’s journey. Why not? Some of these people are more fascinating than I could ever make up in my head. And, then, this got me thinking, why make up a fantasy place when I can write about the places I’ve been to - like the Alaskan rainforest. A [View Full Entry]

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by Austin Girl http://www.austingirlblog.blogspot.com In the quaint village of Castelnaudary, France there are polite, charming people who don't speak English. This is an important travel tip for those visiting who haven't mastered the French-At-A-Glance Phrase Book and Dictionary for Travelers on the long-ass flight over there. Our hapless adventure begins with Austin Girl, the non-speaking-French blonde Baptist traveler who visited the south of France for a few weeks while writing her screenplay. Armed with only the knowledge of two words: 'Bonjour' and 'Merci' -- she quickly surmised [View Full Entry]

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by Austin Girl http://www.austingirlblog.blogspot.com In Castelnaudary, France, there are no Starbucks - only bars. I visited one such bar appropriately named: ‘The Caffe’ Bar.” It serves beer, whiskey and wine. Locals drink the “stop-your-heart” espresso shots in the morning and either beer or Pastis, at night. Pastis is a favorite among the French. The French must have a warped fetish for licorice. Watered down, I could not stomach Pastis. Drunk, I could not stomach Pastis. The preferred way to drink this liqueur is watered down -- my preferred way is NOT [View Full Entry]

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by Austin Girl http://www.austingirlblog.blogspot.com On a recent sun-splashed Saturday, I decided to escape the searing heat and go exploring in my SUV. I soon found myself meandering down an asphalt road in Fredericksburg, Texas, where, to my wonderment, I stumbled upon the nostalgic and romantic Hangar Hotel. Situated behind the Fredericksburg, Texas Rodeo Fairgrounds—the oldest in the state—just two miles south of Main Street off of Highway 16, the Hangar had me believing I had descended back in time. As I maneuvered my vehicle into the parking lot, I noticed both Avgas and [View Full Entry]

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