Blogs from Austin, Texas, United States, North America
May 3rd 2012
We got up tired and hung over and went to the greyhound station for our bus to Austin! I'd forgotten how gross the greyhound stations were. ALOT of poor/bum looking people everywhere! The bus to Austin was easy and once we got in Meghan's boyfriend -Alex's brother Chris picked us up and also graciously let us sleep on his couches for the two nights!Chris had band practice so we went straight there (with no make up on, feeling gross from the greyhound and wearing ugly clothes). He plays in an African band at this awesome place called Sahara Lounge. The owner was a crazy American woman who was married to the leader of the African band and also played bass for them (she learnt bass at 48). She gave us free beers and the wifi password ... read more
May 3rd 2012
When we woke up Chris took us to IHOP (international house of pancakes) for breki! Then we went to Barton springs which is a natural pool in Austin. Unfortunately it was closed for cleaning so we had to go to the rocky pool next to it that said 'no swimming' and 'keep dogs on leashes' where everyone was swimming and dogs were running around everywhere! It was all rocky and mossy and hard to get to the water but still pretty, and refreshing against the Texas heat! I also saw a turtle swimming around which was cool!We then met Chris' friend Forest and his puppy Akira for lunch and ordered $2 Margharita's! Things are definitely cheaper in Austin! That night we went ten pin bowling with Chris, his room mate Nathan and Forest. I nearly one ... read more
April 2nd 2012
Music, it binds even the closest of friends together in an unbridled passion. You experience the joy of sound and looking over at your friend, you grab their hand and together you bask in the waves. South By South West, or simply known to the townfolk, trend-setters, hipsters, nerds, music lovers and music makers alike as "South By" is an annual devotion of a Texas city to sound and rhythm. Some people swarm to Austin to be part of the 'new', the 'fresh', the 'unheard', or the next big act or piece of technology. Lexi and I ended up there to see some long time friends and experience the festival and the city before their big move to San Francisco. When else would i be prepared to go to Texas out of pleasure I thought to ... read more
Texas - last stop before Arizona!
Published: January 11th 2012North America » United States » Texas » Austin
January 10th 2012
Once we left Louisiana, we headed straight to Texas, anxious to be on the road and back to Arizona is good time. We had visited Texas before, so felt there wasn't much need to be tourists again. But the weather started to change, with snow in the forecast (OMG!), so we stopped in Austin for a day. We visited the Capitol Building - another amazing piece of architecture, made out of local red granite. A beautiful building. Spent the next night in a rest area, waiting out the snow. Fort Stockton had about 6 inches (gee, that happened last time we were here), but the sun was shining the next morning, so put on 550 miles in one day! Now we are only one day away from Surprise, Arizona - our winter home! And we ended ... read more
December 27th 2011
Leslie here: Now that Mom and Dad have braved the interstates, downpours and major traffic jams, they seem to be settling in nicely to their new Austin surroundings. I actually think they're having a lot of fun with the whole adventure. It's certainly not everyone who would pick up everything, pack it in a minivan and drive a couple of thousand miles to start a new life where they've never had one before. So I commend them for that. Like Dad told Debby the other day, "Sometimes you just need to start a new adventure." In your mid-70s. Across the country. Wow. So here they are and it's been fun having them around. Everyday we've been browsing neighborhoods and showing off our frequent haunts. When I asked Mom if she was going to continue to "blurb" ... read more
December 23rd 2011
Hi all,Today's weather was beautiful. We all went out to breakfast this morning for Leslie's birthday. We came back home and just took it easy, relaxing on the deck. Then Les and I went to the super market to pick up a few things. What a great place!! Lots of people were out shopping today, getting ready for Christmas. It doesn't feel like Christmas to me - it's not cold, there's no snow (I'm not complaining though!) Then we decided to go out for dinner to a great pizza place called the Brick Oven. Delicious pizza and great wine.. When we got back after dinner, we had some birthday cake ... read more
December 22nd 2011
Today is Thursday, Dec. 22 (Leslie's birthday) but I'll try to recall yesterday's events. It's all becoming a blur. We left Saraland, Alabama and started on our way to the Lone Star State. Entered Mississippi with a shutter and left it with a big sigh of relief and to beautiful Louisiana. Texas wasn't too far away. It was a good ride and then we came upon Houston at rush hour along with the holiday exodus - the city of wall to wall traffic on I-10. In my entire life I've never seen traffic like this. I grew up in the New York City area. I lived in the Boston area - through the Big Dig. I've never - I say NEVER - saw traffic like they have in Houston. OMG, OMG, UNBELIEVEABLE - and it stretched ... read more
December 22nd 2011
I had arrived, finally to the Promised Land. Alternatives as far as the eye can see. I was in... Austin, Texas… I have always thought of myself as a casual alternative. You know an individual that is different but not one that tries to stand out as the usual “Alternative”. I’m more your laid back alternative, A casual alternative. Austin is the live music venue of America and it was here I planned to see as many alternatives as possible. How could I go wrong when we are talking about musicians playing live around people who like music. It was around this point that during channel changes the Christian radio promo said “Y2Kfm – Positive alternative!” I was like ‘Geez even the Christians are getting in on the alternative act.’ I found it interesting how alternative ... read more
November 17th 2011
Because of some family business my plans changed somewhat. I had intended to visit Austin and then bounce around the hill country a bit but I ended up going to Austin and visiting my nephew for the evening, staying overnight, and then this morning driving back to Bryan. On the way to Austin I stopped in Bastrop at Discount Tires and had the two rear tires rebalanced and put to the front, and got two new tires for the rear. They were some LT 265/75R 16 M&S and pretty pricey at $209 each for a total of $418. Still I needed them so that was that. Now I can put that task behind me and move on. I left Bastrop on Hwy 71 heading into Austin and did OK on traffic till I turned north ... read more
