Spring TX to Austin TX 5/12/10

Here it is, ten days from home of which five were with Peg's brother Bob and his dearly beloved, sweet little thing Ellen, at their home in The Woodlands, TX. Great food, much wine and evening cocktails served by Ellen, who's cocktail experience dates back 20 years in the best little bars in Texas. 8>) They have a beautiful home in The Woodlands with pool, hot tub, and nice pond. After teary farewells, we headed west on FM roads (for none Texans that means Farm to Market)towards Austin.



The City Cafe in Elgin TX was our stop for a unique lunch of chicken fried steak burgers with white gravy. The cafe is in interesting 110 year old building which housed everything from barber shops, saloons and restaurants. There is a rumor during prohibition when gentlemen played cards and drank liquor upstairs, a fight broke out which ended up in a killun. They defend it as a rumor though.



We arrived Austin about an hour later and have a nice room in a Residence Inn on 4th street, which is just two blocks from 6th street, the center of the Austin nightlife and country music. We had plenty of time to visit the state capitol building which is a beautiful domed structure made from different stones and marble from Texas quarries. A VIP tour had been arranged for us which took us all through the building, including the senate chambers. Texans are very proud of their tradition and history, from the battle at the Alamo, though Texas independence and then as part of the United States. Statues, paintings and monuments abound of their heroes such as Sam Houston, Stephen Austin, Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and others. The grounds, buildings and surrounding areas make Austin a very pretty city.

That evening we went to visit the Congress Street Bridge to watch the zillions of bats that fly from under the bridge at dusk. This is what Austin people do..... It is another local tradition and the bridge was covered with spectators. Didn't see any bats though, must have taken a night off or the strong breezes blew all their food away.

Thursday morning we headed west through the famous Texas Hill Country first stopping at the LBJ Ranch and National Park near Johnson City.


We could see old LBJ's penchant for white Lincoln Convertibles, there were four of them in the display. The grounds were beautiful with lots of animals, fields and live oak trees.

We had lunch in Fredricktown which is full of art galleries, German restaurants and cowboy stores. On the advice of a ranger at the LBJ National Park site, we were told to head east after lunch and take TX road 1376 south. Remember that road number, it takes you to world famous Luckenbach, Texas. We had a blast here. We turned west off 1376 for 1/4 mile and came on the post office, saloon and a line of privies. A neat little general store with a small bar in the back where local folks pick up a guitar and sing old western songs. Same guitar, different players. Very friendly place, one patron bought me a Lone Star beer when he found out I had just retired.

The guy in the red shirt, cowboy hat and big mustache, after a couple of beers, jumped up saying he had to go now, and beat his wife. Then with a twinkle in his eye, said "home."



We arrived at Tom and Gail Tucker's home in San Antonio just before 5 pm. Tom and I go back almost twenty years ago when I came to Midstate Mills and needed someone to handle the futures for our company. The firm he worked for, and later became principle owner was John P. Stewart Co. We established a good rapport and became fast friends too. Tom and Gail took as out to a very nice bistro for a great meal with great company. We returned to their home for a little more conversation before we said good night and rested for tomorrow's trip to Alpine TX.

At the end of day 10 we have added 2000 miles to the Z, and we still have about 50 days to go.

Remember, you can double click the photos to enlarge them.