Adventure 86: Pecan Grove RV Park/Austin, TX/Post F

Still smiling after thirty-six years. That's how you do it.

The Ulmen's plane arrived after about six round trips through the Austin airport. The no waiting officers are especially vigilant in the Lone Star State. But all was well, though the plane departed Denver about an hour late. We found the VRBO without a problem, the entry code worked like a charm, and the rack of ribs we bought earlier in the day at Sam's BBQ were heated through by the time Liz an Dave unpacked. After a quick snarf, we headed down town to the Friends bar for the Sunday night blues jam where several locals take turns on the stage playing various blues riffs. It was excellent, especially considering none of them play together or practice together. It's quite amazing to those of us from a musically starved town (Spokane) that even the amateurs are entertainingly excellent. Today, our start was late due to jet lag and four days of  us (frickin' sixty somethings) trying to entertain them (Young thirty somethings) in a town that stays up late. Of course, we revisited the TacoDeli, which was again excellent. There's reason the line trails out the door and around the corner. Leticia's plane didn't leave until five, so we just had to visit the flag ship Whole Foods store. It was a sensory overload explosion of internationally sourced locally produced goods with the accompanying gigantic organic price tag. We dropped TC off at the airport; she was sad to leave, and then we drove back for a late lunch at Elizabeth's, a French flavored Pho restaurant just a little off the tourist row. It was very good, and it was nice to enjoy some broth after this steady diet of Texas beef. Then we rested for the night shift.  For dinner, we enjoyed Dave and Liz's thirty-sixth wedding anniversary with an excellent meal (Our fourth) at the South Congress Cafe. And right now, through the miracle of technology and Ulmen savvy, we're watching a taped delayed version of the Zag game through Dish TV on the internet: Dish anywhere TV as long as there is a WiFi connection. The world has come a long way since party line phones, full service gas stations, and black and white TV. Some of it is amazing. We're a little sad to say good bye to the girls, but our time together here in Austin was special. We're now looking forward to experiencing some new adventures (Maybe not so late) with the Ulmen's. On a tournament note, I took advantage of a fatigued wily cager to open 2-zip lead in he Pecan Grove open. One thing to look forward to is the video I shot of Leticia accepting her prize in Chicken Shit Bingo. It was both hilarious and typically Leticia. Just hope I can develop the technical chops to download the video (To aid in the process, I'm visiting the Apple store tomorrow to get help from some young genius). Regardless, life is good, especially today.

 Our last morning morning all together. We enjoyed our traditional after Church breakfast in the warm Austin sun (A cold from came in later, dropping the temperature thirty degrees). So it goes in paradise.

 Fric and Frac, more than ordinary trailer trash.

 These old guys are just itching to get back on the road. It's a class T-bird coupe, and a first edition fourteen foot Airstream. Imagine touring Route 66 in these babies!

 Just off the plane and already bar hopping.

 TacoDeli. Simply excellent.

 Good bye Lone Star.

 One street down from Congress Avenue, which is the main tourist street in Austin. It's motto is 'Keep Austin Weird'.

 Fresh as new snow, these two show no signs of wear after a late night of Austin clubbing.

 Jalapeño Won Ton Soup and a panini filled with Vietnamese vegetable and French pate. Quite good.

 Beef Pho.

 One man's throw away (Old silver spoons) is another man's Austin chic.

 And to think mom said, "No sex. No sex. Now it's OK." Really?

 Butternut Squash soup poured over thick slivers of really fine parmesan cheese.

 Warm goat cheese salad topped with thin slices of Parma ham.

Cream Brûlée. Life is truly good.

Adventure 85: Pecan Grove RV Park/Austin, TX/Post E

The Official Beer of Texas

From agony to ecstasy. We dropped Libby off for her return to Seattle; a few tears melted our hearts, but the lasting memory was the fun we had this Christmas. Judy, Leticia, and I then went to Sam's BBQ for a slab of ribs to feed the Dave and Liz when they arrive. We had a few hours to spend, so we drove to south Austin (Where the Locals go) to the Little Longhorn Tavern for chicken shit bingo. Dale Watson, who I think is part owner of the bar, plays with his band, The Lone Stars, on Sundays from 4-8. During that time, there are three rounds of bingo. People stand in line to buy a number. They put a chicken into the cage. Where ever the chicken does his business is the winner. Tonight, Leticia won the second round. This is a tiny tavern. The place was butt to belly full, and the parking lot out back has tables. Besides, people bring their own lawn chairs. It's an event, all for the sake of chicken poop. What a hoot!. Even though another cold front is coming to Austin tonight, dropping the temperature from 68 to 48 in a space of four hours, people were outside the Little Longhorn drinking beer and having a good time. When the chicken was put in the cage, people gathered around, but no one is allowed to touch the cage. When TC won, she let out a Texas sized hoot, which means, well you know what it means. Life is good, especially today.

Bike art.

Home of Chicken Shit Bingo.

TThe chicken.

Dale Watson and the Lone Stars. Watch Leticia's acceptance speech below.

chickenshitbingo

Adventure 84: Pecan Grove RV Park/Austin, TX/Post D

The Energizer Bunny

Four nights and counting we've been buzzing the clubs in Austin at well past midnight.  We almost always begin our days with food. Today, we made home made breakfast hash from left overs: A piece of rib eye cut into pieces, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, some egg, a little BBQ sauce, and toasted walnut bread. It was quite eclectic and quite yummy. Then, of course, we drove to the Taco Deli to eat again (Actually, there was a time delay because we did have to get into the truck). The Tacos were again superb. Afterwards we walked along the Red River, a part of Zilker Park (A very large-this is Texas-natural area in the middle of downtown Austin). We ended up at the famous Barton Springs swimming hole. The springs surface through fissures in the rock along the river. The temperature year round is 68-70. The city of Austin has turned it into a public swimming hole with life guards, open air changing rooms, and concrete walkways along both sides. It's pretty cool. Even in winter, there are regular swimmers. The lifeguards on duty said that summer finds the place teeming with people enjoying a respite from the Texas heat. We took our (Now normal) rest from four to six. Then, because the girls had ESPNU in their hotel room, we had a frat party with snacks and wine, and we cheered the ZAGS to victory over Santa Clara. Then we hit the bars. Libby was the tour guide, following the advice of her new twitter friend from Friday Night Lights. We found a cool off the path street (Rainy) where old houses have been turned into bars (About nine along a two block strip). It seemed like there were more Austin people there (Locals) and not as many tourists (Old bald guys wearing Gonzaga Sweatshirts). After a drink and a small tour, we headed back to the main music and club scene (6th Street). Weekend nights are quite different from the weekdays (I can only imagine what it's like when school is in session). The Greek gods Dionysus and Pan had definitely entered the building. For my own pleasure,  it's really fun to be with the girls, and even more fun to see them together. As for pleasuring myself in the Austin night life, I don't know how long it would take to get a handle on the music scene, but I can tell you this, we're trying. Party on, Frat Boy. And, Oh, yes! the first pleasurable game went to me, so of course, life is good, especially today.

 This Taco Stand has been SRO every time we've been there. We'll be back to get in line with the rest of the Tacos.

 Mother and daughter smelling the flowers.

 River swimming mid winter: Try that, you Priest Lakers!

 One of about a dozen Aussie boys working up the courage to dive in.

 Barton Springs from up river.

 I can't get enough of these twisted live oaks

 Would you look at that curl on the frozen custard.

 The frat room.

 Go Zags!

 Three babes outside in the Austin nightlife.

Quite ferocious bathroom art. These Texans talk tough!

Adventure 83: Pecan Grove RV Park/Austin, TX/Post C

The luckiest guy alive: three gorgeous ladies!

We closed up the Friends bar on 6th Street listening to a bunch of "friends' jamming pretty good Blues music. TC was dancing, so was the Hunny Bunny and Libby and I were jivin' in our seats. Fun was had by all. This late night honky tonkin' has us waking up around 9 A.M. (Boy am I glad I'm not drinkin'). This morning we began our walk of what amounted to 23, 875 steps. First, we walked up Congress to treat the girls to brunch at the swanky South Congress Cafe. Then we toured the capital after a side trip down 6th street in the daylight (Not the same). We stopped off at the Easy Tiger Bakery (and Bar plus) on the recommendation of Kel Babe Friesen. He didn't do nothin' wrong. After the forced marching tour, we rested for a while before heading our to Dirty Martin's a famous burger stand in business since 1926. It didn't disappoint. Then it was off to Antone's, one of the top ten music venues in Austin. He we listened to Country Western's version of head banging' loud metal. The first act from Dallas (SeaLions) were a punkish type with high energy and high volume. The second act (Hickoids) were a raunchy group of long haired country boys with screeching twin guitars and leave nothing to the imagination crude, rude, and vulgar lyrics. They were incredibly loud as well. The top bill (The Old 97s) were much more melodic, though still loud. They were actually excellent, but none of the acts were what we thought we read in the Austin Chronicle. Nonetheless, we had a good time and another good late night. Judy and I will have to crash at a State Park after this stint of misbehaving' in Austin. All is good. We had another successful food day and an experience for the ages musically, so life is good, especially today. 

 Blues jammers

 TC and the Bunny dancing'.

 Hey, cupcake!

 Three cupcakes.

 A Russian cupcake.

 Hey, I want a date with three gorgeous cupcakes.

 A Longhorn hanging from the wall of the swanky Driskill Hotel.

 These biscuits ain't free.

 This place has a bar with an incredible beer selection and stays open until 2 A.M.

 Tiger Claws.

 Sticky buns.

 Fried pickles at Dirty Martin's.

 Great Old Timey burger; fabulously light onion rings.

 Kissers.

 There's that lucky guy again.

 Fric and Frac: eyes open at 1 A.M.

The Old 97s rockin'