Adventure 361: McKinney Falls State Park-Austin/Post E

Good Bye, Austin.

Amazingly enough, we're less than twenty minutes from downtown Austin, but it feels a lot farther. McKinney Falls State Park used to be a thoroughbred horse ranch back in the 1850s. The skinny, young live oaks look like they volunteered to cover up the grasslands horses used to roam. It's a nicely designed park that includes a three mile bike/hike loop around the perimeter three large loops for RVs and its highlight is the two sets of falls. We're tucked into a nice pull through site, and though we're really still in Austin, there is little mechanical noise to prove it. We're so close to Austin, we chose to go honky tonking  again tonight. We drove in to the La Barbecue, which is a food truck located on the Southeast side of downtown, for an early dinner. We gorged ourselves on a succulently slithering  beef rib and chopped brisket sandwich. We ate no sides and drank only water. Still, the richness of the beef has stuck with us well into the night. I think it would be sinful to come to Austin, Texas and not enjoy some version of BBQ. La Barbecue has a good tourist rating, and I think it lived up to its burgeoning reputation. It's not cheap (Beef ribs run $20.00/lb.) Our selection weighed in a 1.3 After dinner, we wandered around Congress Street until the early show began at the Continental Club. It left us satisfied, but also made us realize that we're really small town folk. I think we'll find our Luchenbach experience next week to be more to our liking. But seriously, what's to complain about. We got on the bike for awhile today; we gorged ourselves on rich Texas beef, and we availed ourselves of some of the best culture this town has to offer. Like we say, "We love Texas." Austin also marks our turn around spot on this year's adventure. After Saturday, we'll be headed for the barn. We pray for traveling mercies, and enjoy whatever we get. Like it says in my favorite book of the bible (James paraphrased). No one is promised tomorrow, and we're obliged to accept the good and the bad with equal enthusiasm so thankfully we say,  "Life is good, especially today".

 Frac, safely tucked into site #8 at McKinney State Park.

 Part of the bike/hike trail. This section runs by the river, so its more open. The other side cuts through the forest.

 I'm not sure three miles will offset the calories we've been consuming, but it felt good to ride.

 McKinney Falls.

 Papa, thinking about ignoring the warnings. Did you know that tandems can swim just like ducks.

 Pretty yummy, though so intensely rich, it's good we don't eat this stuff often.

 1.3 lbs.

 Art shot of the day: Bottle caps ground into gravel; it's known as the boot scoot noogey. 

 The brisket sandwich is dressed with chipotle slaw.

 The iconic night club of Austin.

 All dressed up waiting for the crowd to arrive.

 Caspar Rawls

 Soon we'll be dragging Fric and Frac up and over this spaghetti of a freeway on our way out of town.