Austin is Awesome

We had a terrific week in Austin. Bob lived there for five years in the early 1970s, and has always talked about it with warmth and affection. I had always wanted to go, but had been deterred by the fact that it is in the middle of Texas. This first visit showed me everything about why it is a wonderful place to visit, and a great place to live. It also confirmed my impression that is in the middle of Texas, which obviously has its downsides both geographic and political. But, boy, what a fun place to visit. We  found a perfect pace for our visit. We saw a lot of the city, from the glitzy and more sophisticated downtown to some of the edgier, and probably more interesting, neighborhoods that have a more hipster feel. We had a lot of down time, hanging with friends who live there, and  riding our bikes in the beautiful State Park where we stayed. We listened to music in several venues; and we just got a great relaxed feel for the city.

Austin from the bike path around Town Lake. Looks a little bit like Boston, doesn't it?

Among the highlights were walking around the UT campus with Bob as he reminisced about his graduate school days; visiting the LBJ library (isn't it amazing how different a President can start to seem a few decades later?); walking in Lady Bird's Wildflower Center and arboretum;  and going out to the hill country to Salt Lick BBQ, clearly the largest barbecue joint the world has ever seen.

Music happening in a big outdoor space while you wait...and wait...and wait... for a table at Salt Lick

We also visited  probably our favorite brewery of the trip so far, called Hops and Grains. They make some damn fine beer, but you've got to go to Austin to get it. This picture probably tells you everything you need to know.

With art like this, and great beer to boot, something tells me we will be back to Austin.