We left Carthage relatively early yesterday to make the nearly 5 hour drive to Austin. Took some pictures of working oil rigs on the way, though we will likely see many more in West Texas next week. We also saw a dead armadillo (victim of a car on the highway) and had to stop. Vale had never seen an armadillo before, so even though it was disgusting road-kill, she wanted a picture. Either way, we were able to check that one off the list.
It was lunch time just before we arrived in Austin, so we stopped at a little roadside diner for a great meal of Chicken Fried Steak and BBQ sausage. Ah yes, comfort food. I feel right at home. Just like my Mee Maw used to make.
First stop in Austin was COTA – Circuit of the Americas. Probably not very well known, but if you are a Formula One fan (or just like the Netflix series) or a MotoGP fan (like me), then you know it’s one of the tracks in the season. I’ve been lucky enough to see live races at Catalunya and Mugello, but not yet one here in the US. Maybe someday. They were hosting a Covid vaccination event at the track as well as some karting so we weren’t able to see much, but there was a very nice gate guard who told us how to get a couple pictures. Thank you nice gate guard!
After COTA, we went to the state capital in downtown Austin. Beautiful building and a very impressive central dome. We were able to get in (for free!) and wander around for over an hour. The State Senate chamber was closed to the public, but the House Chamber was open and we stuck our heads in for a picture. The best shots (and sounds) are in the central area where you can have fun with the echos from such a high ceiling and the combination of the dome above and hard floor below. I ended up chatting with one of the guards and he made it a point to ask if I’d “tested the echo”. Yes sir. Yes, I did.
After the capital it was getting closer to 5pm so we headed to our hotel. Of course, we were right in the middle of rush hour on a Friday, so it was good times all around. But we got to the hotel in one piece and were very happy to find that it was nice, peaceful, quiet, and has a great view. Oh, and a King sized bed.
Today we had a slow start before joining my cousin for some great bar-b-que at her local favorite place. Only in Texas would you walk in and have the huge smoker right there with a guy asking, “what would you like?” My cousin took the lead and made the order, they piled it up and Vale and I just stood there drooling over the wonderful meal to come.
We ate outside on a picnic table and chatted for a while, then were invited back to her house to sit on the back porch and shoot the breeze. Amazing experience. These are the days that remind us why life is so precious. It’s to share it with your loved ones and be able to spend time together. Many other people have used the phrase, “no one will ever wish they had worked more”. Regardless, it cannot be overstated. We work in order to enjoy life. We do not work because it is the only thing in life. So thank you cousin for your precious gift of time. It is appreciated.
Tomorrow we will make a quick stop at the Alamo before heading to Big Bend National Park. We have 2 nights there before we go to Carlsbad Caverns and then El Paso.
Ciao for now!