We Be Trippin': The Great DIS-nee Road Trip
- Thread starter DISgeeksfromDC
- Start date
swwake
RIP our sweet Magic (09/27/10)
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2008
Good Morning Everyone!
Today, let's take a drive out to see the Enchanted Rock.
Located about 70 miles West of Austin, (from the official website) The Rock is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome, that rises 425 feet above ground, 1825 feet above sea level, and covers 640 acres. It is one of the largest batholiths (underground rock formation uncovered by erosion) in the United States.
We visited one year at Easter in April, and the air temperature at ground level was in the low 70's. We hiked up to the top of the Enchanted Rock to find that the temperature was in the 90s. You're encouraged to take bottled water with you when you walk up. There are small pools resembling tide pools on the rock all along the way. You're discouraged from littering or doing anything to affect the wildlife. No carving on the rock.
On our way back from the Enchanted Rock, we'll stop in nearby Fredericksburg, TX, a quaint town of German heritage. It's fun to stroll the streets, visit antique shops, enjoy a cold (or served-German-style warm) beer, or some homemade ice cream.
Today, let's take a drive out to see the Enchanted Rock.
Located about 70 miles West of Austin, (from the official website) The Rock is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome, that rises 425 feet above ground, 1825 feet above sea level, and covers 640 acres. It is one of the largest batholiths (underground rock formation uncovered by erosion) in the United States.
We visited one year at Easter in April, and the air temperature at ground level was in the low 70's. We hiked up to the top of the Enchanted Rock to find that the temperature was in the 90s. You're encouraged to take bottled water with you when you walk up. There are small pools resembling tide pools on the rock all along the way. You're discouraged from littering or doing anything to affect the wildlife. No carving on the rock.
On our way back from the Enchanted Rock, we'll stop in nearby Fredericksburg, TX, a quaint town of German heritage. It's fun to stroll the streets, visit antique shops, enjoy a cold (or served-German-style warm) beer, or some homemade ice cream.
Disneyfalcon
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2003
Wow, Enchanted Rock looks cool!!
swwake
RIP our sweet Magic (09/27/10)
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2008
Heading back toward Austin, enjoy the beautiful views provided by the Texas Hill Country.
Now, with Cathie's permission, I am going to dust off the old Cat-o-timer:
and we're going to go So-Forward to March in Austin. It's when the famous bluebonnets bloom.
Driving casually through the hill country is a great time to get a good look at them, as the blanket the fields and hillsides.
The bluebonnets are wild flowers that signal the arrival of Spring. They are protected by the state and it is illegal to cut them. When we first see them, we get very excited and break out the cameras.
Here are a few shots we took several years ago:
Katie with Magic and our dearly departed Guess
I have always loved this one.
Now, let's go back to real time and stop into Driftwood, Texas for a bite of a different style of Texas barbecue at the Salt Lick.
The Salt Lick is a nice place out in the country, where you can bring your own cooler of your drink of choice. There is often live music onsite, and the barbecue, served family-style, is finger-lickin' good. It makes for a relaxing break in the day.
Enjoy your meal, and don't forget to pick up your own bottle of the famous sauce to take home with you!
Now, with Cathie's permission, I am going to dust off the old Cat-o-timer:
and we're going to go So-Forward to March in Austin. It's when the famous bluebonnets bloom.
Driving casually through the hill country is a great time to get a good look at them, as the blanket the fields and hillsides.
The bluebonnets are wild flowers that signal the arrival of Spring. They are protected by the state and it is illegal to cut them. When we first see them, we get very excited and break out the cameras.
Here are a few shots we took several years ago:
Katie with Magic and our dearly departed Guess
I have always loved this one.
Now, let's go back to real time and stop into Driftwood, Texas for a bite of a different style of Texas barbecue at the Salt Lick.
The Salt Lick is a nice place out in the country, where you can bring your own cooler of your drink of choice. There is often live music onsite, and the barbecue, served family-style, is finger-lickin' good. It makes for a relaxing break in the day.
Enjoy your meal, and don't forget to pick up your own bottle of the famous sauce to take home with you!
swwake
RIP our sweet Magic (09/27/10)
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2008
Tonight, we'll head to downtown Austin to catch the sunset there. Near Town Lake on Congress Avenue, you'll notice this sculpture:
The sculpture commemorates Austin's famous population of over 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats. The bats migrate from Mexico to Austin each summer and take up habitat under the Congress Avenue Bridge over Lady Bird Lake from May to October.
As the sun starts to set, people line up all along the bridge.
We will take our seats on a blanket on the lawn of the Austin American Statesman. It's the best viewing location, with the sunset behind the bridge.
I am not the authority, but I have heard that the bats are drawn to this particular location because the bridge was built with the perfect size crevices on its underside. Something like 2 inches wide by 6 inches deep, they provide a cave-like environment for sleeping, breeding, and caring for the young.
Every night at dusk, the nocturnal bats head out in groups that appear to be streams of smoke, leaving the bridge and heading east, to feast on various insects.
It's quite an amazing sight, and yet another thing that we "weird" Austinites will clap for. Yes, we clap when the bats initially take flight.
Though most people would think that bats are dirty and unhealthy, they are welcome in Austin, as they have the benefit of keeping our mosquito population down. Still, there are signs cautioning not to touch or handle a downed bat. They do get ill and they do carry disease. Also, I have heard that the guano is harvested for rich fertilizer.
Hopefully, you have enjoyed the Austin bat phenomenon. Now let's head for another great dinner experience.
We'll stop into Chuy's Mexican Diner.
Chuy's has great Tex-Mex food and an equally great environment. Designed to feel like a 50's era diner, the tables are formica lined with metal, chairs are padded vinyl with glitter in them. There are hub caps hanging from wires on the ceiling,
and a special Elvis shrine at the entrance.
Chuy's likes dogs, and patrons bring framed photos of their dogs to receive something (a free margarita, perhaps?). All the walls of the bar area are lined with photos of various dogs.
The bar area serves as a waiting room, and features serve-yourself chips and salsa, right out of the trunk of an old Cadillac. But the best kept secret is the creamy jalapeno dressing. Not on the menu, you have to ask for it. But on the tortilla chips, it's simply heavenly. I can make a meal of it.
A better-known secret is the annual green chile fest at Chuy's, each September. This is when "hatch" style cooking is added to the menu with famous New Mexico green chile ingredients. We went a few weeks ago, and it was fabulous!
The sculpture commemorates Austin's famous population of over 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats. The bats migrate from Mexico to Austin each summer and take up habitat under the Congress Avenue Bridge over Lady Bird Lake from May to October.
As the sun starts to set, people line up all along the bridge.
We will take our seats on a blanket on the lawn of the Austin American Statesman. It's the best viewing location, with the sunset behind the bridge.
I am not the authority, but I have heard that the bats are drawn to this particular location because the bridge was built with the perfect size crevices on its underside. Something like 2 inches wide by 6 inches deep, they provide a cave-like environment for sleeping, breeding, and caring for the young.
Every night at dusk, the nocturnal bats head out in groups that appear to be streams of smoke, leaving the bridge and heading east, to feast on various insects.
It's quite an amazing sight, and yet another thing that we "weird" Austinites will clap for. Yes, we clap when the bats initially take flight.
Though most people would think that bats are dirty and unhealthy, they are welcome in Austin, as they have the benefit of keeping our mosquito population down. Still, there are signs cautioning not to touch or handle a downed bat. They do get ill and they do carry disease. Also, I have heard that the guano is harvested for rich fertilizer.
Hopefully, you have enjoyed the Austin bat phenomenon. Now let's head for another great dinner experience.
We'll stop into Chuy's Mexican Diner.
Chuy's has great Tex-Mex food and an equally great environment. Designed to feel like a 50's era diner, the tables are formica lined with metal, chairs are padded vinyl with glitter in them. There are hub caps hanging from wires on the ceiling,
and a special Elvis shrine at the entrance.
Chuy's likes dogs, and patrons bring framed photos of their dogs to receive something (a free margarita, perhaps?). All the walls of the bar area are lined with photos of various dogs.
The bar area serves as a waiting room, and features serve-yourself chips and salsa, right out of the trunk of an old Cadillac. But the best kept secret is the creamy jalapeno dressing. Not on the menu, you have to ask for it. But on the tortilla chips, it's simply heavenly. I can make a meal of it.
A better-known secret is the annual green chile fest at Chuy's, each September. This is when "hatch" style cooking is added to the menu with famous New Mexico green chile ingredients. We went a few weeks ago, and it was fabulous!
Circusgirl
Queen of the Moisture Festival. Allora!
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2007
Hooray for bluebonnets (and the cat-o-timer!), bats, Golden Retrievers, weirdness and cool funky restaurant decor. Note to self: Do not read We Be Trippin' when hungry! Can result in sudden desire to buy plane ticket to Texas.
Disneyfalcon
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2003
Okay, those bats freaked me out!!!!
Okay, I'm seriously going to talk to Jeff about going to Austin in the next few years. It is spectacular and so many things to do. Texas, here we come!!!
Susan, you are doing a great job of showing us your state. I wish I knew WV better so that I could show you around here. Maybe next road trip!
Susan, you are doing a great job of showing us your state. I wish I knew WV better so that I could show you around here. Maybe next road trip!
swwake
RIP our sweet Magic (09/27/10)
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2008
Tonight, we'll visit Sixth Street, Austin's party district.
Keeping in mind that Austin is a college town, with the University of Texas Campus just a few blocks north of Sixth Street, we will find many young people out any night of the week.
Austin's answer to New Orleans's Bourbon Street, on a smaller scale, Sixth Street boasts several blocks of bars, restaurants and shops. Most of the bars are also live music venues, keeping with Austin's title of Live Music Capital of the World.
A cornerstone of Sixth Street,
provides just the right mix of entertainment.
I have made us reservations, so don't stand in line, just head for the door, enter and grab your favorite cocktail. We have a reserved seating section inside.
We'll be entertained for literally hours by the cast of Esther's Follies, featuring Ray Anderson, a GREAT magician. Also, you'll see this character:
Shannon seems to be able to pull just about anything out of that corset of hers!
As we head out of Esther's, keep your eyes peeled, as you may run into the aforementioned Leslie!
Now, head to your hotel (we can walk a couple of blocks right back to the Driskill) and get a good night's rest. I have more adventures in store for us tomorrow!
Keeping in mind that Austin is a college town, with the University of Texas Campus just a few blocks north of Sixth Street, we will find many young people out any night of the week.
Austin's answer to New Orleans's Bourbon Street, on a smaller scale, Sixth Street boasts several blocks of bars, restaurants and shops. Most of the bars are also live music venues, keeping with Austin's title of Live Music Capital of the World.
A cornerstone of Sixth Street,
provides just the right mix of entertainment.
I have made us reservations, so don't stand in line, just head for the door, enter and grab your favorite cocktail. We have a reserved seating section inside.
We'll be entertained for literally hours by the cast of Esther's Follies, featuring Ray Anderson, a GREAT magician. Also, you'll see this character:
Shannon seems to be able to pull just about anything out of that corset of hers!
As we head out of Esther's, keep your eyes peeled, as you may run into the aforementioned Leslie!
Now, head to your hotel (we can walk a couple of blocks right back to the Driskill) and get a good night's rest. I have more adventures in store for us tomorrow!
swwake
RIP our sweet Magic (09/27/10)
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2008
If you don't mind hanging in there with me for a few more days, I do have several more things about Austin to share with you. I know this is getting somewhat spread out, but life gets in the way. I will be on a business trip through Thursday, so it may be Friday night before the next tour stop. I hope that's ok with everyone.
Thanks for the comments! I am glad everyone is enjoying. Can you tell I love this town??
Thanks for the comments! I am glad everyone is enjoying. Can you tell I love this town??
Marshay
I'm Goofy for Mickey.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2007
6th street was great!!
Yes, we can wait until next week to finish Austin...in the meantime, that should give the next person fair warning that they are up in about 12 days or so...do we have any takers???
Circusgirl
Queen of the Moisture Festival. Allora!
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2007
Tonight, we'll visit Sixth Street, Austin's party district.
Keeping in mind that Austin is a college town, with the University of Texas Campus just a few blocks north of Sixth Street, we will find many young people out any night of the week.
Austin's answer to New Orleans's Bourbon Street, on a smaller scale, Sixth Street boasts several blocks of bars, restaurants and shops. Most of the bars are also live music venues, keeping with Austin's title of Live Music Capital of the World.
A cornerstone of Sixth Street,
I have made us reservations, so don't stand in line, just head for the door, enter and grab your favorite cocktail. We have a reserved seating section inside.
We'll be entertained for literally hours by the cast of Esther's Follies, featuring Ray Anderson, a GREAT magician. Also, you'll see this character:
Shannon seems to be able to pull just about anything out of that corset of hers!
As we head out of Esther's, keep your eyes peeled, as you may run into the aforementioned Leslie!
Now, head to your hotel (we can walk a couple of blocks right back to the Driskill) and get a good night's rest. I have more adventures in store for us tomorrow!
These are some of my favorite forms of entertainment - what a great evening! I LOVE the infinite capacity corset trick!
Thanks for the fantastic touring, Susan! Please take all the time you want to finish - this is a blast.
swwake
RIP our sweet Magic (09/27/10)
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2008
I thought it would be appropriate today to talk about this college town's home team. That's right, the University of Texas Longhorns.
If you're like me, you are sitting in front of the TV today watching the Number 1 college football team in the country on ABC.
Our home team is challenged today by Number 6 Oklahoma State. At halftime, the score is 21-14, and this is a great game! Hold onto that lead, Longhorns!
As with all home games, tickets are tough to find. The entire Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (and the city, for that matter) is transformed to a capacity crowd of over 94,000 fans, all dressed in burnt orange.
The stadium boasts Godzillatron, the nation's largest high-definition video screen in collegiate sports.
The screen can be seen by travelers driving IH-35 alongside the UT campus.
So sit back and enjoy the game.
Oh yeah, and...
Hook 'em Horns!
If you're like me, you are sitting in front of the TV today watching the Number 1 college football team in the country on ABC.
Our home team is challenged today by Number 6 Oklahoma State. At halftime, the score is 21-14, and this is a great game! Hold onto that lead, Longhorns!
As with all home games, tickets are tough to find. The entire Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (and the city, for that matter) is transformed to a capacity crowd of over 94,000 fans, all dressed in burnt orange.
The stadium boasts Godzillatron, the nation's largest high-definition video screen in collegiate sports.
The screen can be seen by travelers driving IH-35 alongside the UT campus.
So sit back and enjoy the game.
Oh yeah, and...
Hook 'em Horns!
swwake
RIP our sweet Magic (09/27/10)
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2008
As the game continues, keep an eye out for Bevo.
The official mascot of the University of Texas, Bevo is a burnt orange-colored longhorn steer. The current Bevo is Bevo XIV, and he went all the way to the Rose Bowl in 2005 to watch the Longhorns win the national championship.
According to Wikipedia, as of May 6th 2008, Sunrise Studly (aka Bevo XIV) weighs 1,800 pounds (820 kg), stands 5 feet 8 inches (1.7 m), and his horns measure 72 inches (183 cm) tip-to-tip. His birthday is April 8th.
The shape of Bevo's horns is the inspiration behind the "Hook 'em Horns" hand gesture, seen all over Austin, all the time. Even other famous Texans often wield the gesture.
Another icon of Longhorn football is Smokey the Cannon.
Used since 1953, the current Smokey is Smokey III.
The official mascot of the University of Texas, Bevo is a burnt orange-colored longhorn steer. The current Bevo is Bevo XIV, and he went all the way to the Rose Bowl in 2005 to watch the Longhorns win the national championship.
According to Wikipedia, as of May 6th 2008, Sunrise Studly (aka Bevo XIV) weighs 1,800 pounds (820 kg), stands 5 feet 8 inches (1.7 m), and his horns measure 72 inches (183 cm) tip-to-tip. His birthday is April 8th.
The shape of Bevo's horns is the inspiration behind the "Hook 'em Horns" hand gesture, seen all over Austin, all the time. Even other famous Texans often wield the gesture.
Another icon of Longhorn football is Smokey the Cannon.
Used since 1953, the current Smokey is Smokey III.
3guysandagal
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2008
Hi all!!
I am soooo far behind here I dont know what to say....
Will try to catch up.
I am soooo far behind here I dont know what to say....
Will try to catch up.
swwake
RIP our sweet Magic (09/27/10)
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2008
Despite what it might seem, UT is not just all about Longhorn football. Let's explore the University of Texas.
With enrollment over 50,000 students, UT is one of the focal points of the city of Austin. Austinites often complain about traffic patterns; however, as you can imagine, spring, summer and holiday breaks significantly reduce our traffic when students are not commuting to campus.
Founded in 1883, the University of Texas is one of the largest public institutions in the United states.
I thought these stats were pretty impressive: In the latest survey by the National Research Council, seven doctoral programs ranked in the top 10 in the nation, and 22 departments ranked in the top 25. Among Texas colleges and universities, The University of Texas at Austin ranked No. 1 in 30 of the 37 fields in which it was evaluated.
You know you're approaching the campus when you spot the UT Tower.
Built in 1937 and standing 307 feet tall, the tower is also known as the "Main Building" on campus.
You may remember the story of Charles Whitman, also known as the Texas Tower Sniper, who, on August 1, 1966, climbed to the top of the tower and killed 14 people, wounding many more, with a deer rifle. It was a sad day that closed the tower for many years.
On a "lighter" note (pun intended!), the tower is often lit in signature burnt orange to signify and honor athletic victories.
With enrollment over 50,000 students, UT is one of the focal points of the city of Austin. Austinites often complain about traffic patterns; however, as you can imagine, spring, summer and holiday breaks significantly reduce our traffic when students are not commuting to campus.
Founded in 1883, the University of Texas is one of the largest public institutions in the United states.
I thought these stats were pretty impressive: In the latest survey by the National Research Council, seven doctoral programs ranked in the top 10 in the nation, and 22 departments ranked in the top 25. Among Texas colleges and universities, The University of Texas at Austin ranked No. 1 in 30 of the 37 fields in which it was evaluated.
You know you're approaching the campus when you spot the UT Tower.
Built in 1937 and standing 307 feet tall, the tower is also known as the "Main Building" on campus.
You may remember the story of Charles Whitman, also known as the Texas Tower Sniper, who, on August 1, 1966, climbed to the top of the tower and killed 14 people, wounding many more, with a deer rifle. It was a sad day that closed the tower for many years.
On a "lighter" note (pun intended!), the tower is often lit in signature burnt orange to signify and honor athletic victories.
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