Chica 1 was on her own on this adventure. Sadly at the Houston airport, she grabbed a bar b que beef sandwich from Pappa's Bar b Que and the disappointment began. The sauce had a nice bite, but the bbq beef was bland. Time to catch the plane to Austin, combine that with being without Chica 2, and the trip already lacked that extra something. Didn't have that jokestar to pass the plate over to and have her taste the food and make some wild joke. Missed her saying something outrageous about just anything Oh well, life goes on.
As the plane in preparation for landing in Austin made its descent from the clouds, the smoke from the Bastrop area fires seemed to engulf the wings. It was a painful reminder of the lack of rain and the disaster that was unfolding right around me. Chica 1 said a prayer for those suffering through this tragedy and hoped the area would find relief from the drought and fires.
As the plane in preparation for landing in Austin made its descent from the clouds, the smoke from the Bastrop area fires seemed to engulf the wings. It was a painful reminder of the lack of rain and the disaster that was unfolding right around me. Chica 1 said a prayer for those suffering through this tragedy and hoped the area would find relief from the drought and fires.
Austin prides itself on
being weird, which is right up Chica 1’s alley.
So Chica 1 set out and about to explore the city and encounter as much
weirdness as possible. Although Chica 2
was absent, she was really only a phone call away. Strange how Chica 2 immediately came to mind when thinking out strangeness. Ugahh UggahhOff to dinner at Manuel’s in downtown Austin. It is just a few blocks from the state capital and has a reputation for excellence. Sadly, the food was at best average. The Chicken en Mole had large chunks of chicken but lacked the deep rich flavor. The dish was served with white flour tortillas which had a slightly sweet taste. The Nachos with salsa was nicely spicy! Chica 1 had a cantaloupe martini that was outstanding, so if you are looking for an interesting cocktail before dinner, enjoy this little ditty.
Austin is decorated
throughout with different longhorn cattle statues ornately adorned by various
local artists. This is such a great idea! Give artists the opportunity to display their talents as a part of what makes the city special.In addition, there is a very healthy display of public art in areas throughout the city. So walking the streets is entertaining to the eyes and relatively easy to navigate if driving.
Chica 1 Feeling a Little Batty?
Now Austin is home to a
large colony of bats and as luck would have it, Chica 1 found herself atop the
South Congress Bridge with a whole host of other visitors waiting! For what you may ask? For the approximately 1 million bats to take
their nightly outing in search of food!
Just think of a million
bug eating bats cascading from under the bridge. They rush out like a flood, oblivious to
their stardom. In waves they come as
people madly try to get a snap shot of the great escape!
This is a big deal in
Austin. The local newspaper is kind
enough to offer free parking in their lot so that you may without worries view
the huge bat deployment.
Now when the time comes, the hardest thing is capturing the black bats flying out in all their bat splendor, in total darkness. The eye is an amazing piece of equipment and the high tech digital cameras and video cameras were no match. The whole event has a carnival-like feel with vendors on roller skates selling glow in the dark necklaces and bracelets. All the participants had the same complaint, they had nothing on their pictures, just the still Austin noir evening. Noir is black in French. Whooo!
Now when the time comes, the hardest thing is capturing the black bats flying out in all their bat splendor, in total darkness. The eye is an amazing piece of equipment and the high tech digital cameras and video cameras were no match. The whole event has a carnival-like feel with vendors on roller skates selling glow in the dark necklaces and bracelets. All the participants had the same complaint, they had nothing on their pictures, just the still Austin noir evening. Noir is black in French. Whooo!
At one point, Chica 1
thought she saw the infamous bat sign illuminated in the sky! All is well in Austin tonight my cape crusading friends.
Chica 1 can hear the dinner bell clanging in the distance. Time to trot off and find Hoover's Cooking for a little soul food heaven. Hoover's is pretty plain looking from the outside, and provides the same consistency when you come inside. Wooden tables and chairs greet you. After being quickly seated, menus are provided and daily specials are pointed out on the chalk board on the wall. The dinner was delicious! The chicken was nicely seasoned and fried to a perfect golden brown. The sweet potatoes were creamy, sweet and tasty. The mustard greens were so good, Chica 1 ordered a second set to go. Cooked with smoked turkey meat, those greens were so wonderful you'd want to snatch up the cook and smuggle him home in your luggage. Watch out!
Chica 1 can hear the dinner bell clanging in the distance. Time to trot off and find Hoover's Cooking for a little soul food heaven. Hoover's is pretty plain looking from the outside, and provides the same consistency when you come inside. Wooden tables and chairs greet you. After being quickly seated, menus are provided and daily specials are pointed out on the chalk board on the wall. The dinner was delicious! The chicken was nicely seasoned and fried to a perfect golden brown. The sweet potatoes were creamy, sweet and tasty. The mustard greens were so good, Chica 1 ordered a second set to go. Cooked with smoked turkey meat, those greens were so wonderful you'd want to snatch up the cook and smuggle him home in your luggage. Watch out!
Chica 1 - How Low can you Go in South Congress (SoCo)
There are a lot of "back the car" in parking spaces which Chica 1 found to be a little weird. Chica 1 is able to expertly parallel park, but when the car goes in reverse, watch out!
Whew! After getting the car in the space without killing anyone, Chica 1 is out on the prowl. Strolling down the street window shopping was a simple enjoyable treat! There were so many oddities to choose from that Chica 1 thought she was going to over spend. Not really!
Chica 1 was tempted to
purchase the white, bell bottomed rhinestone Elvis suit in the window of one of
the stores. But realized she didn’t have
a proper place to display such an American treasure – Tee hee he
Chica 1 stopped by Ann’s
Ice Cream for a little cool ditty while walking. The white chocolate was not
that flavorful; what a disappointment.
Later, Chica 1 tried a cupcake from Hey Cupcake! and it was so good, Chica 1 came back twice before the end of her trip to take some home.
Chica 2 would at least get a delectable taste of Austin with a Michael Jackson cupcake.It is a simple chocolate cake bottom with a cream cheese top. Alrighty then! Sounds like a reverse Oreo, Just kidding.
One can only imagine what the ingredients would be if it were a Millie Jackson cupcake instead.... Chocolate bottom, chocolate top, strawberry middle and a few choice words to make it more provocative. You know what I mean!
Chica 1 Licking It Up in BBQ Heaven
Iron Works BBQ was calling Chica 1 for a last night supper. This historical site was the former home of an ornamental iron work shop, but lucky for Chica 1, it has been a converted bbq joint since the late 70s.
Walking into this country themed restaurant, you are greeted by products (rubbing sauces, bbq sauces, etc.) and cold drinks in tubs. Chica 1 ordered the beef ribs.
The dinner comes with potato salad, dill pickles, raw onions, pinto beans and two slices of white bread. Yee haww! The ribs are wonderful! Tender, seasoned to the bone and a balanced smoky flavor. The potato salad and the rest of the sides are ok, because the real stars are the grilled meats. Try the ribs if you're a pork lover. My dinner companion said they were equally awesome!
Time to bid a fond farewell to Austin, TX. Chica 1 found the city an interesting stopping point. Get out and enjoy the quirkiness that is all around town. Austin City Limits is waiting with some great country music. Maybe Chica 2 will be around for the next twangy note.
Later, Chica 1 tried a cupcake from Hey Cupcake! and it was so good, Chica 1 came back twice before the end of her trip to take some home.
Chica 2 would at least get a delectable taste of Austin with a Michael Jackson cupcake.It is a simple chocolate cake bottom with a cream cheese top. Alrighty then! Sounds like a reverse Oreo, Just kidding.
One can only imagine what the ingredients would be if it were a Millie Jackson cupcake instead.... Chocolate bottom, chocolate top, strawberry middle and a few choice words to make it more provocative. You know what I mean!
Chica 1 Licking It Up in BBQ Heaven
Iron Works BBQ was calling Chica 1 for a last night supper. This historical site was the former home of an ornamental iron work shop, but lucky for Chica 1, it has been a converted bbq joint since the late 70s.Walking into this country themed restaurant, you are greeted by products (rubbing sauces, bbq sauces, etc.) and cold drinks in tubs. Chica 1 ordered the beef ribs.
The dinner comes with potato salad, dill pickles, raw onions, pinto beans and two slices of white bread. Yee haww! The ribs are wonderful! Tender, seasoned to the bone and a balanced smoky flavor. The potato salad and the rest of the sides are ok, because the real stars are the grilled meats. Try the ribs if you're a pork lover. My dinner companion said they were equally awesome!
Time to bid a fond farewell to Austin, TX. Chica 1 found the city an interesting stopping point. Get out and enjoy the quirkiness that is all around town. Austin City Limits is waiting with some great country music. Maybe Chica 2 will be around for the next twangy note.
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