Day #8: Austin!

Well, it took awhile, but we finally made it to Austin.  The kids had trouble getting up this morning, so we didn’t get on the road as quickly as I had hoped.  We had heard horror stories of the patrol cars along I-10, so we stayed at least 1 to 2 miles UNDER the speed limit the entire way!

At one point, a blue car sped by us, and sure enough, about 10 minutes later we passed him as he was pulled over by police.  SO glad we stayed within the legal limit and didn’t get pulled over!

Once again, our lunch stop was not very noteworthy.  In the desert, when you have to use the restroom or eat, you pretty much get what you get.  The options are far and few between.  By the time we were hungry and ready for a pit-stop, our only options were McDonalds (ugh), Taco Company (saw it was located within a gas station and decided to pass) or a Sonic Hamburger place.  We chose Sonic.  I got a Chicago Dog for something different, and Emily thought I was COMPLETELY out of line!  Oh well, it definitely wasn’t as good as the real thing.

We stopped in Fredricksburg for gas and a stop at the bank…I’ve got to remember this town for future reference.  It was so quaint and nice.  Definitely worth more than the drive-through we gave it.

We finally got into Austin around 5pm, found our condo, figured out how to get into the gated parking lot, and started moving our stuff up three flights of stairs.  You don’t realize how hot it is until you have to do something like that!  We were dripping wet.  UGH.  As my girlfriend Susan who lives here noted:  Once you've been here for awhile, you don't worry about personal hygiene anymore...that ship has definitely sailed!

After recovering a bit, we headed out to dinner at Threadgills Restaurant on the other side of Lady Bird Lake.  They are known for their “award winning chicken fried steak” so, I dutifully ordered mine…and I am so glad I did!  WOW was it yummy!  The pecan pie afterwards was wonderful as well.

After that, we headed on over to the park where the masses were beginning to form for the fireworks.  We did a bit of shopping along the sides where tents were set up, and I ended up getting a pretty bracelet, Em and I got a hairclip that we agreed we’d share, and Pete got a balloon animal.  Everyone wins!!

We enjoyed hearing the orchestra accompany the fireworks.  The best part was being able to walk back home after it was all done!  It was a great end to our first ½ day here.

Tomorrow, SWIMMIN' HOLE!!