Skip to main content

32- Rest day in Austin

 Great nights sleep at a very quiet Super 8 motel. This neighborhood is mixed, residential and commercial, and includes Franklin’s Barbecue which apparently is a very famous and popular place to eat. The Texas music museum is also here.

Sue and I got up early. She is my roommate for this rest day as Ann is off with her husband and friends. We rode to CycleEast, a bike store nearby. I needed a new tire and Sue needed her derailleur adjusted. We enjoyed talking with Hannah the bike mechanic who was very generous with her knowledge. Another plus was the coffee shop that shared the same space as the bike shop. Lattes and bike talk — nothing better! And, as a bonus, I was able to swap the tire out when I got back with a minimum of help from anybody else.



Ankur and Tammi prepared us a delicious brunch in the parking lot and shortly after that Sue Grant’s friend Arlene showed up with a care package for me. It contains treats and snacks and chamois butter. Thanks Sue! You are the best!



Now it was time for some exploration. I headed to the capital building and grounds. There are wonderful gardens outside as well as many sculptures around the building. The capital was built in the same style as the US capital, with a large rotunda and much marble. Even the water fountains were marble.








I was struck by the stone 10 Commandments tablets outside the building. I know this was an issue in Oklahoma and they were removed under cover of darkness. I don’t remember hearing anything about this in Texas.

There was also an interesting inscription on a memorial for those that died “for states rights guaranteed under the constitution.” Texas left the union at the Time of the Civil War against the wishes of Governor Sam Houston. The plaque says the north resorted to coercion. I’m not sure what this means, but will be finding it out.



All this left me hungry and I walked a bunch of blocks to find a Gyro food truck. Worth. Every. Step. I love food truck food.

After lunch I wandered the city, focusing on sixth Street which is full of live music, bars, and art stores. After a few hours of exploration I met up with the crew at the moonlight Grill. More great food and fun – and a leisurely walk back to the hotel.



Things I learned today:

  • Texas had a governor who got impeached, so he supported his wife my Ferguson, for governor. Their slogan? “Two governors for the price of one.”
  • When it’s sunny on a rest day, it’s hard to rest.

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 27, 2022 at 6:19 AM

    I love the picture of you changing you bike tire. Determined. Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousOctober 27, 2022 at 7:37 AM

    Enjoy...it's the least I can do! Sue

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 42- Jackson LA

 It rained hard all night and this morning brought thunderstorms. Again we were lucky to have indoor accommodations. It continue to rain through breakfast. Drunk Bob, our weather app, predicted  possible clearing around 1 o’clock, which meant we’d have to fit 60 miles into six hours to get in before dark. Doable, but not preferable. At around 1015, after much standing around, adjusting layers and stretching, we set off. It stayed cloudy but dry. We were thankful for that small mercy as it was chilly. The ride took us across our first bridge of the day. This time it was to cross the Atchafalaya river. From there it was a route of back roads with light traffic. The sun kept peeking out, promising warmth and we were soon peeling layers. I saw some interesting things along the way. This group of cows had loose wattles  and humps like camels.  This church had a no trespassing sign on one of the doors. Just like Jesus said we should do. And this is the machine that cuts th...
3 comments
Read more

The Ducks Come Together

Since I pulled the trigger on this trip I have had the feeling that in trying to get my thoughts organized I am really in the process of herding cats. No, not cats. Squirrels. Wild, wooly, anxiety ridden squirrels. What sleeping bag? What tent? Will my bag be too heavy? Will all my stuff fit in said bag? What if my air mattress pops? What if I get cold (I hate to be cold). What if my tent leaks. What if - And then, all of a sudden, things start to come together. The squirrels are turning into ducks who are settling into rows. My bike is shipped. My backup bike has a new seat that is so comfy I might just bring it with me. I rode 80 miles yesterday and could have gone farther. I am upping my mileage and enjoying it all. I've decided on a tent and gotten the stuff to seal the seams and waterproof the fly. I've decided on a bag and today a sleeping pad came that might just suit me. I'll try it out this weekend in the backyard. The maps arrived and while I'm not sure how AN...
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 9- Tonto Basin

 Where to start? The 6:30 AM takeoff, the Tonto national forest where there are cactus instead of trees? Maybe the ropey cactus that could be CHOLLAS. Or the incredible views of the superstition mountains that we rode through. They stunned me with how beautiful they were. I even enjoyed the 12 mile climb, even though I stopped every half mile to breathe. The grade was about 4% so it was doable, and the switch backs and wide shoulder negated the fast traffic. I had to just stop and take it all in at the top. The pictures just do not do it justice. And then we went down — 6 and 7% grades made for sore hands. I picked something up in my tire that didn’t seem like a big deal at the time. Stay tuned. We stopped in Jake’s corner at the general store for something to hold me for the last 10 miles. The sky was dark and threatening and we heard thunder closing in. The girls in the store said if we were going we should go, so Carl, Kelly, Adam and I booked to camp with a storm on our heels. ...
1 comment
Read more