There are two places where one must go when it Austin - Sixth Street and the state capital.
OK, so there is a whole lot to do in Austin, but when you go, you have to hit the state house. I mean, it's where all the laws and such are written, argued, passed, re-passed, repealed, brought up again, the whole maddening circle of government. It's also a storehouse of history.
The grounds are immense, and are loaded with statuary and signs describing the history of the capital building and the area. The statues pay tribute to groups or individuals important to Texas.
Also on the grounds is the State Capital Visitors Center. With three floors of displays, films and other educational materials, the visitors center is a great place to start off a visit.
Now, I've been inside the capital before, and highly recommend checking it out. The dome is taller than the one at the U.S. capital building and is topped with the Goddess of Liberty. The one up there now is a reproduction. The original was removed in 1986 due to concerns about deterioration. However, she was restored and now takes a place of honor in the Bullock Texas State History Museum just up the street.
Here's an interesting tidbit: The goddess was designed to be visible from street level. In order to make her face more distinguishable, some of her features are exaggerated. As a result, she's pretty ugly up close.
Tidbit #2: Just how did Texas pay for the capital? By using the only thing we had in the late 1870's worth anything - land. The government traded 3 million acres to a couple of developers from Chicago in return for the construction. That acres became the XIT ranch, at the time the largest ranch in the world.
The statues on the grounds include the Tejano Monument, celebrating the history of the original Texans: Mexicans who emigrated in the 1700's, settled the area, and stayed, loyal to the land. The Terry's (no jokes, people) Texas Rangers monument pays tribute to the Texans who fought during the civil war. Monuments to volunteer firefighters and the heroes of the Alamo also grace the grounds.
Of course, you can't visit Austin without hitting 6th street. This collection of restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and quirky places are where the term "Keep Austin Weird" is held with high esteem. I went with high hopes of getting my favorite Chicken Mole at La Chupacabra near Trinity. Alas, it was not to be. Not only were they closed, but Mole was not longer on the menu. So I went with my second choice: Bangers and Mashed at BD Riley's pub. That could not have been a better choice. It just so happens the Women's World Cup was on the tellie and I caught the last few minutes of the latest US victory!
That's it for this week. I'm sitting in a hotel in Dallas, waiting to go get my rig. It's here, and the good folks at Motorhome Specialists are getting it ready for me.
Unfortunately, they found an issue with the air conditioning and have to take it to the Ford house to get it fixed. They say it should be a quick fix. I sure hope so!
Next week will be spent getting moved in. I have a couple of ideas for next weekend's post, and have a surprise coming.
Later, folks.
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