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| Here we are beside Lady Bird Lake, Austin TX |
Each time we arrive at a campsite, we have a routine that we follow to set up. Russ attaches the electricity and water, puts out the door mats and accomplishes other outside tasks. Dana works inside, putting down the stabilizing jacks and pushing out the slides (don't worry, both tasks are done with motors), and bringing out the things that are stored during transit. The whole thing takes 20-30 minutes. When we pulled into Pecan Grove RV Park in Austin, to us it was just another arrival. Russ had only gotten the electricity attached and Dana had only put down the stabilizing jacks when we got a knock on our door. It was our neighbor Carolyn inviting us to a cookout that evening at her campsite. So, after we finished our tasks we buzzed off to Whole Foods, got food to contribute to the cook out and returned to spend time with our new neighbors and make new friends. This was the second time on this trip that we have been invited to dinner by strangers. We have found Texas to be a very warm, generous and welcoming place.
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| The Austin Skyline |
We came to Austin to see our friends Dale and Linda Tietz, who we had not seen in 21 years since they moved to Austin from Fairfax. We also came to see the famous bats that live under the Congress Avenue Bridge and swarm out to feed every evening at dusk. Austin likes to "keep it weird" and prides itself on its quirky decor, eateries and shops. We were camping steps away from some of these spots, and they were fun and colorful. The food was also really good. The city is bisected by the Colorado River (of Texas) which has been dammed to form Lady Bird Lake, also known as Town Lake. There is a wonderful pedestrian/bike trail around the lake and a huge off leash area for dogs.
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| We took time out from visiting for a selfie... |
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| Waiting for the bats under the Congress Ave Bridge |
We had a fabulous dinner with Dale and Linda at Chuy's (yummy Mexican food) and then took a river boat trip under the Congress Avenue Bridge to see the bats. 750,000 pregnant Mexican Free-tailed bats arrive each spring to live in the grooves under the bridge. These tiny bats have their babies in Austin and raise them in a big nursery with all of the babies together. Initially, the Mom's go out to feed on their own, then by summer the babies come out as well, making 1.5 million bats and the largest urban bat colony in North America. At sunset they swarm out from under the bridge, tiny dots against the darkening sky. It is an impressive sight that is difficult to photograph. We loved seeing Dale and Linda and catching up on all of our kids and our own lives. Old friends are the best friends!
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| Texas Capitol |
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| Lovely! |
The next day, before we pulled out, we visited the Texas Capitol Building. It is a lovey, impressive building built of Texas Pink Granite. We were interested to learn on the tour that the Texas state legislature meets only every other year, unless called into special session by the governor.
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| With Gordon and Laura |
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| Gordon's Mom's wedding picture is over his shoulder, and a photo of her as a mature woman is over mine |
Our next stop was Arlington, Texas, to see Dana's 1st cousin once removed, Gordon Smyth and his girlfriend Laura. Gordon's mother and Dana's grandmother were sisters. It was a large family and the two sisters were the first and last of the children. We had such a wonderful time meeting and getting to know them. We also toured Gordon's amazing new veterinary clinic. One of the joys of travel is having to opportunity to connect and reconnect with people who are important to you.
While we were in Arlington, we also drove past the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers' stadiums. It was fun to note that the Visitor Centers (also across the street) staff felt the same way about the Washington football team as we do about theirs.
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| Where the Cowboys play |
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| A model of the stadium in the Visitors Center |
We then drove 60 miles north to McKinney, Texas to see APS friends Chrys and Monty Forrester. Sadly, we were so busy gabbing over lunch that we didn't take any pictures, something we truly regret. They live in a very comfortable town with a lovey historic downtown area. It was fun to catch up on mutual friends and gratifying to see them so relaxed and happy in retirement.
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