Day 22 - February 2, 2024

Today we moved on to Austin, Texas. We are here for a week. Here are a few of the condo, the view from the balcony and a Blue Jay that came for a visit.

Then, this evening we went for a short walk along 6th Street. This is the street that hosts many bars, restaurants and live music. We outdid ourselves and had a drink in one of them and listened to the music. We also went into The Driskill Hotel. Completed in 1886, it is stunning.

When we got back to the condo, a lightning/rain storm came through. I managed to get one shot with the lightning in the sky.

Day 23 - February 3, 2024

The Texas State capitol is a magnificent building. Unbelievably well maintained, it was completed in 1888. The desks in the Senate are original from 1889 and look like they were installed yesterday. The grounds are stunning even at this time of year and would be even more so in the summer.

Then a walk down Congress Avenue to 6th Street E. which has several blocks of bar after bar after bar. Most of these have live music, some during the day as well at night. It is Saturday night and the street will be full. We are about two weeks too old for that much action so we are staying in instead. But, not before watching a beautiful sunset over the skyline and from our rooftop pool.

Day 24 - February 4, 2024

An "easy" day today. Well, sort of. We made the mistake of trying to do some shopping. Even on a Sunday the traffic was nuts. Then when we arrived at the mall, about 11:00 am, we learned the mall was open but the stores don't open until 12:00. So, we waited it out only to discover that you can't buy "Texas" stuff (Verna wanted some things) in a mall. They have shirts and hoodies from all over the US and the world, but not Texas. Weird. Anyway, we finally drove to an independent gift shop where she had some success.

Then we made a quick stop at the Barton Spring Municipal Pool. This is a 2 or 3 block long spring fed pool. Very pretty.

This evening we went to the Austin City Limits, Moody Theater to see a concert by The Fab Four. An excellent show by a good Beatles cover band. The venue is magic. Quite small and intimate. There are dozens of photos on the walls of stars that have played on this stage.

Day 25 - February 5, 2024

Almost no pictures today. We decided to go car shopping. Not really as we don't really need a new car but it's always fun to look. Well, at least for me. I am not sure Verna agrees but she was a trooper tagging along. So, I took a photo of a new Lexus TX. Only about $80,000 US.

Then Bud E. was upset that I didn't buy it for him so when we got back to the condo, he went out on the balcony and wouldn't talk to me as he watched the sunset over the Austin skyline.

Day 26 - February 6, 2024

What started out as a day with nothing planned, ended up being quite busy and a very good day. It started off with getting some shots from the 22nd floor of our building of downtown Austin and the Capitol building.

However, Google made a mistake…yes…it’s true. There is a tower at the University of Texas that my Google research told me has great 360-degree views of Austin and it was a good thing to do. So, we went, but the tower has been closed since Covid. But that was OK because on the drive there, we drove through some neighbourhoods with old homes, and I got some shots of beautiful old homes and architecture. Then lunch on a Starbucks patio in the sun before driving through downtown and some street shots of the ultra modern buildings.

In the evening it was off to McKinney Falls State Park. Some Vultures, a few egrets (check out the feet!), a large turtle and a lovely sunset highlighting a waterfall. There are two waterfalls, and I am curious. Which do you prefer – the crisp waterfall images which are more realistic to what they actually look like, or, the long exposure, creating the “milky” effect?

Day 27 - February 7, 2024

We decided to have a go at a round of golf today. The Lions Municipal Golf Course is having a birthday this year. 100 years old. It shows it's age. Apparently the land is owned by the University of Texas and it wants to close the course and sell it but the city is in a battle to keep it open. I think the last time fairways saw water was in 1924 (kidding of course). Anyway we had a blast. Verna played very well but in the 11th picture, she had just hit a ball into the water and I snapped this photo. We both had a good laugh at it.

Then we went to Terry Black's Barbecue. What an amazing place. There really is no way to describe how many people they feed in a hurry! It's like an assembly line that doesn't stop or even slow down. They serve up your sides, then you tell them what meat you want, they cut it right in front of you, weigh it, you pay find a table (a challenge) and enjoy. Really good.

Lastly, a trip over the Congress Bridge and up Congress Avenue for few night shots.

Day 28 - February 8, 2024

Just a lazy day. A drive to Marble Falls for something to do, a few shots of some birds, then tonight, a couple shots of the Austin skyline from our balcony.

I tried a few long exposure, with movement shots. Interesting results. Tomorrow I lose my navigator and wing person as I will be taking Verna to the Houston airport. She flies home and I carry on to Galveston.