Weirdly (about) Austin

I was realizing that the last post was more about San Antonio instead of Austin, so this one – I promise – will actually be about, you guessed it, Austin.

When I returned from Austin, the part for my fridge had arrived, which I also forgot to tell you that I ordered when I got to Austin. I figured out that it was likely the thermistor after doing some reading and asking around. This did involve me learning what a thermistor is, but when it arrived, I installed it without issue, and just like that – we have refrigeration again. Thankfully, I have small hands and a basic sense of survival, which proved to be vital in this repair. 🍫🍫 Throughout this journey, I’ve learned that I can live without running water, refrigeration, and in the most desperate of times – without electricity.

This prompted a trip to HEB for fridge-worthy supplies, an hour and thirty minute round trip to Chicken Salad Chick, and a stop at an independent bookstore (BookPeople) for a book. Austin is excellent for indie shops, and since I decided I was going to go to some library book clubs while I was in town, it was a great find.

Meanwhile, back in Minnesota, my Dad went to test drive a car for me that I had seen online and had expressed some mild interest in. (After Austin, it was gonna be just a short amount of time before Arthur and I would leave Estella behind and head out for some extended stays in the cities that were the finalists for our Unicorn City.) So, through my Dad and his BFF at the car dealership, Troy, I was able to buy a car in MN while living in TX. More on that later.

Because I was so close to College Station and had meant to go to the George Bush Presidential Museum the last time I was there, I made the trek there. It was a really well done museum. I even got to look very presidential.

I really didn’t want the picture behind his desk, but the docent made it sound like it was a requirement, so TA-DA, here I am behind a replica of President Bush’s desk, looking very presidential with my backpack. The sculpture outside the museum was also outstanding. I love horses and how they incorporated them into a monument celebrating the Berlin Wall coming down was well done.

There were some really beautiful moments at the RV park as well. Like this sunset.

And stars!

I had a work trip to Florida during my time in Austin, so I got to experience the Austin airport, which was great – easy and breezy – a very different experience from Houston.

A friend visited from Waco for a day of adventure in Austin. We went for brunch at True Food Kitchen at The Domain. Then we headed over to LBJ’s Presidential Museum.

There was a really nice art display and a good amount of Lady Bird’s personal effects and her office, overlooking the university. We had a good time wandering through history and then decided to go to grab a snack near the RV park. It was good, but I can’t remember where we were, but it’s just outside of Del Valle, TX. And I do remember that I had the steak nachos.

Well, we’re all starting to get tired, so more Austin later.