I’ve been wanting to take you to Austin for a long time. Did you know that? Today’s the day-let’s go, shall we? (Let’s put on a little Austin music to set the scene. It is the Live Music Capital of the world so we must have some music! Press play for a little Stevie Ray, Austin legend, and come right back so we can start our tour!)

We spent the first night in a little condo, but it ended up being a bit too small, so we switched to the Austin Motel-”so close yet so far out”–were we’ve stayed before and loved.

But we did enjoy the garden at the condo–isn’t’ it cool?

Now we must get our Magnolia Cafe fix right away–open 24 hours.  This was our 1 AM craving for pancakes or apple pie place when we lived here.  But since we’re here for breakfast I recommend the Popeye omelette.  You won’t be sorry.

Now onward to campus.  We will bore the children with stories of our college days…..

Here’s the tower.  It was closed when I was a student , but now you can go all the way to the top and take in all of downtown.

Wouldn’t you like to just jump in here now? I mean its 102 degrees in the shade….

See the TX State Capitol there?  There’s a law that prevents anything from being built that disturbs the sight line between the UT Tower and the capitol-so this view is preserved. Thank goodness-cause its such a pretty view, isn’t it?

This is where I lived my freshman and sophomore years (1988-’89). Pretty swanky for a dorm actually.  Right across the street is one of my very favorite places-the Harry Ransom Center.  Its a beautiful museum with so much art! And the Guttenberg Bible too.  I don’t think I really appreciated enough when I lived there being just a kid and all, but it was really great to have all of that 2 minutes from where I lived.

The Chemistry Building. I spent a fair amount of time here.. Hmm? What’s that? Oh-why did I spend so much time in the Chemistry Building? Because of a very handsome chemist that I was madly in love with….

his old lab….

 

 

shade trees….

Za is standing in front of my old building-The Department of Human Ecology. The hours and hours spent here in flat pattern and draping….it was home away from home. (and just a short walk to the Chemistry building!)

she is….

I’m so glad you are coming with me all over Austin! What do you think? Are you having fun? Here is my very first apartment. I loved this place.  That’s it, right there, on the second floor. A mere 500 sq feet-but I loved every inch of it.

I must say I loved living here-me and my schnauzer Bubba. On our own in the big city. My first real taste of independence.

Let’s take a break! I want to take you to Hyde Park Cafe where you can have THE best french fries you will ever have. And I’m not even a big french fry eater, but you will love them-dip em in the mayo dressing they bring.

I do have so much more to share with you–but I think a nice siesta is in order and we’ll come back tomorrow? How about that? I hope you are loving it as much as I am!

While you’re resting you might like to watch a couple movies made in Austin-yes?

 

Slacker is one-my very dear friend’s hubby is at the very end (on Mt Bonnell) he’s the one holding the video camera! Dazed and confused is another you might like…

want a little more fun?

 This is a great video about Austin and this one is cool too.