Austin Sunday

On Sunday our hostess Ms. Paula served a lovely breakfast of oven French Toast. I need to get that recipe for when the fam visits. Then we were off again - this time to climb a mountain - or what passes for one in Texas.

monument at the top of the hill overlooking the river and city

 

These ladies agreed to pose with flat Chris and Paula

 

 

Pam and I walked down the block and took pics of the local building artwork


 

Then we stopped at the Women's Art Center for a bit of shopping. I got a couple neat photos to frame as mementos of my trip.

The University of Texas campus was our next destination. Traffic was busy, but Paula deftly drove us around an accident - and got us to this beautiful fountain.

Texas Capitol - think the Gov is home?

By then, we were hungry again. We proceeded to a fun barbeque place called Rudy's. When they found out where we were from, and that we'd not been there before they rang a bell and said "we have a bunch of newbies from all over!" We got to try samples of everything before we ordered. It was very good.

I got turkey, beef and creamed corn

That night we were so stuffed we only ate guacamole, chips and popcorn. Along with a few adult bevs, that was just right! Man - there's nothing like hanging out with people you've known since you were knee high to a grass hopper. They know all your warts. You know theirs. And there is nothing but love and support going on - trading recipes, family information and work situations. They got stuck listening to a bunch of my crappy stories. I guess I'm more like my daddy than I ever knew I would be. He told stories too.

Sally talked us into taking a mini version of the Myers Briggs Personality Assessment. She brought along worksheets and scoring sheets with assessments. They weren't perfect - except Joanie's. I think her assessment pretty much nailed her personality! Mine made me sound a lot like Pat Bullock - a tough decision maker. I hope I come across as having more heart than that! Interesting exercise.

Paula delivered me to the Austin airport Monday morning. It was tough to say goodbye. I don't know when I'll see my buddies again. Love 'em - they're important to me. Again the security line was slow - and I messed up and had the wrong boarding pass in my hand. After fumbling around to find the right one - the TSA gal checked it and sent me to the short line! The one where you don't have to take your shoes off. Must have felt sorry for the dumb lady...

I got myself rearranged after getting through security and heard...bagpipes. It was an honor guard escorting WW2 vets heading out to Washington D.C. I was already feeling sentimental from leaving my friends - and this choked me up even more! Those old fellas looked so proud. The musician played Amazing Grace and a singer did the National Anthem. Awesome. It was a fitting end to my weekend.

We salute you