Big City Tales

Amazin’ Austin

The Frost Bank Tower in downtown Austin is the city’s third tallest building.

Austin is alive with history, the arts, music, and SO MUCH MORE!

Before I sing the praises of this lovely Texas city, a quick comment regarding a major traffic jam encountered on the I-35 North between San Antonio and Austin. Even though my sister and I thought this would be the shortest jaunt between stops on our 10-day tour de force exploration of Texas, we were sadly mistaken. We also did not take into account the fact that it was the day before American Thanksgiving, so the interstate was bustling with holiday-related traffic. Further, we did not expect that our travels may be impeded by a stretch of construction. As to the end result of all of these miscalculations, a full hour’s delay prompted a mental note to be made: DO NOT travel the roads in Texas the day before Thanksgiving!

The Driskill Hotel in Austin’s historic district is where the likes of Elton John, Cyndi Lauper and other celebrities choose to stay when in town.

Whole Foods – A Foodie’s Mecca

After getting off the bustling interstate, our first stop was the Whole Foods store on North Lamar Boulevard. No self-respecting foodie would miss the opportunity to pay homage to the chain’s flagship store — a massive structure of over 80,000 square feet — offering professional chefs and at-home cooks alike access to a bevy of high quality, specialty food products.

Having arrived just before noon, the store was packed with people stopping in for lunch, as well as those trying to get a jump on picking up the fixings for their Thanksgiving meal. Good thing the store’s outdoor parking is supplemented by a two-level underground parkade. Believe me, every spot was in use and there were even attendants on hand to help direct traffic and manage the mayhem.

For two fanatics of all things Whole Foods, my sister and I thought nothing of grabbing a snack-to-go, then making plans to return for dinner later in the day! Upon our return visit, we approached the store from the NW side of the city and noticed a very unique scene.  With the sun setting in the sky behind us, the local telephone/electricity poles and hundreds of birds perched on the wires were silhouetted in the fading light.  It was a spooky and surreal sight, especially when flocks of them suddenly took flight circling the building, perhaps in search of food scraps falling out of shoppers’ bags!  While this was likely a typical sight for local residents, we were completely enthralled with what we saw, but dinner was beckoning inside. No time for bird-watching with so many gourmet goodies waiting to be devoured!

A view of the pathway leading to the Texas State Capitol Building.

State Capitol Building – An Architectural Wonder

Modeled after the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., the Austin version is actually slightly higher in elevation and is made of a soft pink granite. The Lone Star symbol of Texas is featured prominently on the mosaic floor and painted ceiling of the interior rotunda, as well as outside in the hand of the Goddess of Liberty statue that sits proudly atop the building. Portraits of past presidents of the Republic of Texas and past governors of the State of Texas are hung on the walls inside the rotunda. Elsewhere in the building, statues of Sam Houston and Stephen Austin can be found, along with a portrait of Davy Crockett.

The Republic of Texas seal inside the dome of the State Capitol Building.

Taking up 360,000 square feet, the Texas State Capitol is the largest capitol building in the United States and sits on over two acres of land, decorated with 17 monuments. It truly is the crowning jewel of Congress Avenue.

Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum – An Educational Experience

History buffs will appreciate the exhibits found within this three-level structure that tells the story of Texas from its early days as a fledgling republic to its recent past as a thriving state.  The travails and triumphs of prominent cowboys, oilmen, astronauts and sports figures are told celebrating the themes of land, identity, and opportunity. It is a striking building with many interesting architectural features, particularly the 35-foot-tall bronze star sculpture that sits in the exterior courtyard. Another distinctive aspect of the museum is that it is a non-collecting institution, meaning that artifacts are provided on an on-loan basis and exhibits are regularly changed. What this also means, however, is that photography is prohibited to protect the items that are showcased in the museum.

Too bad you can’t take pictures inside the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, but it’s still a pretty cool building to photograph from the outside.

UT Tower – A Panoramic View

Located at the heart of the sprawling and scenic University of Texas campus, the UT Tower stands tall and majestic, offering a full 360 degree view of the city of Austin. The tower is the beautiful centre piece of this lush and expansive campus that extends south to the State Capitol building, and includes the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum.

The UT Tower is located in heart of the University of Texas campus, offering some of the best views of the city.

The LBJ Library and Museum is undergoing a major renovation and is set to fully re-open all exhibits in mid-December 2012. What won’t change is the interior of the Oval Office during LBJ’s term as president.

Laguna Gloria – A Peaceful Refuge

A short drive to the west end takes you to the shores of Lake Austin and the site of Laguna Gloria, an area that is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Sites. Notable for its picturesque views and peaceful grounds, visitors can take a leisurely stroll along meandering pathways or wander through Driscoll Villa that contains some holdings from the Austin Museum of Art. There is also an exterior sculpture garden to admire.

Overlooking Lake Austin, the Italian-style Driscoll Villa at Laguna Gloria is the former  home of socialite Clara Driscoll, and was the original site of the Austin Museum of Art.

On the Road Again

Crossing our fingers that holiday traffic would certainly be abated by the evening, we ventured with trepidation out onto the I-35 North on our way to Dallas.

Just when we were thinking we were making good progress, yet another (thankfully to be our last!) traffic backlog occurred. By comparison, this one was a doozy and was particularly aggravating as it wasn’t just one delay, it was a series of delays over a long stretch of the interstate.

Then, to add insult to injury, when we were finally in the homestretch and minutes from reaching our downtown hotel, the interstate suddenly forked and we were steered off course now heading southeast.

It took what seemed like an eternity for an opportunity to turn around and get back on track, but our navigation smarts came through and we rolled in ragged and weary to the Hyatt Regency.

Sleeping in was prime on the agenda for Thanksgiving morning in Dallas!