Wofford Travels – 2019-10-21- Austin, TX-1
Greetings,
Another travel day ahead…heading to Austin, Texas! We left the hotel at 11:00, a little later because I got into a conversation with the hotel manager inquiring about the property. Tom said that he thought the building was originally a Holiday Inn, and sure enough, it was. It didn’t look like a Super 8 at all because there was a swimming pool under cover. Apparently, it was out in the open previously and then was covered later on. It was quite attractive with plants and a curved-shaped pool. And, it seems that it was something else before it was a Holiday Inn. It was obvious that there had been a lot of renovation done because the inside had all new features.
We left a little later, also, because we got into a conversation with an elderly couple in the breakfast area. The gentleman had oxygen equipment with him. He was on a lung transplant list and they were going to stay in Dallas, for however long they needed, so that he could be ready to “go” when a lung became available. The man was 72 years old. He said that different hospitals handle this differently. Some would not consider him because of his age. The one they were working with did not consider age, rather the health of the individual, and other than his lung issue, he was in good health. (Good to know these things!) In any event, they were a lovely couple and we enjoyed the conversation. It reminded me of the many bed and breakfasts we experienced in Europe where you got to meet so many interesting people and could share your travel experiences and take in theirs.
On the road we started to observe that we were driving now more through “range” country…arid to semi arid, a few trees where cattle can graze. It is obvious by the overall look of the land that the trees are much shorter than what we are used to in North Carolina due to the drier climate.
Close to noon we crossed the Texas State line and went into their very impressive Welcome Station. There were expansive walkways and grass, which was perfect for us to get our legs moving. I was surprised to see a beautiful sculpture of a larger-than-life soldier in motion as though he were in battle. Four bronze-on-stone plaques behind it listed those who died in battle. The stone base, which held the statue, had World War II history, a dedication plaque, and statistical information. As I texted some friends afterwards, “Poignant war memorial at the Texas Welcome Station on I-35. It’s all about appreciation and gratitude. Hope you’re all doing well.” It was certainly a moment of reflection!
Inside, we found a tremendous amount of literature where we picked up the Austin-related material. There was even a small room to watch a video, which we bypassed. Outside, a small windmill and a few grain silos (empty, of course) added to the ambiance.
We arrived in Fort Worth at 2:15 and got into a little bit of traffic, but it was manageable. Driving further we found ourselves in a little more hill country. It’s always interesting to see how the layout of the land changes over the miles…something so easy to forget as each location merges into the next. It’s almost insidious because you can be in territory completely different from where you started and can’t pinpoint where it all happened.
We stopped for gas a little after 2:00…now at $2.12 a gallon. Around 5:00 we got to Temple, TX where we ate a wonderful meal at Pignetti’s. (It was time to get in a little Italian.) We both selected the Eggplant Rollatini, some nice Italian bread, a beer for Tom, and wine for me. Need I say more?
By 6:45 we were on the road again, finally reaching our destination at 8:00: Extended Stay America. I love it because the room is big with, of course, a full kitchen (stove, refrigerator, microwave, and dinnerware by request). Linens are for our 4 days, but we can ask for more if needed. There is no regular maid service, and that works for us. There’s a nice canteen on the main floor with several tables, a TV, and “Grab and Go” items: oatmeal and grits in packs, small muffins, and Valley Breakfast Bars, coffee, chocolate, and hot water…open 6-9:30.
We’re in Austin, so we couldn’t go to bed, yes, after driving a full day, without seeing some music venues. So, Tom checked out the happenings close by and decided on the “Continental Club” to see “Jeff Hughes and Chaparral.” It was a five-piece band, all very professional, with a good sounding baritone front singer, playing a variety of songs, basically roots dance music.
There was a $7.00 cover charge. Our drink was Scotch on the rocks (6 for $24.00). We each downed 3, of course, before it was all over…but they were not terribly strong, so it wasn’t too difficult to do…this is coming from someone who doesn’t drink much…as some already know.
The band was quite good. (Would you expect less in Austin?) There was no chit chatin’ with the audience, just a lot of singing and playing. And…there was a lot of two-step and more dancing on the floor. Some of the couples were very good, and you got the sense that they 1) either belong to a dance club(s) and went to the bars to try out their moves, or 2) had done it for so long, that they just had gotten good at it.
What was almost more entertaining than the band and dancers were at least 3 men who were a little, can I safely say, inebriated. They would wander on the floor, not knowing what they were doing, making strange moves, and would often stand in front of the band, with arms outstretched, as though they were the entertainers. (I don’t believe that they were connected to each other.)
Tom and I had managed to get barstool seats right up front. So, one of the fellas came by me and said, “You look like you would be a good dancer. Why aren’t you dancing?” I told him that I did it years ago, but I didn’t know the steps. Then I said that my husband doesn’t dance, which he mistook as, “My husband died of cancer.” He asked me a couple of times, “Did your husband die of cancer?” before I realized the question…the music was quite loud, of course.
Then, when he understood that my husband was sitting right next to me, he asked how long we were married. I told him 41 years, and he left and came back several times to ask again and congratulate us on this accomplishment.
Well, we had a good laugh about all of this, but it was time to leave…we started at 10:00 and it was after midnight. We figured we got off to an “interesting” start to our Austin visit. By the way, the location of this club is in a somewhat eccentric part of town, and, as noted earlier, not far from our hotel. (We’re hoping to catch a couple of bands each night after doing the usual tourist things during the day.)
When we got to the hotel, a young man was at the front desk. Tom heard the desk clerk ask him if he had a business card. He said, “No, I don’t believe in business cards,” which gave Tom a good laugh because…why wouldn’t you believe in business cards? The entertainment never ends.
Back to our room and lights about 2:30. The day has obviously moved later into evening. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow has in store for us…we’re in Austin, after all!
ODO 20,020 (2,270 miles).
Tita