...can't you tell, this is Austin...
Well, definitely didn't get a post up yesterday, so here's two days in one! It's a bargain deal! And with your bargain post you get more pictures than words! (I'm pretty sure I've worded-out my readers recently anyway. haha)
And now: Two for the price of one!
Yesterday:
Headed out for downtown and the Texas State Capitol. Found a parking lot that was reasonable and trekked the two blocks to the Austin Visitors Center. After taking a few minutes to browse the brochures in case there was something that caught my eye, I grabbed a map of downtown and headed down Congress street to the Texas State Capitol. This is an impressive building seated on an equally impressive lawn. (I do not have a picture of the lawn, for which I do apologize.)
The rotunda is fabulous.
That star at the top is 8 feet across, by the way.
The floor contains a lovely mosaic denoting the six national governments in Texas history:
*Kingdom of Spain
*The Republic of Mexico
*Kingdom of France
*Republic of Texas
*Confederate States of America
*United States of America
The Republic of Texas star is in the center with the other five seals surrounding it.
After touring the State Capitol, I wandered across the grounds to the Capitol Visitors Center. This is the former Texas General Land Office (random fact: the writer O. Henry [William Sydney Porter] worked here as a draftsman.).
I made my way to St. Mary's Cathedral arriving just in time for the Holy Monday mass. Although I am not a Roman Catholic, there was something enthralling in participating in the corporate worship of the mass, even with abstaining from partaking in the sacrament of communion. In the interior picture, you might notice that the icons are shrouded. Here's why.
After this there was some random wandering around which included passing the Austin Convention Center...
...and the Austin City Hall.
Oh, and I had a lovely walk along the Colorado River.
Eventually, I returned to my car, drove up Commerce Street on my way to the Texas State Cemetery. Yes. I am one of those people who enjoys walking through cemeteries. What?
Also, it should be noted that here is where I saw possibly the largest flag ever.
For scale purposes, this is the bottom of its flag pole.
Finally, I went to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, AKA three full floors of Texas awesomeness. The exhibits are really great, spanning the story of Texas from the days of the Native American tribes to modern days, the Spanish armor to astronaut uniforms. It was well worth the time.
Then, after dinner, the three of us went to Halcyon Coffee House for a late night snack of S'Mores. Yes, that's right. You get to make S'Mores at your table. With fire. Win.
Today:
Today, because yesterday did not involve enough walking, I decided to do some more. I started with the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum. I was really excited about this since I can honestly say that I knew very little about President Johnson or his terms in office. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. The museum is quite well done (and free of charge). I have to admit to crying at the Kennedy assassination exhibit. Just the mere fact that Johnson was able to step into the presidency in such dark circumstances and be successful speaks a great deal of the man.
Then I trekked around the campus of University of Texas. I felt rather odd and conspicuous as I had no backpack or, in fact, bag of any kind with me and nowhere in particular to go. I did take some pictures (of course.)
After this, lunch at Schlotsky's followed by not enough time at the Blanton Museum of Art. I failed to take any pictured here, however. I do apologize. The building itself is lovely with a stunning foyer to which the linked picture cannot do justice.
In all, the past two days have been quite lovely and adventuresome and filled with learning and exploring. (Did I get enough conjunctions in there?) Tomorrow: the Mayfield Cottage and Gardens followed by Mt. Bonnell. Obviously I haven't done enough walking around. :-P
PS. All of these pictures, plus a few more, may be found here.