THE BACKROADS

WE TRIPPED OUT to AUSTIN, for a planned weekend that led to a host of delightful finds. Once settled into rooms booked at THE WESTIN AUSTIN Downtown a three-day weekend presents time for carousing the local eat spots, shopping, museums, and sizing up a few nightclubs. THE KINGDOM, discovered during a day walk to the Capital Metro Rail... an inner-city rail system designed to alleviate driving from outer edges of the city, was a second night stop to shake out cramps from the long ride to Texas on the Amtrak Texas Eagle. The lines outside during open hours were validation that it was a valuable find. For anyone loving the jumping beats delivered by "house music" and a cool atmosphere which manages to maintain a constant chill on a room crowded with dancers and wall hugging oglers this is the place to loosen up. We didn't have much time for meeting and exchanging numbers of anyone newly found but the regulars seem to hit it off and not end up leaving alone. The lounge hours hold until 2pm on weekdays and 4:30 a.m. weekends.

Day walks from the hotels on a short schedule permits time to discover small local interest museum/shops MEXICO ART MUSEUM where browsers can experience local emotion toward life in the hat. The place literally replicates waiting death with its every notion a decorative skull, skeleton or images of dying individuals. We learned the desperation of the culture that gave birth to the area. There are affordable items for anyone hoping to bring back a bit of culture as souvenirs. For those preferring more athletic exposure, ZILKER PARK and LADY BIRD LAKE are within walking distance of the hotel and offer canoeing, biking and jog trails. There is a cafe located in Zilker Park for breaking from under the Austin heat. No Mo's ice cream and other frozen treats are guaranteed to keep anyone up and off the ground. Alternate tastes may prefer Medici's Roasting House or Starbucks which also serve cooled drinks with a coffee or tea base.

Other unmentioned opportunities include guided walking tours of historic marks to include the old capital building, original structures from Civil War era and bronzed statues memorializing fearless lone women, such as Angelina Eberly who held off financial ruin during the gold rush, Willie Nelson... from country music's hall of fame, the Vibrancy Guitar, The Price of Liberty statue, and a thrill seekers jackpot... watching a hoard of 1.5 million Mexican Freetailed bats that roost beneath the famous Congress Avenue Bridge flying out every evening, Spring through fall... we were advised not to miss that one!

Two scheduled group meetings over the weekend gathering demanded front and center attendance during the Austin trip, although the ride to and from was its own bit of an escape. The Texas Eagle rail excursion is popular for people from all walks of life. Students traveling to and from distant college campuses, kids on mom and pop custodial swap ups, grandma and grandpas going to see family or on return trips. Whichever you encounter there are many opportunities for finding a new friend if it is only one in need of your extra blanket. I do suggest avoiding the toilet area at any point. It seems to be the only place magnetizing inescapable filth and odor. Sanitizing hand and body solutions are a needless mention. The food is somewhat comparable to what I would find at an invite to dinner at either of my children's dining tables prepped by their mate. Dine in... if only for the experience but DO NOT test the toilet facilities. Boxes of fried chicken are not allowed; they want you to have the full experience and will sit with you if invited. Our trip to Austin from St Louis was truly short, affordable, and memorable.

Plan ahead for entertainment when going there, know that time changes places available to tour and dine. Go in the summer or fall for the best climate, and be ready for the heat that is Austin, Texas.