Monday Jan 14 - Friday Jan 18th
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| Austin Metro Rail in rush-hour |
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Tile mosaic in lobby of Museum
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I hate when I get to Friday and can't remember what
happened on Monday, but I can't!!! Although we did spend some time in the gym.
On Tuesday we decided to head into Austin to explore the Museum.
We had a little adventure by taking the Metro Rail into the city. It is a
very cheap way of travelling into the city (about 50km). We paid $5.50 for a
day pass (seniors rate is only $2.75 for 24 hours of traveling all the public
transit our hearts desired). We went to the Texas State History Museum
and were completely immersed in the Historical development of modern day Texas
from the early Indians through to today. We had no previous knowledge of how
Texas gained its independence from Mexico, only to join in the United States
union a few years later. The exhibits were well presented, although we did
giggle a bit during the Theatre presentation that included rumbling seats,
lightening and even hair raising feeling of a locust on my neck... it did go a
little over the top with the Lone Star State patriotism. But in so many ways
the patriotism of so many of the American's we have met is to be admired and
envied. Lunch in the Museum Cafe was incredible... they sure know how to
eat well in this country. Shredded brisket of beef stuffed into a baked
potato. :-)))
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| View from Museum Cafe - The Lone Star |
Tuesday evening we went to a presentation on Africa
in the RV resort pavilion. A couple had recently returned from a type of Safari
and showed photos and shared they're experiences. We were also introduced very
happily to an amazing beverage- The Beerita - whoooohooo!!! One part beer, one
part concentrated lime-ade, one part seven-up and Tequilla... (to taste)....
oh wow!!!
Evan and Kyle finally got the furniture we shipped
from Ontario in early November!!!!
Wednesday was a bit of a lazy day, gym,
reading, internet research etc. It was a cold night and we decided to get the
electric blanket out to combat the chill. The RV resort was hosting a 'Wecome
back Winter Texans' pot luck in the pavilion, so we headed over with some
homemade hummus and crackers. Had a great night meeting more new people and
networking. Fun night.
Thursday was a day we won't soon forget
for one bad reason and one good reason. We headed out to Costco in the morning
and were no sooner digging i to the free samples (as you do) when our phone
started ringing, first it was the resort telling us that they have turned our
water off at the mains as they noticed some water coming out of our unit. Then
it was our neighbour calling to say water was pouring out!! Left the samples
and hightailed it back to discover that the inside was dry (yeah!!!) but the
whole underneath insulation was bowed under the weight of a large amount of
water. After much head scratching by us and several helpful neighbours, we
started to take things apart, first underneath. No leak we could find... more
head scratching and catastrophe thinking. We finally discovered that water
inlet a pipe feeding the hot water tank had popped out and had been spewing
water into the underbelly of the unit. We left all the insulation layers open
underneath the RV to dry out.
Now the good part of the day::
After a quick dinner we tripped on down into Austin
in the truck to go to Austin City Limits to see Keane (a British band)... wow
what a night. Opening band (Youngblood Hawke) were fabulous and Keane was a
great surprise. Lead singer is very impressive and obviously very popular in
Austin... packed house and a real party atmosphere. Photos taken with
Iphone.
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| Hanging out with friend Johnny |
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| Is he after booze or boobs |
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| Photo of Keane through iphone through binoculars |
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| Austin City Limits venue - Moody Theatre |
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| Austin at Night |
Friday gave us the gift of beautiful
weather after a night of freezing temperatures. Derek got up early to head
out to Star Ranch near Round Rock, Texas with a bunch of guys from the resort
to play golf. Hot Breakfast buffet, 18 holes, a cart, and a buffet lunch, all
for $48 taxes incl. He had an amazing day and was VERY pleased to be under 100. Just
being out on the course and enjoying the warm weather and the company of some
great guys. Janice spent the day basking in the sun, riding her bike around the
resort and reading her book. Relaxing and counting our blessings today.
Spent the evening blogging and watching a bit of telly.
