So Racecar and I adventured to Austin, Texas to watch her Florida Gators take on the University of Texas Longhorns in a game of American-style college football. Both teams were angry for a win with the Gators travelling into Darrell K. Royal Stadium on a two-game losing streak (to Missouri and South Carolina - the latter on UF's Homecoming) and the Longhorns fresh off a loss to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry.
Since this was my first time in Austin, Texas - here are my 10 observations:
10. Bats. The bats are a must see. Around sundown every day, the bats come flying out from under the Congress Street bridge to go feed. AN ESTIMATED 1.5 TO 2 MILLION OF THEM!!!!
9. Reservations at the bar. If you want to go to a nicer place but do not have reservations and you think that you can just sit at the bar in an empty bar seat ... Nope. Ran into one place that required reservations AT THE BAR!!!
8. Sixth Street. My boy Kev-O once described the San Antonio Riverwalk as the bastard child of Disney and Bourbon Street. Taking that observation as the starting point - Sixth Street is the delusional step-cousin. Walked into a bar a few blocks from where we were going to have dinner and they patted me down. Other than employees - NOT ONE OTHER PERSON WAS IN THIS BAR!!! Don't really need to be in that type of place at this stage in my life.
7. University of Austin. Etched into the glass of a University of Austin meeting room in the lobby of the Omni hotel was the phrase, "Don't just join a university; start one!" Ladies and Gentlemen - have I told you about Southwestern Central?!
6. Two Huge dinner recommendations: Comedor and Suerte. Comedor is a little fancier; everything is served tapas/family style and has a Michelin recommendation. Suerte is nice, but not as fancy as Comedor and absolutely delicious. Placed on top of the guacamole is a manchego-basil pesto. Brilliant.
5. Waymo/Cybercab. These things are EVERYWHERE! (Which honestly makes sense.) Rode in my first Waymo. It was a bit weird, but hey, some rideshare drivers are horrible anyway.
4. Texas Fans. The Longhorn fans were all very nice and hospitable. Not one that I saw gave us - or anybody else wearing Gators colors - any grief. Many offered congratulations after the game.
3. Arch Manning. It is clear that Steve Sarkisian and the coaching staff have no trust in Arch Manning. The playcalling shows that they do not want Manning trying to make (force) plays. Simple offense with timing more important than decision making. Even on Manning's one long pass Florida's corner fell down so there was no real defense on the play.
2. BBQ. Delicious, and everywhere.
1. Rainey Street. This was my kind of place. Several blocks of low-key bars and restaurants with lots of live music, outdoor patios and even televisions. Adult vibe. Surrounding the restaurant/bar blocks are several high rises with a grocery store and other amenities necessary for a community. Street ends in a park with a 3.2 mile trail. This is the type of area in which I could live. Really close to downtown and the university (a long walk or short ride,) but still its on area. I highly recommend.
