Scouting For Local Eateries

We enjoy getting out site seeing, however when the heat slaps you in the face when you open the door, we just prefer to stay under the air conditioner.  Our entertainment on this trip to the Austin area...searching Trip Advisor for locate eateries.

Black's BBQ, Lockhart: saw it was #1 on some listing, so of course wanted to go check it out.  We saw Black's Original BBQ in Austin...hey it's Black's, so let's stop here instead of driving to Lockhart.  Bad decision apparently.  We tried brisket, turkey, pork rib, and sausage, coleslaw, and potato salad.  All were SUPER DRY with no favor.  The sides were nothing to rave about either, seemed as they were nothing more then store bought.  Supposedly location is "key" to good BBQ for Black's.  We never got pass the bad experience to drive to Lockhart, TX.

Sausage link, pork rib, slice brisket

Rib didn't even pull off the bone

Cute place downtown Bastrop

Paw Paw's Catfish House, Bastrop, TX: fried catfish & shrimp, hand-battered onion rings, and hot fudge chocolate chip brownie sundae.  Heard the burgers were good but couldn't get past the fish each time.

Paw Paw's Platter

Only sign about cafe

Hit The Spot Cafe at The Library of Garfield, TX: Yes there is a restaurant inside the public  library, but unless you pay close attention you wouldn't know it from the outside.  Burgers were awesome on homemade bun & hand-battered onion rings. Also known for their chicken-fried steak.  Kids said breakfast was really good, so of course had to try it out...and Jerry confirmed the CFS was pretty darn good.

Jerry's chicken fried steak breakfast

Awesome local eatery: breakfast or lunch

Grilled Chicken Tacos

 Torchy's Tacos, Austin, TX: started out as a food truck/trailer, but now have store front locations in Austin & Dallas.  Delicious!

Jerry & Lisa

Hopdoddy Burger Bar, Austin, TX: Popular spot in Austin - people line up out the door for  their food (burgers & salads). We had to wait for approx. 20 minutes to order, so guess not to bad according to others. Fresh Angus burgers, fresh local produce, homemade buns. Good, but think The Library had the better burger.

Inside dining area

Stout Chocolate shake & Llano Poblano Burger

At least saw the place (lol)

Franklin's BBQ, Austin, TX:  We came to Austin to try Franklin's, but they were closed for vacation.  Guess it kept us from standing in line not knowing if we would even make it through the line before running out.

Us at end of line @10:45, 1of3 smoking pits

La Barbecue, Austin, TX: Kyle recommended us trying this place if we didn't want to wait at Franklin's.  Kinda hard to find until we realize it's a food trailer not a store front - behind a fence, next to the church.  Got there approximately 10:30 - people sitting around at picnic tables, lady told us we open at 11, so we took a seat. Few minutes later she announced people could start lining up, about 20 people in front of us, seat down to eat at 11:40. Jerry talked with the pit guy; they have three pit areas ( two for briskets, which cooks 26 briskets each and one for all other meats) usually enough to serve till 6 p.m. as of this post.  Of course we wanted to try a little bit of it all:  Pork Rib tender - fabulous favor (favor stayed with you), Brisket pulled apart nicely - tasty with nice smoke ring, Turkey good- heavy on pepper, Pulled Pork good - shredded nicely, but more vinegar base instead of sweet, Sausage looked good but forgot to order it.  Potato salad yummy - chunky red potatoes, season nicely.  Chipotle coleslaw spicy - too much spice for us.

 

Menu

Brisket, Turkey, Coleslaw (Pork Rib Bone)

Line by the time we left - approx noon

Us at The Market with Truluck's in the background

Truluck's, Downtown Austin:  We decided we wanted Seafood for our anniversary dinner, so Trip Advisor was our go to for the best rating - Truluck it was.  Our reservations wasn't until 8p.m., so we took the opportunity to visit Ryan at work, after all The Market Tap House was literally across the street from Truluck's and our parking lot - Score!  Our waiter Austin was such a pleasure to visit with during our diner.  He had done some extensive traveling and currently working on plans for a tiny home in Austin.  Jerry had the Sea Bass, which he described as being fabulous it was like dessert.  Where I had the Copper River Salmon, which was good, but but not to the level of Jerry's - maybe it was the way I had it cook. I must say I would definitely get the Sea Bass next time!  Then Austin surprised us with cherries jubilee over some type of chocolate bread pudding with Happy 7th Anniversary. We didn't even get a photo.

Maxine's, Bastrop, TX: Decent breakfast, but nothing unusual.

July 11-24, 2015

Austin Trip: Kids, Anniversary, Food

Wrapping our time up in Central Texas; heading back to West Texas.

We came down from Lubbock to visit our oldest son Ryan, Lisa, and grand dogs Millie & Beanz, before they head back to Florida, celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary, and of course scout out local food. And get in a little baby talk - Lisa is 17 weeks pregnant with our first grandchild, sex unknown, but we predict a girl.  They were already in The Oak RV Park in Cedar Creek, TX, so we just got our reservations there as well. 

The kids purchased a RV trailer knowing there were some issues, but really didn't know the extent until we got started.  Isn't that normally the case.  We were able to get them in pretty good shape in the limited time we had; water damage fixed, carpet out, painting started, and minor maintenance.  They will continue with the remodel by painting rest of trailer and add wood flooring...can't wait to see the transformation completed.

Water damage left corner, built-ins, and all that brown

Rebuilt corner/floor, closed bay door

Finish product (without flooring)

 
























We might of had limited time, but being foodies, we made plenty of time to search out local eateries (so we thought; afterward found out some have moved into the Dallas Metroplex). Stay tune, as it really deserves its on post.

Featuring breakfast for three

It has been so hot our RV weather station showed temps as hot as 105 (heat index around 110) during the day. Needless to say we didn't get out to really site-see much during our two week stay.  Yes we made a few side trips while out, but the one thing we wanted to see was "bats".  Congress Ave bridge is the BIG hangout to see the bats in Austin...hundreds, thousands, or even millions of them, so I checked the bat website (yes the bats have their own website) for the time schedule during our stay (8:45-9:15 p.m.).  The site states the bridge is known for its 1.5 millions bats - SWEET the biggest siting yet.  The first time I ever seen bats was in Big Bend N.P. and they scared me to death, now I want to see millions in one place (lol).  
Unfortunately that didn't happen :(( We seen maybe a handful before a water vendor came strolling through, soon hearing a soft voice say... "Have you seen any bats yet?" 
Us:  Oh just a few...
Vendor:  "They haven't been coming out much, it's been a long time since the masses where seen".
Us:  Really
Vendor:  "Your best bet is to go under the bridge to see them".  
Us:  We wanted to see them in flight.  We had already been standing there overlooking all the water activity below, so snapped  selfie and we opt to go look for food.  

People everywhere waiting for the bat show

Selfie on the bridge

Our hopes, but only saw a handful

July 11-24, 2015

New roads; New Journeys

I love getting in the car and going for a ride; a memory I cherish from my childhood.  We would stop by the store, grab a soda and a snack (usually peanuts and put it in my soda), and would often hear "not sure where this road goes, but guess we will find out". 

Well on this day in 2006 my dad got into the driver seat and headed down a familiar road, but yet unfamiliar all at the same time.  Something seemed so different this time; he asked God to guide him and lead him to surrender his need for another drink. Along the way he found much more then he could ever dream to be possible - a happier man, husband, and dad.  A gift I will cherish for a lifetime!!!

 

Then this past February (February 22, 2014) he turned down another road with a leap of faith - an all new road, yet to be paved.  Turned out to be much rougher and challenging, but can see the end in sight.  I've seen the struggles, his determination, and know he will complete this challenge and  journey as well --- and be smoke-free until the end.

Dad, I could not be more proud of you for all you've been able to accomplish after so many years of struggling!

In celebration stop by the store, grab that soda and peanuts on your way to Lewisville to get a new star added to your Zippo.  For the ones who's not in the know; my mom and I wanted something special he could carry with him as a reminder of his accomplishments.  After given serious thought we chose a Zippo lighter (something he had been wanting), had a message engraved on it, and each year of accomplishment a star gets engraved on it.  Wish I had a picture of the lighter, but this is the message... 

 "Surrender is not being weak and giving up, it's simply coming over to the winning side using a power greater than yourself to continue the journey"

I've had my share of drunk fest and took up smoking (not once, but twice).  I seldom have an adult beverage these days and have been smoke-free since April 1997.  I'm very thankful everyday for choosing a different road.  This saying has always driven me... you either go with it or you go totally against it - I prefer "against it".  But, it's so easy to get pulled into either of these diseases, especially if your have the gene or addictive personality; something to keep in mind - doesn't matter of rich or poor. 

 

With love, be safe ~D.

Veteran's Day 2014

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. “
—Joseph Campbell

Veteran's Day is an opportunity to salute our military heroes. It is a special day when we step out of the whirlwind of our daily lives and take time to thank those who have united in an effort to protect our most sacred freedoms.

We believe our courageous men and women deserve our gratitude each and every day. Even when public attention loses focus, we must not forget the men and women who continue to put their relationships on hold and their lives in jeopardy to protect America's sacred pledge of freedom and democracy. Vowed to never forget!

Please take a moment to pay tribute to all of those who are currently serving, those who have served, and especially those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Also lets don't forget our four-legged solider who served beside the brave men and women of our military.

"This will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." ~Elmer Davis

This says it all...

“The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.” —Patrick Henry



The late Andy Rooney, a World War II vet, suggested Veterans Day be renamed "No War Day," because that "would be worth celebrating".




Jerry being a Vietnam Veteran feels that most who have seen the devastation that war brings would be celebrating. His thoughts go out for everyone in uniform and to the day we can celebrate no combat troops active in any war.

We salute each of our veteran men and women today and everyday for your bravery and sacrifice to protect us.  Hugs!

Clowning Around at the Chainsaw House

Halloween is about family, fun, and enjoying sharing a little “Trick or Treat” with the community.  It started with the matriarch of the family years ago, until it was taken over by the younger generation and landed in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  It takes some long days and about 3-4 weeks to get it all setup for many to enjoy.  

This year was a bit hard for us all, as we missed the beautiful matriarch clown handing out the candy to all the kids.  Even some of the regulars asked about her and/or took a moment to look at the “Loving Memories” memorial we had behind us.  Memommie you will always be with the crew, all the fond memories to enjoy for a lifetime!

If you happen to be in the Shawnee area on Halloween, it’s worth stopping by Osage Street to see what all the hoopla is all about at the “chainsaw house”.

 

Nothing scared our Little Lincoln

Few little ones got scared by the chainsaw

Lincoln with her daddy

Brothers Clowning Around

Deb hanging with the clowns of the family

Three Generations

Great job gang...hope I'm lucky enough to be around next year to enough in the fun once again.  Maybe I'll even have time to join in with the proper outfit. 

10/31/14 ~D