Austin & TX Hill Country - Day 4
The second-to-last day of our Texas vacation was spent in the Hill Country, on the road, and finally back in Austin. I got up early to do a short run around Fredericksburg. Afterward, Larry and I enjoyed a final breakfast on the patio of our B & B. Then we returned our rental bikes and hit the road—Austin bound—with just a few stops along the way.
Our first stop was, well, back to Luckenbach. Larry had enjoyed our visit there the previous day so much that he wanted to go back. This time with a mission—to film himself singing Waylon Jennings’ Luckenbach, on stage in the dance hall. Only a few select family members and friends were granted access to the footage. But I’m the only lucky one who can say I witnessed it firsthand. 
Next, we made a quick stop at Becker Vineyards. For a $10 tasting fee (which included a cheesy souvenir glass I didn’t even attempt to fly home with), I tried the ‘11 Viognier, ‘10 Roussanne, ‘11 Provencal, ‘10 Reserve Grenache, ‘09 Malbec, ‘10 Reserve Merlot, and the ‘10 Reserve Cabernet-Syrah. The wine was fine, but what I like most about Becker is the breathtaking Hill Country scenery and lavender fields, as well as the impressive tasting room re-purposed from an 1800’s stone barn. It’s all quite charming.
Larry then spontaneously pulled off the road to take a few pictures of a field of wildflowers. Everyone had the same idea—there were cars turning off the highway left and right. 
Back on the road, we drove through Johnson City, whereupon we began a two-day obsession with Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson. Although we didn’t stop at the historic Texas White House (maybe next time), our road trip ponderings did fuel quite a bit of web research back at our hotel room, as well as the next day’s visit to the LBJ Library and Museum. Back at the hotel, Larry told me about the famous phone call of Lyndon B. Johnson ordering pants. It was horrifying to listen to and tainted my impression of LBJ forever. But even so, I did enjoy learning more about the Johnson’s experience in the White House. 
The highlight of the road trip was stopping for lunch at The Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, Texas. I had been there for dinner during my last trip to Texas, but was eager to get back and share the experience with Larry. I was starving, which we all know is the best way to begin the ultimate barbeque feast.
I opted for Thurman’s Choice, known on the menu as “the plate poppa always ate,” which includes brisket, pork ribs, and sausage, with sides of potato salad, cole slaw, beans, and bread, and pickles and onions on the side. Somehow we also found room for dessert—peach and blackberry cobbler. The meal was mouth-watering good, but even more than the food, I enjoyed the atmosphere—a giant open fire pit with meats a ’smokin, on an old Texas ranch with beautiful views of the surrounding rolling hills. Needless to say, I was rolling out of there myself. 
Back in Austin, we took a short break at the hotel before venturing out for dinner. For once I wasn’t really hungry, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try yet another Austin food cart. This time we headed to Torchy’s Tacos in the South Austin Trailer Park. I tried the Baja Shrimp Taco (hand-battered fried shrimp with cooked cabbage slaw topped with pickled jalapenos and onions, queso fresco, cilantro and a wedge of lime with chipotle sauce). It was one of the best tacos I’ve ever had, and wish my stomach would have been able to accommodate a few more samples. 
Our final destination of the day was to The Broken Spoke for Texas Two-Step lessons and live music from Americana singer/songwriter Jesse Dayton. It’s another place I had visited during my last Trip to Texas, but was eager to return to, especially since I now had a dance partner! Larry was a hesitant yet willing participant, and for that I give him major credit. The Broken Spoke is the ultimate Texas dance hall. It’s legendary. So is the woman who was our dance teacher, Terri White, the daughter of famed owners James and Annetta White. Although we certainly weren’t the best Texas two-steppers out on the dance floor (far from it), we got better as the night progressed, and had quite a bit of fun learning and trying. 



Our third day in Texas was spent entirely in the 







On day two, we hit the road for the 







And now for the full version of our trip…



















Larry and I are heading to Austin, Texas this week for Spring Break and I couldn’t be more excited. When I last visited Austin two years ago, I immediately fell in love with the city. So much so, that I routinely call it my second favorite city—if it weren’t for Madison, I’d be in Austin. And Larry’s never been, so I can’t wait to show him around.

























