A few reasons to fall in love with Texas

Excellent report- very glad you had fun.

Austin is a cool place to be, although I have become a bit soured because I am usually headed there lately to fuss over legislation. Like, this Friday!

Come to Texas often!
 
We really enjoyed our time in Texas (arrived a couple of days before ya'll did). We didn't make it to Austin like we planned, or the beach like we hoped, but there's always time for another trip. ;)

In fact, we liked it so much, I'll be job hunting down that direction this fall. :fcross:
 
SCCutler said:
Excellent report- very glad you had fun.

Austin is a cool place to be, although I have become a bit soured because I am usually headed there lately to fuss over legislation. Like, this Friday!
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You mean like this?:

sDay3-Capitol-InSession%203-09.jpg


Just LOOK at those legislators, holding a hearing to discuss the making of new laws for all of us to scoff at!

:goofy:
 
Great write-up Jay, and I'm glad you and the family enjoyed our state! You're welcome back any time!
 
County Line is good, but I liked the Salt Lick a bit better.

And another Austin special is Kerby Lane. Not a BBQ place, but a 24 hour restaurant. I've really only been to the one on Kerby Lane, though, and not it's splinters. Nice place. It's a big converted house, and back when I was last there for college, it served HUGE portions.

--Carlos V.
 
Unbeliever said:
County Line is good, but I liked the Salt Lick a bit better.

And another Austin special is Kerby Lane. Not a BBQ place, but a 24 hour restaurant. I've really only been to the one on Kerby Lane, though, and not it's splinters. Nice place. It's a big converted house, and back when I was last there for college, it served HUGE portions.

--Carlos V.
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It's hard to imagine better barbecue than the brisket I had at the County Line -- but I suppose anything is possible! Mary's ribs were a "9 out of 10" (she likes the BBQ sauce "stickier", but the flavor was awesome), and the view from up there was fantastic.

I suspect we'll be back -- so we'll have to try the Salt Lick next time...

:wink2:
 
The Salt Lick is a requirement anytime you're in Hill Country.

However, stay away from Austin on home football game weekends. You think Iowa City is busy/crazy? Nothin' compared to Austin.
 
BBQ really is subjective. There are plenty of great places around and they are all good in their own right. If you get a chance, go by Black's in Lockhart, South of Austin. They have really good brisket and they actually just started selling online and shipping. My sister in law sent us up one of their combination packs and it was as good as having it there. Just follow the instructions they send you.

If you are really falling in love with South Texas, then you need to get into Mexican food. You could say there are a plethora of restaurants, taco stands to choose from.
 
ScottPA said:
If you are really falling in love with South Texas, then you need to get into Mexican food. You could say there are a plethora of restaurants, taco stands to choose from.
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Iowa is home to many Mexicans. (A nearby town, West Liberty, has gone from a dying farm community to nearly 100% Mexican in the 12 years we've lived here.) As a result, we have some AWESOME Mexican restaurants in the area. The best one -- El Rancheros -- is a block from the hotel, so we eat there often.

That was one thing we found remarkable about Austin and Port Aransas -- there is an amazing LACK of hispanic people in general, and very few Mexican restaurants in evidence. Given the proximity to Mexico, this was probably the most surprising thing we found about the area.

Another observation: Up here, EVERYTHING is going "bi-lingual" -- from signs in supermarket aisles, to instructions on hotel-room doors. In Texas (well, the small areas we were able to explore in five days) nothing was bi-lingual. (Well, other than a Little Debbie's delivery van that had writing that was *only* in Spanish. Wait -- I guess that's not bi-lingual either...) Apparently Texans simply expect everyone to speak English?

I must admit, I found that refreshingly politically incorrect...

:wink2:
 
Wow, certainly not my experience growing up there or anytime I'm home to visit. Everything is bi-lingual in Corpus Christi, San Antonio and all points South, for that matter. You are correct about Port A and South Padre, as well. I can't explain it. Get off the barrier islands, though, and you are immersed in it again (ie., Corpus Christi, Port Isabel).

It never bothered me, heck, I might even be a little Mexican for all I know. I agree that there is a lot more widespread access to food, culture, etc now. Even here in suburbia Pittsburgh, we have a great new restaurant, Patron, that opened. They are from TN, go figure. That's where we go to get our fix. It's still not as good as Rosita's, Elva's, Taqueria _____ (fill in the blank, dozens), or any other number of restaurants in Corpus Christi, but it's the best we can find up here. I can't get them to serve breakfast, yet...
 
Thanks for the write-up, Jay! Just yesterday morning I was trying to figure out where your what-used-to-be-standard-RAP trip reports were these days. Just not patient enough. :arf:
 
catmandu said:
Thanks for the write-up, Jay! Just yesterday morning I was trying to figure out where your what-used-to-be-standard-RAP trip reports were these days. Just not patient enough. :arf:
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Yeah, I don't even bother to post over on Rec.aviation.piloting anymore. It's just not worth the abuse from a bunch of wannabe trolls.

It's sad. RAP was a great place to be, for a very long time.
 
murphey said:
The Salt Lick is a requirement anytime you're in Hill Country.

However, stay away from Austin on home football game weekends. You think Iowa City is busy/crazy? Nothin' compared to Austin.
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Cooper's BBQ in Llano beats Salt Lick.

As for the games... I don't care for the football but the FBO feeds pilots dang well while stuck there.
 
I like Austin. I could see myself living there, were it not for the heat and lack of snow. Not much good or bad to say about the rest of the state. Dallas, though, if I never set foot in that city I'll die a happy man. What a worthless metropolis that is.

The Hula Hut was fun.
 
flyersfan31 said:
I like Austin. I could see myself living there, were it not for the heat and lack of snow. Not much good or bad to say about the rest of the state. Dallas, though, if I never set foot in that city I'll die a happy man. What a worthless metropolis that is.

The Hula Hut was fun.
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Ya talking about Dallas or Atlanta? I'm not sure of the difference.
 
Jay Honeck said:
It's hard to imagine better barbecue than the brisket I had at the County Line -- but I suppose anything is possible! Mary's ribs were a "9 out of 10" (she likes the BBQ sauce "stickier", but the flavor was awesome), and the view from up there was fantastic.

I suspect we'll be back -- so we'll have to try the Salt Lick next time...

:wink2:
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Salt Lick is good - but bring cash (cash-only). It's better than County Line. There are a couple of great places in Lockhart, too.

My favorite places (living in San Antonio) were Rudy's and Busbee's (Busbee's in Bandera).
 
wsuffa said:
Salt Lick is good - but bring cash (cash-only). It's better than County Line. There are a couple of great places in Lockhart, too.
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Cash, hell, remember to bring beer too!
 
Jay Honeck said:
Another observation: Up here, EVERYTHING is going "bi-lingual" -- from signs in supermarket aisles, to instructions on hotel-room doors.
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Some neighborhoods near where I work bi-lingual means English in small print under the Arabic. Love that Flaffel...

But I like the Spanish option on all of the u-scan things at the big box stores. If the scale doesn't like the weight of something, or I have coupons or whatever needs the cashier assistance - the stuff telling _THEM_ what to do is in Spanish just because _I_ picked Spanish to begin with. Cracks me up. OK - it's not the nicest thing to do to a clueless cashier, but it is entertaining. I also suspect that somewhere someone is keeping track of "demographics" based on what language is picked. You gotta mess with that kind of system.
 
You guys have not tasted Texas BBQ until you try a few hole-in-the-wall places around Abeline. Salt Lick is too commercial.. heck.. they are out here in the casinos.

Now, I remember one place in Abeline called Joe Allens, and I've probably spelled the name wrong.
 
Yeah. The best barbecue is to be found in some little sleazy-looking roadside dive in the middle of nowhere. I'll happily eat at Rudy's, but that's merely very good instead of truly ****ing outstanding.
 
steingar said:
Damn straight. Don't want to be anywhere near all that.
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There's certainly a lot of "all of that" in Texas, but given the choice between Texas and Ohio, I'd take Texas any day. Ohio is about the boringest place on earth, except maybe Nebraska. :rofl:

Or maybe I just looooove me some smoked dead animals. :D
 
flyingcheesehead said:
There's certainly a lot of "all of that" in Texas, but given the choice between Texas and Ohio, I'd take Texas any day. Ohio is about the boringest place on earth, except maybe Nebraska. :rofl:

Or maybe I just looooove me some smoked dead animals. :D
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Over the course of my 50 years, I've learned that every state has great and wonderful things. Iowa is chock-full of terrific things to see and do, as is Ohio, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois -- and the entire upper Midwest. I've never visited a state that I didn't like.

Given this fact, there is really only one thing that differentiates one state from another: climate. After spending my life in Wisconsin and Iowa, I've grown weary of winter. Southern Texas -- especially Mustang Island -- seems to offer an optimal weather pattern, with one HUGE drawback: hurricanes. This is giving us pause, as we ponder the options before us.

On the other hand, since we've lived in Iowa we've experienced a tornado, ice storms, blizzards, and a 500 year flood that came within a few feet of wiping us out. So...are hurricanes really so bad?

:goofy:
 
Jay Honeck said:
Over the course of my 50 years, I've learned that every state has great and wonderful things. Iowa is chock-full of terrific things to see and do, as is Ohio, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois -- and the entire upper Midwest. I've never visited a state that I didn't like.

Given this fact, there is really only one thing that differentiates one state from another: climate. After spending my life in Wisconsin and Iowa, I've grown weary of winter. Southern Texas -- especially Mustang Island -- seems to offer an optimal weather pattern, with one HUGE drawback: hurricanes. This is giving us pause, as we ponder the options before us.

On the other hand, since we've lived in Iowa we've experienced a tornado, ice storms, blizzards, and a 500 year flood that came within a few feet of wiping us out. So...are hurricanes really so bad?

:goofy:
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Time to set up a hotel in San Diego or Key West?:cornut: (Okay still have sig chance of hurricane in the latter)
 
gprellwitz said:
Time to set up a hotel in San Diego or Key West?:cornut: (Okay still have sig chance of hurricane in the latter)
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And earthquake in the former!

Every place has their disasters. Up here, though, while tornados are probably the big one, they're relatively rare (I think the state of WI averages 11 per year) and they're also relatively small, so the chances of getting hit by one are extremely low.

And while winters can get old, we're at least equipped to deal with them. The rare inch of snow down south really messes things up! And winter reminds me to appreciate spring. Then, summer reminds me to appreciate winter! :rofl:
 
The tin building?

BillTIZ said:
You guys have not tasted Texas BBQ until you try a few hole-in-the-wall places around Abeline. Salt Lick is too commercial.. heck.. they are out here in the casinos.

Now, I remember one place in Abeline called Joe Allens, and I've probably spelled the name wrong.
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State Income Tax is the tiebreaker for quite a few transplants.

flyingcheesehead said:
And earthquake in the former!

Every place has their disasters. Up here, though, while tornados are probably the big one, they're relatively rare (I think the state of WI averages 11 per year) and they're also relatively small, so the chances of getting hit by one are extremely low.

And while winters can get old, we're at least equipped to deal with them. The rare inch of snow down south really messes things up! And winter reminds me to appreciate spring. Then, summer reminds me to appreciate winter! :rofl:
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Jay Honeck said:
Given this fact, there is really only one thing that differentiates one state from another: climate. After spending my life in Wisconsin and Iowa, I've grown weary of winter. Southern Texas -- especially Mustang Island -- seems to offer an optimal weather pattern, with one HUGE drawback: hurricanes. This is giving us pause, as we ponder the options before us.
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I agree. For me, my ideal spot has to have 4 seasons. TX just gets too doggone hot for me. If I'm going to err, I'll err on the side of cool. That's why VT gets my vote.

Hurricanes are tricky. If your house is built to Outer Banks code, you keep yourself well prepared, and evacuate promptly, they shouldn't be more than a periodic inconvenience.

Pick an area, any area, and you'll have some nasty climactic thing to deal with on occasion.
 
flyersfan31 said:
I agree. For me, my ideal spot has to have 4 seasons. TX just gets too doggone hot for me. If I'm going to err, I'll err on the side of cool. That's why VT gets my vote.
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While I love spring, and fall has its charm (although, as a harbinger of what's to come, it's depressing), I've come to despise winter. I used to enjoy cross country skiing, but for ten years we didn't get enough consistent snow here in Iowa to ski. Now, the last two (incredibly brutal) winters we've had plenty of snow -- but I'm not in good enough shape to do the hills anymore. (Yes, there *are* hills in Iowa -- big ones, too, in the areas with groomed x-country trails.)

Last year was the killer for me. The snow pile across from my business didn't melt until June 16th -- and that only happened because of the big flood. We had to shovel every, single day from Thanksgiving until March 1st -- every DAY. With four big parking lots, sidewalks, and 700 linear feet of balconies to shovel, you know it got old really quickly. Then we spent most of May and June sand-bagging, watching the waters rise, destroying everything in its path. (It luckily stopped just short of our hotel entrance.)

This past winter has been somewhat less severe, but we're STILL trapped inside every day, unable to enjoy outdoor activities without bundling up. It's 35 degrees as I'm writing this -- on April 4th -- and there's a big snow storm tracking through Iowa later today.

I've never seen a hurricane, but I've seen everything else -- including a tornado. (One blew off part of our roof in 2006, and destroyed several nearby businesses.) Quite frankly, if I'm going to put up with crazy weather, I want it to be in an area where sweatshirts are considered to be "winter gear". I'm ready for some year-'round sunshine and warmth...

Now, it's just a matter of finding something to *do* down that-away. Gotta find an old fixer-upper hotel that we can convert into the aviation theme. If y'all spot one, let me know!

:wink2:
 
I hear you brother!! Here's the thing: your problem is you picked the wrong place for winter. That wind blows COOOOOLD across the plains!!!!!!!! :cornut:
 
flyersfan31 said:
I hear you brother!! Here's the thing: your problem is you picked the wrong place for winter. That wind blows COOOOOLD across the plains!!!!!!!! :cornut:
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And the National Weather Service has just issued a Winter Storm Watch for our part of Iowa. It's a "Warning" just a bit North -- and a "Blizzard Warning" just a bit North of that.

Welcome to spring -- NOT.

:confused:
 
Jay Honeck said:
And the National Weather Service has just issued a Winter Storm Watch for our part of Iowa. It's a "Warning" just a bit North -- and a "Blizzard Warning" just a bit North of that.
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It's a winter storm warning here.

You can blame me...I put the wheel pants back on the Zodiac a couple of weeks ago.
 
Jay Honeck said:
I want it to be in an area where sweatshirts are considered to be "winter gear". I'm ready for some year-'round sunshine and warmth...
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Not to burst yer bubble er nothin' but you'll get cold on the gulf. It'll take a season or two but before long you'll be agreeing with the locals that 50 degrees is cold. BTDT, got the jacket.

If ya wanta enjoy Iowa winters again move north for a couple years...:devil:
 
flyersfan31 said:
I agree. For me, my ideal spot has to have 4 seasons. TX just gets too doggone hot for me. If I'm going to err, I'll err on the side of cool. That's why VT gets my vote.
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I agree, although I can't speak for VT since I haven't spent much time there. My ideal spot needs to have mountains, big water, or both.
 
flyersfan31 said:
Cash, hell, remember to bring beer too!
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Yeah, I forgot to mention that when I recommended the Salt Lick. It's far enough West of Austin that it is in another county. A "Damp" county, unfortunately. So it is BYOB.

It's amusing to see a pickup full of people get out and pull a Keg out of the bed and roll it to their picnic table.

Not so amusing to realize an hour later that they finished it.

--Carlos V.
 
Unbeliever said:
Yeah, I forgot to mention that when I recommended the Salt Lick. It's far enough West of Austin that it is in another county. A "Damp" county, unfortunately. So it is BYOB.

It's amusing to see a pickup full of people get out and pull a Keg out of the bed and roll it to their picnic table.

Not so amusing to realize an hour later that they finished it.

--Carlos V.
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Last time I was there we made a quick $10 selling our last 6pack to someone in the parking lot who had forgotten to bring beer, and saw us hauling our cooler out.
 
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