Fan Fest III

How to have a fun night in Austin with a bit of an international theme:

Park at the State Capitol at around sunset and take a leisurely stroll through the grounds.
Walk to Sixth Street in the gorgeous weather we are now experiencing.
Check out the art and activities of the Fan Fest for the Circuit of the Americas.
Walk to the far end of Sixth Street and get an Orange Cream Italian Water-Ice at Jim Jim’s.
Walk all over the downtown area to work up an appetite and admire some of the awesome cars in town.
Have crepes for dinner on the outdoor patio at Cafe Crepe.
Return to the Fan Fest to catch the Flying Balalaika Brothers play another fantastic show.
Call it a night with tiny experiences of Texas, Italy, France, Russia, and the Ukraine to spur your dreams.

Wild Texas Short Films

Last night, I arrived at Stanley’s Farmhouse in Austin at sunset. My mission was to enjoy a few short films being screened by Ben Masters. The sun lit up the clouds in bright orange just over the trees of the farm. I found the pavilion and pizza restaurant where the screening was taking place, and took a few photos before enjoying the films. The most publicized film was called Pronghorn Revival, and was about relocating Pronghorns to ranches near Marfa Texas. My favorite film of the night was called A Backcountry Recovery, and was a story about how horses and a 1,000 mile long horse trip brought meaning into the life of Ray Knell, a Green Beret and Afghanistan war veteran. His goal was to use animals, nature, and physical activity to inspire other veterans to find help with the affects of PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. These films made for a great evening at a small piece of a working Texas ranch.

“Life is very, very short. It’s up to you to fill the book of life with beautiful and interesting chapters.” – Veteran Ray Knell

Tears of Joy

Oct20

Tears of Joy is a pretty cool shop on Sixth Street in Austin. I visited with a friend this afternoon, and we selected the “Evil Cowboy” hot sauce for another friend of ours who loves to taste very hot sauces. Now we just need to get some tacos for our taste test. Check out the shop if you find yourself in Austin.

Pietzsch Street Church

Oct19

This old church is in such a state of disrepair that it makes you want to cry. Some windows are busted out and covered with plywood. Some of the roof shingles have fallen off. It is surrounded by thick bushes and flying insects. You can’t even get close to the front entryway. I am hoping that someone will want to restore it to glory.

Come Walk with Me

Oct18

It is a relatively cool evening as the sun begins to set in Bartlett Texas. The town is mostly vacant, except for a few cars and trucks. Most of the shops have been boarded up with the exception of a couple of restaurants and antique stores. People have purchased or leased some of the downtown buildings to serve as their homes. The brick paved streets speak of another time. The town’s history indicates wealth from the cotton and railroad industries. Come and see some of the sights as I walk through this unique and interesting town.

Half Full

Oct17

Catching a parking lot sunset at Starbucks and drinking iced green tea on a lovely evening in Central Texas.

Overlook

Oct16

I went for a short hike at sunset today. There were plenty of yellow wildflowers and beautiful purple skies.

NLand Surf Park

Oct15

Just when you thought Austin couldn’t get any cooler, along comes NLand Surf Park. The technology involved is amazing to watch. A company called Wavegarden has developed an underwater “snow shovel” that is pulled along the length of a 14-acre lagoon. Near perfect waves pop up on either side of the pier allowing up to 120 surfers to enjoy the surf at their particular skill level. The surf park has a sandy beach, a gift shop, a juice bar, a restaurant, and a nice deck to view the action. It is located about 10 minutes from the airport and collects rainwater to fill the lagoon. Now I just need to learn how to surf.

Moonlight Adventure

Oct14

You know the kind. Those nights when you think you are cool and can search around the local church building for some eerie photo opportunities. The moon is shining brightly at first and then it seeks cover behind a blanket of clouds. You walk out to the cemetery behind the church, and then your nerves kick in, even though you are still on the paved road, but very alone. Every nighttime sound is a horror waiting to happen. Your pace quickens as you return to the parking lot for one more photo and then a quick escape to the familiarity and comfort of your vehicle. Whew! That was exciting!

Butterfly Swarm

Oct13

There was a small swarm of Monarch butterflies in the community garden this afternoon. They are migrating south to escape the cold weather. There were so many that they often had to share the purple blossoms that they enjoy so much. Photography is challenging, as they move so fast and the blossoms sway in the wind. The reward is to capture just the right image to share with everyone. Enjoy!

earthrobert

Monthly Archives: October 2016