Classic Cars in Lebanon, TN

As we left Nashville, we saw a sign for a Classic Cars museum in Lebanon, TN.  I think it was actually labeled a "muscle car museum."  In retrospect, we went so you don't have to.  I took pictures of the two Mopar cars.

Nashville in June

Although we have no pictures to prove it, we stopped in Nashville overnight on the trip back to Roanoke. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, which was excellent; close enough to walk where we wanted to go. We spent several hours in the Country Music Hall of Fame, which we liked as well as, and possibly more than, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.  Both are worth visiting, and don't scrimp on time. We also spend an evening at a honky tonk bar listening to classic country music (beware that most bars feature newer-style music).  We also walked by the river that flooded a year or so ago.  A good place to visit.

Austin to Roanoke

We took a few days to drive from Austin to Roanoke, stopping along the way at a few places we wanted to see.  Stop No. 1 was Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, in the heart of Cajun music country.

We spend much of a Sunday afternoon at La Poussiere, which was indeed an authentic Cajun dancehall that catered to locals and a couple of novice Texans.  Outside, a very unadorned square building with a sign.  Inside, the layout was much like the Broken Spoke:  a bandstand at one end with a large dance floor in front of it, and tables and chairs on either side of the dance floor.  Rollicking good music.

Then, at dinnertime, we went to Mulates restaurant, which had similar music, but is built and priced for tourists.  Both places had good bands and prominent steel guitar players.  Surprise!

Karen visits Austin

Karen was in Austin for a short 2-day visit, sharing time with Jane (and her family) and with us. We covered a lot of ground: visited and bought barbecue at both Smitty’s and Black’s in Lockhart, went to the Broken Spoke, took the kids swimming, had a nice view of Lake Travis from a table at the Iguana Grill, went on a tour of the Collings Guitar factory, played five-handed hearts, and visited two Texas State Parks: Pedernales Falls and McKinney Falls. Imagine what we could do with four days!

We took a few pictures:

Swimming

Collings Guitars – the guide said this guitar, when finished, would cost about $10,000. And that it was underpriced; considering the amount of manual labor and the competitors’ prices for similar products, it should be priced at about $17,000.

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At McKinney Falls on a hot Saturday afternoon, there were quite a few swimmers.

Visit Pedernales Falls State Park

This morning we went to Pedernales Falls State Park, about 45 minutes west of Austin. In much of the park, you can walk near or along the river, but there is a $500 fine for wading or swimming in the river. In a calmer portion of the park/river, swimming and wading are permitted. These two pictures are from the no-wading portion.

Austin Table Tennis Club

When I retired I started playing ping-pong (aka table tennis) seriously. Austin has a nice club that has 16 tables and is open several days each week. If you play - seriously - and want to play me in Austin or Roanoke, feel free to contact me.

Memorial Day Picnic

On May 31 we had a picnic dinner with Jane, Eric, Ben, and Mary.

It was in a park just south of the Mansfield dam. The park was near the lake/river, and had picnic tables, a playground, a wandering dog, and flies aplenty. They all had a good time, as did the humans.