And off to Austin we go… Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the world so we were quite excited. What we didn’t know is that it also has become a major tech hub, with continued expansion from companies like Apple, Dell, Oracle, IBM, Samsung, and Tesla making the expansion rate here incredible. Even though they say it has slowed in the last couple of years it didn’t feel that way. The construction work and detours were outrageous making driving even a block from your first RV spot crazy, but we will as you will see figure it out.

So arriving on the 19th of November our first stop was Lonestar RV where we will make our home for 3 nights. This was a very nice-sized RV resort with quite a few long-term tenants but also great for the couple-day getaway RV’ers like us. It had great laundry amenities (something I always look forward to in an RV resort). We checked in set up took the dogs for a jaunt and sussed out the area. Dog park – handy, non-heated pool – not so handy, amazon delivery options – very handy.

The Brewery

On the drive in we noticed a large brewery just a block down the street. It was called Fast Friends Brewery and I knew we were soon to be just that. We decided to give this place a go. What’s the worst that could happen? So a block away meant a 5-minute drive up the road, making a U-turn, then driving 10 minutes back in the other direction past the Brewery, then a U-turn and back a block to the bar. Please god don’t let us miss our turn or we will be doing this all again. Wow, we made it and I remember saying, “This better be worth it.” – I didn’t say that. Come on, there is beer here it was worth it. So this brewery was pretty amazing and of course, dog-friendly so outside on their balcony we went. I won’t bore anyone with the details of the beer. It was good. Not amazing but it was good. Now the food… we struggled for some time trying to get their ordering system to accept our order .. Canadian addresses and phone numbers blah blah blah..but for what they may have lacked in the hops they made up for tenfold in their pizza. Who knew? It was amazing and well worth the visit. As a final nod right across the street from the brewery was a very good-sized fenced dog park that was also enjoyed,

The People

We were fortunate to run into a few locals one being Aaron who was a permanent resident in the RV resort. Aaron gave us a quick workaround for the multiple U-turns and road construction. This was helpful for excursions moving forward. He (as well as a good friend from back home) had given us the tip to visit South Congress which wasn’t far from us. Even closer now that we had the local insights on road repair maneuvering. So thanks to Aaron, and mostly, thanks to Darrell back home, we made our way out to South Congress Avenue.

The Music

South Congress Avenue was everything we were told it would be. Music and food venues all up a several-mile strip that worked its way to downtown Austin. We were advised to stay away from downtown as there was a big game on and it would be very messy after 10-ish. We left the dogs in the RV and headed out to check out the scene. We made it to the well-renowned Continental which was just as Darrell described, very similar to Buds (on Broadway) in style, with a more country vibe. It was a great venue, but unfortunately, the performer that played that night was not brilliant. As characters they were brilliant, but the music mixed with the lead being somewhat unaware that anyone was there to be entertained left a lot to be desired. The drummer – probably the only member who didn’t jump out at you. The lead guitarist – great on the guitar but I think he smoked, ate, sniffed and drank his weight in everything he could before his aunt dressed him to go out for band practice. I’m not being judgey, I’m just t trying to paint the picture. The bassist – my favourite. Cross Doc from Back to the Future, with Jim Buddy, then add twenty years. He came across like he was a fill-in and was amazing on the bass but was as surprised and as uncomfortable with the lead singer as the rest of us. The lead singer, seemed normal enough at first then the music started. Clean cut, average weight, if he wasn’t on stage I could see him changing my tires or doing my taxes. I don’t mean one way or the other he would be serving me… You guys go too far. I just meant he was an odd man out of this motley crew. Anyway, he loved his guitar licks and found a way to add them into even the ballads he played. He faced the bass player for 90% of the stage play, and kind of walked like Rain Man, back and forth until their noses almost touched. Like a Seinfeld close talker, but with guitars. Like I say we weren’t the only uncomfortable ones in the crowd. But I digress enough about them, it was entertaining and the atmosphere was fantastic. The music did get quite a bit better as we left. The music as we walked the street from each venue was great as well, but we cut this visit short as it was the first time we left the dogs alone for any significant time without being less than 10 minutes away.

Off to the second stay…

Pecan Grove Rv Resort

Again this was given to us by Darell from Back home. Pecan Grove – you could literally not beat the location or the price of this place. Located in downtown Austin, close to iconic restaurants and Zilker Park it was an amazing stop for us. We thought it was a bit high priced for what you go in this old mostly unattended to RV park, but after the first walk around we saw the appeal. It’s all about location. This place has everything you need in a short walk. A food truck picnic area complete with a dispensary truck for those in need (there was a lot of needy people), and an Italian restaurant called Juliet’s to the other side. We are told that Matthew McConaughey used to have a trailer in this park but unfortunately, that was before covid. So no Visit with Matt but that’s all right, all right, all right. (come on, you were thinking it).

The River

Not far away we were able to walk to the river bank and found the springs and a beach area, stopped for banana foster gelato and pup popsicles for the dogs on the way home. We noticed they did canoe rentals and decided to make this our last-day adventure. With dogs on blankets, we managed to canoe the Colorado River in the heart of Austin. See pictures. Turtles galore and a few more needy people that visited the food truck (wink wink) All in all the river bank area and paddle were quite a highlight. The weather was amazing and the water was like glass. We photoshopped our life jackets off to show off our shirts a bit more, but just now we practiced safe canoeing.

The Brewery

What? This must be a typo we did brewery all already… but get this there were two. Shut up we like them. Anyway, this brewery was downtown across the river and known as the Holdout, next to a coffee shop called The Better Half (owned by a divorced couple). Very clever. Not getting divorced, the name of the two businesses. Again you guys take it too far. So anyway this was an evening visit if 5:00 is evening and the dogs were well behaved as always. This brewery had a great outdoor vibe, mostly cause we were outside and it was great. The beer – this has probably been the best Hazy IPA of the trip. I am looking forward to someone else taking over as leader but not many have come close thus far. As a tip of the hat, this one (for me) brings me home to Pile of Bones Cosmic Celebration. I know Regina isn’t my home but this beer gets drank a fair bit in mine so that works. The beer was called Liquid Television and they had two variations both tasting amazing. I may or may not have brought a few to go, but you will never prove it.  The food: we only had a snack here so it’s hard to say how the food is. The chips and queso were good, but we saw a lot of amazing-looking burgers so I would suggest ordering beyond our selection.

The Music

Well, why not one more trip to South Congress Avenue for another taste of Austin? We strolled the whole street and stopped for a beer and margaritas at Guero’s taco bar. The people here were very friendly the dogs are always a good icebreaker. Sure you can pet the dogs just not the one in the red with Tracy’s finger hanging out of his mouth. We sat for a drink and listened to the band in this outdoor venue and it was night and day over the first band. We also met a singer in her 80s who Tracy swears is the future Karen.

It seemed like a whirlwind tour of a place with so much to offer. I think Austin would be worth another visit. Maybe once without the dogs so we can get a better experience of the music venues. That said, Austin definitely didn’t disappoint!

A Scenic Canoe Ride.     The Band.