Austin Trip Highlights

* We saw a Coral Snake in my brother-in-law's front yard and Eastern Rat Snake in Zilker Park.

* We went to Sixth Street and saw Ester's Follies. Great fun. I really enjoyed the audio experience provided by the bars we passed as we strolled down the street after the show was over. Each bar had a live band and the sounds all overlapped one another.

* Stopped in at the Driskill Hotel (hotel photos here) and then took a carriage ride through the Warehouse District.

* We took a long walk down Town Lake Trail on the day of the Peace Officer's Memorial Parade. We were lucky enough to find the Austin Police Pipe and Drum Corp practicing for their part in the parade.

*While on the trail we stumbled across the Opossum Temple and Voodoo Pew on the north bank of Shoal Creek. The Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog describes it so:

Title: Opossum Temple and Voodoo Pew, (sculpture).
Other Titles: Voodoo Pew, (sculpture).
Dates: 1993.
Medium: Iron, cast concrete, stone.
Dimensions: 2 units. Opossum Temple: approx. H. 10 ft. x W. 30 ft.; Voodoo Pew: approx. 3 ft. 10 in. x 8 ft. 3 in. x 2 ft. 6 in.
Inscription: (On back of Voodoo Pew) T. Paul Hernandez 93 (On back of Voodoo Pew, bottom right:) Voodoo Pew signed
Description: Site installation consisting of a gazebo entitled "The Opossum Temple" and a bench inside the gazebo entitled "Voodoo Pew". The gazebo is a metal structure supported by eight posts which create arched entrances on all four sides. The top of the structure is formed by parallel and perpendicular metal strips, creating an open-aired "roof". Above the three main entryways and at certain places of the open ceiling, are areas inset with thin sheets of metal with abstract floral patterns cut out. Inside the structure is a rust-colored concrete bench placed against a pre-existing rear rock wall. The bench is shaped like a church pew. The arm rests of the bench are cast to resemble pieces of alligator skin. The top of the ends of the bench, and parts of the center, are "worn" and reveal an interior filled with crawfish.

* We wandered under the Congress Avenue Bridge to see if we could get a glimpse of the world famous bats. Did not see even one. No surprise since it was 11:30 in the morning.

* We did what every visitor to Austin must do and drove out to the The Salt Lick Restaurant for true Texas BBQ.