As promised, we did little but goof off today. We slept late. Susan’s reaction to birds in the morning is much the same as her reaction to loud diesel trucks in the middle of the night. Birds apparently being harder to intimidate than young men driving loud trucks, we got up.
We figured to stop by a local bike shop and have some adjustments done on Delta’s front derailleur before catching lunch. It was chattering against the chain at the top and bottom end of the cassette’s gear range. I had noticed that the micro-trim adjustment wasn’t functioning at all. So, off to Bike World on Lamar Avenue we went. Once again, very nice people. Told us to go have some lunch and they’d have it done when we got back. They did - and for only $25. And speaking of lunch...
We tried to get some BBQ last nite at Black’s BBQ just a half mile away. The line was out the door, off the property and down the street - crazy. We demurred. Playing the thinking man’s game we elected to go back for lunch today. When we made it there shortly before noon, the line was out the door but still on the property. We stayed. 25 minutes later we were eating BBQ brisket sandwiches. Very good. While in line we chatted up a couple from Manhattan (no not that one - New York) who had flown down to meet friends and watch some professional golf tournament, but what with it being so cold and windy they decided to skip the golf and try the BBQ. They were very nice and when they learned of The Thin Blue Ride asked lots of questions. At first they thought when I said “bike” I meant motorcycle. Susan disabused them of that notion. This was followed immediately by “Are you crazy?” As it happens the answer to this question is yes, but it has been a life long affliction and has nothing to do with bicycles.
Looking at tomorrow’s temperatures, I anticipate a late start. I didn’t come down here to ride in the cold. I can do that in Kansas. Well - OK - I’m gonna be riding in the cold tomorrow regardless. But we’re at least gonna let it hit 50 before the first pedal stroke. That should be around 1100. So it looks like the birds will get a chance to redeem themselves tomorrow morning.
Anyway, let the promised cheesey tourist pics commence...
Apparently all the really good BBQ places have an entirely separate building with smoke pouring out the top. And we solicited a random UT student to take our pic under the sign.
This is on the grounds of the state capital in Austin. C'mon - really? I know that in today's world as soon as firefighters sees a camera, one of them is designated as the "kid grabber" for the photo op. Really, I never see a picture of a firefighter that isn't holding a kid or a kitty - but in the 1870s? How does that work? Artist -"Hey, we need a fire fighter to stand still while we do all the stuff we do to be able to cast him in bronze." (Firefighter grabs kid?) I can't imagine that's a quick process. How long can those guys keep a whiney toddler compliant? Not that I'm bitter or anything...
I'll grant Texans this: their state capital is fairly impressive. I think its all red granite. The structure in the foreground goes down three stories.
And when we walked up to the edge, this was going on down there...
This one is from under the pedestrian bridge from "our" side of the river looking North toward downtown.
Just to prove we were actually there...
Where's Waldo now?
Cheesey tourists love this kinda shot...
The iconic UT tower. Google it for the details.
So I'm standing there minding my own business on the state capital grounds and this happens... BTW - the Chinese tourists think I'm hilarious. Apparently word has gotten that far. I expect the Chinese internet censors to edit me out of existence shortly.
So - there ya have it. If these don't constitute cheesey tourist pics, I don't know what does.
Well - OK. IF the other's don't qualify I'm sure this one does...
Till next time.
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