Sunny and I headed out on a somewhat questionable (due to her hind legs) adventure to Mt. Bonnell which is the highest point in the City of Austin. The reviews indicated there are some steps to the top then a sloping path back down. When we arrived and started up the steps, Sunny was sort of hoping with her hind legs together pushing her rear end up to the next level. Looked a little funny but worked for her. A few steps up she went to the slope along the side of the steps and made her way more gracefully for a ways. There were probably 200 steps so a few times she came back onto them and did fine. At the top the views were spectacular. There is a smaller, slightly lower observation are from which you can see in opposite direction. The path to this had a few steps and many relatively large steps on natural stones. Sunny decided to show off her agility going up and down them. She did surprisingly well. We took a water break to cool down back at the top before walking the longer, sloping path back to the parking area. Of course after all the exercise, she had to take a dump on the path on the way down… Always finding the best places she is.
We made our way across Austin to find the Texas State Cemetery. Parking was challenging and since sunny was with me (and I’m not about to let her walk around in a state cemetery) we drove through stopping to walk to specific makers of interest. The only other car that came through while I was there was a State Trooper. Although not as large as I had imagined, the cemetery had some impressive monuments and a large civil war veteran section. There are at least two veterans of the Revolutionary War buried here. Also there is a 9-11 tribute with actual steel from the twin towers.
After taking Sunny back, I went to a place called Hills Café for dinner before heading downtown to wander. Earlier on our way out of town I saw a parking lot which I wanted to go back to. Unfortunately it was full and I got routed into the party area due to closed and one way streets. It was pretty much grid lock for 20 minutes or so before I was able to score a parking space for $10 in a ramp.
The biggest name band I heard while in Austin was Cheap Trick. They were playing by the river at large outdoor area for free. Also by the river was a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn which I wanted to see so I walked that way. By wandering along the river trail, I was able to get behind the stage and see the band briefly. Talked to a former Michigander who moved to Austin 19 years ago and loves it. He pointed me in the direction f the SRV tribute by the river. It is a life size bronze statue of him standing and leaning on guitar facing south. On the ground behind him is a metal cutout ‘shadow’ of the statue except in the ‘shadow’ SRV is playing the guitar. It was too dark to get any quality photos…
Wandered the streets for a while taking in the sights and sounds before finding the truck and navigating out of downtown.
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