The welcoming arms of Texas

So... here we are. We spent most of yesterday in the car. I have tried a local restaurant we saw on TV and slept in a hostel. So far Austin seems cool. There are listings all over the hostel for local activities, information about bus lines and reminders to recycle, recycle, recycle. As we inched closer to our first stop Dustin was regularly commenting about this was the farthest west he had ever been ... no wait, *this spot* is the farthest and so on. We are going to have a spectacular time and ignore the fact that it is raining today.

Dustin seems to enjoy all the space and "so many hills."


For dinner we tried the Magnolia Cafe. We saw this place on the Food Network on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, probably Dustin's favorite show. It definitely has personality and some unusual menu items. What other tiny, 24-hour place offers acorn squash and curry vegetables?





The HI-Austin hostel is much larger and nicer than I
anticipated. Dustin voiced concerns that it would be
tiny and dirty, but it's quite nice. The shared bedroom thing is weird and it has very dorm-like bathroom facilities. All said, it's pretty nice for $25 a night.

Sorry to note I have no photos of them but all of the highway overpasses have an alternating pattern of stars and outlines of Texas. Now that is state pride.