Congress Avenue Bridge

Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge is home to the largest urban bat colony in the world. In the summer, when they’re residing in Austin, there are more bats than human residents of Austin – over a million!

They come out at dusk to feed on bugs. Each bat will eat its body-weight in bugs every night. Nice little guys to have around!

Fredericksburg, Texas - cool western town

dog-run-style pioneer home in New Braunfels

small pioneer home, Fredericksburg

a mansion, by pioneer standards

Nimitz Hotel, Fredericksburg

Texans love their dance halls!

Round trip from Austin to Fredericksburg to New Braunfels to Gruene to Austin.

And this is within Austin city limits…

Here's where we parked: a very peaceful spot!

The line started at 6:00 this morning. They open at 11:00.

We arrived at 8:00, and were about 80th or so in line.

Secret to waiting: make a party of it!

Waiting...

...and waiting some more...

They're open until the food's gone, only a matter of hours.

Finally we're in! The menu.

The food! (1:30)

You know this is a cool place when the Fonz shows up!

Franklin’s is the most popular BBQ experience in Austin, and there are many. They open at 11:00, and serve food until they run out – which is often a matter of a few hours. People start to line up outside the door around 6:00. Waiting in line has become an Austin institution.

Blues on the Green in Zilker Park

Every trip to Austin should include at least one live music event.