Traveling to Austin, TX

SolaresLarrave · 07-01-2006

Dear Folks,

Again... I'll be boarding a plane this Wednesday, and it'll take me to the city of Austin on a work-related trip (I'll be browsing, copying and reading stuff in the Collection of Latin American newspapers at the U of TX Library in Austin). Chances are that between 9 AM and 5 PM, I'll be sitting in front of a microfilm reader, but then, afterwards... what's there to do?

I've learned about the bats by the Colorado River.

I've located a couple of places where there'll be concerts during my stay (from July 5th to the 15th)

I know the campus is big

I've read about 6th Avenue (or is it Street) being a hot spot of restaurants and bars

Now... what can one do on weekends there? I'll spend one in Austin and was thinking about probably renting a car to go places, or simply use the public transportation system to go see a movie, walk down the city. I'm simply looking for photo-ops to show my wife (she's kinda pleased with my slides/snapshots from Germany).

BTW, I'm packing m Leicas, one with a permanentely affixed Konica 35/2, the other attached to my Elmarit 28/2.8, and two 'cron lenses (50 & 90), along with an Elmarit 135/2.8. I intend to shoot Ektachrome 100/Kodachrome 64... and Scala (of course!).

Thanks in advance for your advice!

BTW, isn't Solinar in Austin?

Solinar · 07-01-2006

Bienvenidos a Austin! Buenos suertes con sus investigaciones en la biblioteca Nettie Lee Benson.

Well, if you are visiting ILAS during the summer, wear shorts. Sid Richardson Hall is near the freeway and the center of campus is nearly a kilometer away.

I work on campus and will be glad to give you a 50 cent tour.

Drop me a line. My email is yue (at) physics (dot) utexas (dot) edu

Todd.Hanz · 07-01-2006

Francisico,
I'm leaving for Alaska then or I'd meet you there. Austin is a great city, warm this time of year but very laid back. Get your fill of Texas BBQ and some Shiner Bock Beer.

Downtown is sleepy on the weekends but comes alive at night, you can take the "Duck Tour" of the city (in an amphibious vehicle) or tour the state capitial, the grounds are good for a few pics (see below).

Have fun, wish I was in state to take you on a better guided tour, anyway, "Welcome to Texas!"

Todd

SolaresLarrave · 07-01-2006

Great shot, Todd! I though you were in Houston...

Andrew, I'll send you a note later (wife's making lunch right now). Thanks for solving the wardrobe dilemma, though. I was planning on taking a couple of pants on account of the air-conditioned premises I may be in, but I'll add a few shorts to the mix. Illinois, usually warm at this time of the year, has been remarkably confortable (never above the 90s mark).

Keep them coming! I want to know about this city. All the stuff you find on the web makes it look like an exciting place.

BTW, this will be my first Texan sojourn.

bob cole · 07-01-2006

[quote=SolaresLarrave]

Thanks in advance for your advice!

__________________________________________________ _____

SolaresLarrave...when you see the University of Texas Tower, you'll know you're close to the UT Campus...You may have heard that some years ago a disturbed individual climbed to the top of the Tower with a rifle and began shooting people...It took considerable time to subdue [and I believe] kill him after he did plenty of damage...The Tower at night is colored bright orange when the Texas Longhorns [football team] wins a game...[ the school colors are orange and white]...buena suerte en Austin...hay montones de estudiantes latinos de todas partes de latinoamerica...como ya te dijeron, hay muy buen barbecue de res en austin... Todo lo que hay que hacer es preguntar...bob cole -UT '47.

http://www.austinpanoramas.com/UT_Tower.html

johne · 07-01-2006

UT Library is awesome! Check the Latin American Institute also. I spent one summer there and loved it [thanks to the Ford Foundation]. Enjoy Austin City limits while there.
Regards,
Johne

David Murphy · 07-01-2006

Austin is a very pleasant city to visit -- a little hot in the summer -- but fun nevertheless

Diggin99 · 07-01-2006

When I visit Austin I always like to make a little side trip to the town of Gruene, Texas. It has an old store, built in 1878 and an old Music Hall (Texas oldest dance hall), built in the 1880's. It can be kind of touristy but I love to go have lunch at a wonderful restaurant called the Gristmill...in an old Mill and overlooking the river. But its about 40 miles from Austin...

http://www.gruenetexas.com/

Here are some picts from my last trip...
http://diggin99.smugmug.com/gallery/1550094

Nancy

SolaresLarrave · 07-01-2006

Wow... It seems I did luck out with Austin!

See, when I applied for the funds, I had in mind going to the Library of Congress AND Austin. Later, when I checked some details, it turned out that the trip to Austin would be immensely more convenient and productive, so I made my choice and booked a flight to TX.

Thanks a big lot for your kind advice!

And I'll do my best to go to Gruene, Nancy. It sounds like fun...

Todd.Hanz · 07-01-2006

Yeah, I'm in Houston but I have family all around Austin and I get up there about every other weekend, it's only about a 2hr drive.

Austin is alot like a college town for adults, you'll love it

. If you get a chance try and eat at "Rudys" or "Stubbs" BBQ, you'll never look at BBQ the same again

Todd

Solinar · 07-01-2006

Houstonians come here, then eat all our BBQ and Mexican food. What do you all eat at home?

There is always Sam's on 11th and Poquito St. - East Austin - never mind the flies. For non BBQ there is Hoovers on Manor Rd and Comal for that classic "Southern" home cookin. My favorite for traditional Tex-Mex is El Azteca on East 7th, between Webberville Rd and Pleasant Valley. There is excellent photographic possibilities at both Sam's and El Azteca.

Todd.Hanz · 07-01-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solinar

Houstonians come here, then eat all our BBQ and Mexican food. What do you all eat at home?

I am more of a Round Rock/ Elgin local than a Houstonian, My G-maw owned a restaurant there in the mid 60's where I was raised. In Houston we eat Luthers and Pappas BBQ, I come up to get Elgin Sausage at Myers every couple weekends.

I love Austin!

Todd

SolaresLarrave · 07-01-2006

I have to print this thread...

Thanks again, guys! Let's see how much work I can do in between photo-ops.

Now... this question may sound excessively dumb but... I know about Precision Camera. Is there another place besides this one to go and browse Leica/Nikon stuff?

Todd.Hanz · 07-01-2006

Camera Co-op Austin may have some Leica gear to browse, check 'em out: http://www.cameraco-op.com/

Edit: In H-town Camera Co-op has a good bit of Leica gear, the Austin site seems a little low

, nevertheless it's worth a look!

Todd

smiling gecko · 07-01-2006

...ola francisco,

bienvenidos a austin uno mas tiempo...i live about 12 miles/22 kilometers north of austin - in pflugerville. let me know if i can help show you around the area. i'll send you my telephone number via pm in the event you would like to get in touch.

take care, kenneth
_______________________

"...patience and shuffle the cards..." miguel cervantes

SolaresLarrave · 07-02-2006

Thanks, Kenneth. I got your note and replied to you right away.

And thanks to everyone again! BTW, Todd, I did add Camera Coop to my list of places to go.

rfm · 07-02-2006

Francisco
Austin is great. I went to school at UT in the late 60’s and now live about 80 miles SW of Austin and 50 NW of San Antonio.
I also recommend Gruene and San Antonio is only an hour further south. San Antonio has 5 Spanish missions which are great to photograph. The camera Exchange, a photo store on San Pedro Ave, has a pretty good selection of used Leicas and lenses.
I will be at the Benson Library next Thursday or Friday to pick up a historical document I have loaned them and if you like we can meet and grab lunch.
Ron

blakley · 07-02-2006

Francisco,

You should check out the Harry Ransom Center's exhibit "The Image Wrought"; they also have Niepce's first photograph on display. HRC is on the UTexas campus.

For food, I strongly recommend La Fonda San Miguel (for Interior Mexican cuisine), Rudy's (for Barbecue - be sure & get some potato salad too!), Chuy's (for Tex-Mex; try the Elvis Memorial Combo if you're insanely hungry), Sampaio's (Brazilian), Habana (Cuban), and Uchi (Sushi), among many others.

Look around the state capitol building - it's beautiful and has many photogenic details.

Take a walk in the Lady Bird Johnson wildflower center; then walk across the street and swim in Barton Springs (68 degrees year round, which you WILL appreciate this time of year!). Take a walk on the Town Lake hike&bike trail. Hit the music clubs on 6th street.

Send me an email and I'll take you to Reed's and buy you a drink!

SolaresLarrave · 07-09-2006

So, I'm finally in Austin, TX. Workwise speaking, the results have been very fruitful (this collection is amazing). Otherwise, I've met with Andrew and soon I'll start making other calls. I've also wondered around downtown, found the Harry Ransom Center (will be there on Monday) and I'm planning my dinner itinerary better thanks to your suggestions, Blakley!

So far, so good! Thanks for the advice about this wonderful town!

pshinkaw · 07-10-2006

Camera Co-Op has a considerable quantity of Plus-X Pan professional in 135/24 rolls at half price (outrdated by about only three months. If you need some film that's a good place top start. I was just there a few hours ago.

Also, The Bob Bullock Texas History Museum is across the street from the new UT art museum. There are some nice photo ops from the second floor balconey.

-Paul