AUSTIN CITY LIMITS (AND BEYOND)

                              


                                    Today we travel to Austin, Texas the capital of The Lone Star State.

Austin is a thriving metropolis, replete with plenty of music, culture, and great food.

It is home to the University of Texas Longhorns.

                   We stroll pass the Longhorn football stadium on our way to the LBJ library.
                                              The stadium holds 101,000 fans!

The library is one of 13 Presidential library's maintained by the federal government.

We find the 14 acre library complex on the campus.
The university is home to 38,000 undergraduate students.

Johnson was the 36th President of the U.S.

He took office in 1963 after Kennedy's assassination.

He was re-elected in 1964.

His "Great Society" platform was responsible for many of Americans benefits.

Civil Rights Act, Medicare, and Medicaid were just a few.

He appointed the first African American to the Supreme Court.

His wife, Ladybird, supported beautification of America.

The Vietnam War was the biggest problem to plague him.

He escalated the war in an effort for victory.

But the peace he was seeking eluded him in the end.

A memorial to the 7400 Texans who gave their lives resides on the 3rd floor of the library.

Their dog tags are a remembrance of their sacrifice.

Ruth and Don decide to walk over to the State Capitol (background).

At 104F that might not have been a good idea, lol.

Don takes a break after the 2 mile walk.

The lighted capitol is what is seen on Austin City Limits on PBS.

Back at the motel a cool dip in the pool helps to beat the heat.

That night we dine with our new friend - Tara.

Another travelling Floridian (Lakeland), whom we met at the motel.

The three of us hit one of the local nightclubs.

Austin has over 250 music venues - clubs, bars, concert halls, and coffeehouses.

Here, at Saxon's Pub, we hear my old school friend, Johnny Nicholas.

Johnny grew up in Connecticut but now owns a bar and restaurant in Fredricksburg, Texas.

The night life of Austin continues after midnight as we return to our motel.

We must get our rest.

Tomorrow - San Antonio and the Alamo!