Day 16: Austin (animatronic Presidents can also be inspiring)

Just to put it on the record: Rachel IS an old woman who sleeps too much and complains about costs. "Back in my day you could get an oil change for 19.99. 24.99? Prices these days are too too much."

Now that we have that out of the way, our next day in Austin officially makes it the location of our longest stay (if you divide Boulder from Grand Lake). This is a statistic of little to no consequence, but I thought I would share for those of you playing the home game.

Dave and I lazily wait around this morning for Alex to show up from his party-vous last night. Rachel, being the awesome woman that she is, makes us cinnamon rolls. I secretly suspect that she made herself some rolls and we were just along for the ride, but I can't question the girl because she was such a good host.

Our lovely GPS guides us over to the LBJ presidential library. This is the country's biggest, most visited library and is pretty cool. The trip leaves us all a little wiser, Alex, in particularly, is affected by the weight of history, but that is what you get for traveling with a history/psychology major.

We stop at Ruby's and have some BBQ and the lovely Madison Bateman gives us the quality time of her company. We had awkward moments and funny moments and a long discussion about whether or not Dave could take Madison and her giant ring in a fist fight. After the long and winding "lunch," we head over to Rachel's house and are lazy for another long stretch of time and Alex goes to a second BBQ at his 40-something half-brother's place.

Finally, after enough lounging, Rachel, Dave and I head over and explore the Texas Capitol by moonlight. I boast about the impressive facts such as the use of Texas granite or the size of the rotunda, Rachel shows us how cool it is to spin around in a circle while staring upward. The guard stares at us disapprovingly.

We meet Burt again at 219 West and have a dinner full of hilarity and inquisitions. For example: What is a Tonic Box and how do you fix a broken one? Can one truly ever have crab with asparagus? What the heck is a calamari steak finger? If you are passive-aggressive about the rarity of your burger, should you feel guilty about getting it for free?

The goal of going to Weird Wednesday at the Alamo Drafthouse was foiled by a snarky sold out sign. The goal of going home and watching the Running Man was foiled by everyone sleeping. We are truly old people. No Country for Old Men? How about No Arnold for Old Men?

Oh to make unfunny jokes! I am lucky that I am still able to do so... especially given that Dave almost killed me when I woke him up from Rachel's floor. Who knew the man had such animal instincts. Luckily, Rachel's space-age shiny satin comforts me after my near death experience.