Fred was absolutely, 110% right about Austin.

Cousin-brother Ron and I drove up from San Antonio to Austin yesterday (June 22nd) which is an hour or so pretty much straight up Interstate 35 and a cool, comfortable ride thanks to CbR's 7 series.
(Note to self: the BMW 740 is a man's car.  Please buy and drive accordingly.  That is all.)
Austin is a great town.  I immediately felt a kind of kindred spirits vibe.  Maybe that was just the Shiner Bock on tap for $2.50

cousin-brother Ron in Austin

Our first stop was at the El Camino Casino and Bar on 6th St.  JoJo at Marriott recommended their burgers and praise Allah! she was spot on.
The El Camino (English translation:  The Camino) is a great dive bar.  Dark, dirty, tattooed and a helluva lot of fun.
They played good music, had the Coen Bros. movie, True Grit, on the tv, and the employees were laughing and joking and busting our chops everytime we went in (3 times in 2 days).

The Patio at The Camino

Cousin-brother Ron enjoys the burger and fries at The Camino

I joined.

His Name is Robert Paulson!

After burgers, fries, and a couple Shiner Bocks - we saw this!

Hell Yeah!!!
Meatloaf!?!
Live!?!
In Austin!?!
Yes, please.

Great show.  Good crowd.
Postscript:  Cousin-brother Ron and I met Meatloaf's band in the hotel lobby Saturday afternoon.  Nice guys.

Meatloaf is 64 now, but I remember listening to him on 8 track tape when I was a kid.
How can you not like Bat Out of Hell or Paradise by the Dashboard Light?
Exactly.
You're not a good American if you don't like Meatloaf's music (or at least that first album.)

I look just like this on my bike.

A walk around the capitol Saturday morning:

I'm not sure why, but Saturday morning I was up early.
Considering the drinks at lunch, pre-show, during the show, after the show at a couple bars on 6th St. and the Irish Car Bombs at our 2nd visit in 12 hours to  "The Camino", it would have been reasonable to sleep past noon.
Not so, trusty readers.
Your man on the scene, EPPdF, is always working to bring you a bigger, better, more exciting blog.
With Cousin-brother Ron securing the couch back at The Marriott, EPPdF took a solomente stroll thru Austin.
Here's the condition I found it in:

This lady kicked Sam Houston's ass. 

The capitol building straight ahead, the old State Theater to the right.

Old building.  That is all.

Very cool architecture in Austin.  Seems like most of the original old buildings still stand.

Duck Boat Tours!!

I think these are buildings. 

Take a walk around the capitol grounds in the morning when it's still cool(ish) and before the crowds show up.  It's a beautiful area with a lot to see and great photos ops.

Monument for the Texas Rangers.

No wonder Texas has such a rep. for not being messed with - look at all the battles they fought BEFORE Gettysburg.

From the back side of the capitol building.

It's a doorknob.  True.

Fence around the capitol.

Neighbor Fred in Stealth Mode

"Neighbor Fred" (not to be confused with "High- school-Sweetheart-Fred" >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>)