My Wife is a Hair Stylist, and has an opportunity to attend an Advanced Techniques Class/Convention in Austin. We will be arriving in Austin on Friday February 21st, and her classes are Saturday-Monday, so I will be flying solo those days. We Plan on leaving Austin,the morning of Tuesday the 25th, and going to San Antonio, Waco and DFW, where my Best Friend moved to in August It would be great to meet any fellow forum members, or hear of any suggestions of things to see or do, or Avoid. Other than a couple airline layovers in Houston, this will be my first time to the Lone Star State, so any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thanks Doug
My suggestion, mess with Texas as much as you can. I've never been to Austin yet, but if I were ever to go, there's great BBQ there. There's also the Circuit of the Americas race track, a zoo, an aquarium, wineries and breweries, live music too.
Mess with Texas?? Helllll No, my Utah CCW is expired, and I doubt that I can get it renewed before we go Besides, other than Beto, I think that I would be of the same thinking as most Texans, and there is still that gettin my Butt kicked by a bunch of Cowboys, Rodeo Riders, and oil field rough necks, Not doin That Doug
We went to Texas for Christmas. We have family in Houston. I bet within the next 5 years, i bet we move down there... We either move to Texas or we move someplace that gets more snow.. Life just seems like a waste without good weather or decent amounts of snow.
Eh, I like messing with Texas as much as I can, at least as much as I'm able to. That aside, I'm sure you'll find a lot of fun stuff to do down there. You know there's drive up bars there, right?
I hadn't thought to check about open carry, but I generally prefer that if I need my weapon, the reason I need my weapon doesn't Know that I HAVE a weapon, until I decide that they Need to KNOW that I am armed For me, I carry concealed unless there is a reason that I can't, and open carry is the last resort, rather than not carrying, it can save a lot of headaches. The exception to my open carry policy, is when we are in the woods hiking, we live in Bear and Cougar country, we don't see them often, but one bad day is all it takes. The Bears don't concern me a whole lot, the Blackies we have around here, pretty much if you give them an out they will take it, we have even had a Sow with two cubs, come through the neighborhood, just give 'em room, and they don't get to worked up. The Cougars on the other, while they are Beautiful, and fun to see, I don't TRUST, them sneaky SOB's. If you heard about the Hiker killed by a Cougar on the Hunchback Trail, in IIRC Sept, 2018, that was only about 7 miles from our home, and less than 3 miles from my Wife's Hair Salon. The Hunchback Trail attack was very disturbing in many ways, it was less than 2 miles up trail from the trailhead, and the Cat STALKED the Hiker as PREY, it was not an accidental encounter gone Bad. They found evidence that the Lady had fought the cat off once, and was trying to return to her vehicle at the trailhead, when the cat came back and attacked her a second time, which was the Fatal attack. When they tracked down and killed the suspected cat, a necropsy showed that they had indeed killed the right cat, there was flesh that DNA confirmed was the hiker's, in the cat's stomach. We live in what can best be described as a "Rural Neighborhood", there is forest land all around us, and wildlife is just a fact of life here, I enjoy seeing the animals, but they do come with their own "Issues", fortunately most neighbors understand the watch from a distance policy, but occasionally some of the Vacation rentals don't understand that the Best way to guarantee a Bears Death, is to feed it, as "Neat" as it seems, it won't end well for Smokey Doug
It was more tongue in cheek of a suggestion to open carry. Just gong along with the mess with Texas idea. Sad to hear about the Hunchback incident. I think we're on the same page regarding mt. lions. When I used to hit the woods for a 1/2 day hike (no trails-just exploring) I would never think about carrying. Now, I do.
Congrats to your Wife... If you want BBQ, you might try out Home - Franklin Barbecue | Austin, Texas .... He's on a lot of BBQ shows (pit masters) used to have his own too... But when you said Austin it rang a bell... Had to google it... ....
San Antonio is like a giant outside mall that runs along a muddy stream. You can buy beer from the stores and walk along the river walk which is nice. The Alamo is a much see but is very small. There are lots of great restaurants there.
I'm curious for a report. I have heard but don't want to scare you off, that certain downtown areas have become uncleaned and very sidwalk resident of questionable legal status populated. Let me know what you see.
Funny, I just flew into DFW for the week. Darn guys servicing the planes be distracted too (cell phone in his hand). My first time in the Lone Star State. Only negative is the company isn’t providing a rental. I can’t wait to hit up as many BBQ joints as possible. I’m told Hard8 is a good one. Company guy is taking us to Gas Monkey for lunch today. Hope to get some authentic Mexican too!
Hey Husky Man just a few suggestions from the cities you mentioned you would be traveling to: San Antonio, "The River Walk" is a must see, the river runs beneath the downtown streets of S.A. There are plenty of great Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants, Steak Houses, cafes and cantinas to enjoy as you walk the banks of the river. Also the Alamo is located next to The River Walk. Both will take up at least 3-4 hours to see everything. There are also four (five counting the Alamo) 1700's Catholic Missions in S.A. each located about 4-5 miles from each other and all are part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Waco has The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Museum Dallas has The Texas School Book Depository/JFK Museum/Dealey Plaza which are all together at the location where President Kennedy was assassinated. You need 3-4 hours to see everything. You can actually stand a few feet from the "snippers nest" where Lee Harvey Oswald was alleged to have shot JFK. The Sixth Floor JFK Museum has a self guided audio tour as you walk thru the museum. Then another self guided walking tour of Dealey Plaza, the "Grassy Knoll" and the exact spot the Presidents limousine was located when the final shot was fired. Good luck on your Texas trip.
Remember it's February, pack your clothes accordingly. Couple of T-shirts, maybe a hoodie. Keep an LCP in your pocket for peace of mind, it's all good. edit- if you are concerned about flying and having to check a handgun in with the airlines, you can always UPS it to your first destination (hotel), to pick up upon your arrival. Then, UPS it back to your home destination when you leave. Carry while you're there, OWB preferred... People that fly to Texas for hog hunting do this on a regular basis, just mostly with rifles. If asked, the box contains- "sporting supplies". It's pretty simple, and legal to do.
I was just telling the wife last week that I’m sick and tired of these so called winters in lower Michigan. Its basically 5 months of kind of snow, a lot more rain and roller coaster temps. I said we are either moving south where it’s warmer or up to Traverse City where winter is a little more real.
Yep. Wasn’t paying a whole lot of attention to what he was doing. I’m surprised they are even allowed to have cell phones on the tarmac. There are tugs all over and around him.