? for Texas members

[marcmax]

My daughter just graduated from university with a degree in tourism management and is heading to her first job in Breckenridge, CO. I am driving out with her and then flying back home. Her only two requests are a dinner in New Orleans and another in Austin TX. Since I will be in Texas longer than any other state I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on things to see that don't require a lot of time. Or places to eat, or even places to avoid.

[Lucky_Lou]

As it happens I was in Texas the other day and then in Colorado including a visit to Breckenridge I was quite ropey after driving over the Hoosier pass  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoosier_Pass be warned its oxygen territory, however you will probably pass through Georgetown  at a mere 8500ft on I 70, the Hotel De Paris (now a museum) Tours every 2 hours starting at 10am, the story of its owner is a must a fascinating example of enterprise after adversity most of the interior is original well worth the time and its less than 1 mile from the interstate.
http://www.hoteldeparismuseum.org/
Lou.... still got jetlag
Congrats to your daughter..........
Breckenridge


On I 70

[montmil]

Both my sons and their families live in Austin. Wifey and i visit frequently and have found there are literally hundeds of worthy eateries from simple yet sublime to up scale wallet busters.

Share your travel dates in Texas and I'll contact the lads for suggestions for dining and freebie activities.

PM or post on the forum. Either / or is good.

[k_enn]

For the OP - there a plenty of great restaurants in New Orleans.  The celebrity ones are good (Emeril's, NOLA, K-Paul, etc.) but my favorite is Arnoud's in the French Quarter.  The other traditional restaurants (Brennan's Commander's Palace, Hotel Ponchetrian, Antoine's, Galetoir's etc.) I have found to be be hit-or-miss over the years - ranging from great to mediocre/overpriced.  

Another question for those of you in Texas and vacinity:

During the first two weeks of October, I will be riding through parts of Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico.  Any idea on the temperature ranges I am likely to encounter?  I am trying to decide on what riding gear to bring on the trip.  I am don't have much luggage space on the bike and plan on only one set of riding gear (which I will be wearing and not packing).

k_enn

[marcmax]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. My daughter is a big fan of the show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" and has already made a list of possible eateries from their website. I also found out that the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival is going on the week we are heading out so it may be a quick trip across Texas (is there such a thing   ) to New Mexico before heading north into Colorado.

[Danie]

As far as places to eat are concerned - during our US visit earlier this year we stumbled across a place called "Tasty Tacos" in Des Moines, IA.
 
I am not sure about food quality at other  "Taco" branches across the US - but as far as Tasty Tacos Des Moines is concerned - their food is absolutely brilliant, and great value for money !

[k_enn]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. My daughter is a big fan of the show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" and has already made a list of possible eateries from their website. I also found out that the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival is going on the week we are heading out so it may be a quick trip across Texas (is there such a thing   ) to New Mexico before heading north into Colorado.

Thanks for the heads up on the balloon festival.  I will be riding out to Santa Fe, and will be in the area during the festival.  I may just have to make a side trip.

k_enn

[marcmax]

My brother went last year. He was working in Pueblo, CO and stayed an extra weekend to take his wife to Santa Fe and ran into The Balloon Festival by accident. He said it was spectacular!

But he also said he ran into the worst snowstorm he has ever been in going back to Pueblo. Just be aware the weather can change in a moments notice this time of year.

[k_enn]

<snip>But he also said he ran into the worst snowstorm he has ever been in going back to Pueblo. Just be aware the weather can change in a moments notice this time of year.

Thanks for the weather warning.  

I had been planning on wearing just mesh riding gear, thinking it would be still be hot in the southwest this time of year.  Now I am giving serious thought to wear leathers.

k_enn

[marcmax]

Just got back from moving my daughter to Breckenridge, CO and had a great trip. Drove across the southern part of the US then up into Colorado and just have one comment.

Good Lord I never thought I would get out of Texas! Granted I was trying to keep the driving to near 8 hours a day but it took 2 1/2 days to get across the state. And that was on highways with a speed limit of 75 and 80 mph!

The only incident was on a highway with an 80mph speed limit. A semi tanker passed me going at least 100 mph and kicked up a rock the size of a golfball. The windshield ended up with a dent the size of a baseball and spiderweb cracks across half of it but at least it did its job and stopped the rock. My daughter found a mobile glass repair service in Austin (about 1.5 hrs away) and gave them our hotel address. They were there within 30 minutes of us checking in and 30 minutes later new glass was installed.

Spent two days getting my daughter moved in and didn't think I would make it. At almost 10,000 feet altitude I couldn't walk and hold a conversation. Every third or fourth word I was gasping for breath. She is a fitness nut so had no problems at all. I am happily back at sea level and recovering nicely with the help of a little adult antifreeze.

[montmil]

Old Texas saying;

The Sun has riz and the Sun has set,
And here we are in Texas yet.

We get a lot of "furriners" moving into The Great State and many start squawking about the need for rail service, "Like we have up in the Northeast".

Bless their little pea-pickin' hearts. We could stuff the entire Northeast into Loving County alone! This place is BIG, as Marc has discovered. Texans will give up their personal cars and pickups about the same time as we give up Friday Night Football.

And on an historical note, and before the intervention of the United States gubmint from 1847-50, the State of Texas included large portions of what is now New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma. So Marc, it would have been possible for you and your daughter to have entered Texas on our eastern Cajun border, handled your duties in now current Colorado and exited Texas on the eastern border without ever leaving The Great State.

[Lucky_Lou]

Spent two days getting my daughter moved in and didn't think I would make it. At almost 10,000 feet altitude I couldn't walk and hold a conversation. Every third or fourth word I was gasping for breath.

I was discussing my difficulty with the altitude with one of the other guests at our Hotel... his advice was to drink plenty of water... yeh right they export Shiner to Colorado.
Lou