The "Doghouse Drinkery", oh yes! A Dogpark and Bar in one!

Our Sunday continued on as we headed to the northern rural suburbs. I had heard about a Dog park / Bar, and we had to go.

We found it, "The Doghouse Drinkery", a privately run dogpark, with a bar, patio, and live music!

What a good time, the dogs romped and played while i enjoyed a few beers. We hung out with the owner Melissa, and her family, as well as met local folks from all over the area.

I enjoyed most of a performance by "Rixon" a duo act of guitar/vocals and bass. I really thought they put a competent set together. One of their originals was infused with a segue into a Beatles tune, and back. Also they covered "Breathe", by Pink Floyd, and as a die hard Floyd fan, i appreciated their choice.

What a great idea! people should create more of these type of dog friendly gathering spots.  I wonder why there arent? (Insurance, maybe)  - I can say, the dogs enjoyed it as much as i did...

The Doghouse Drinkery! 

The dogs arriving at the Doghouse Drinkery!

Meeting the owner, Melissa, A true dog lover!

RIXON

This is one of the biggest dogs we've ever seen!

Brittney hangin' out while the band performed.

Sunday in Austin; Parks, BBQ, and more...

So Saturday was spent recovering from the HUGE hangover i earned from running around 6th street... I had to unhook the truck and break camp with a splitting headache. I got my bearings near the campground, and We went shopping and found the local petstore for doggy supplies. Then i layed low and played guitar, which i have not done nearly enough during this trip...

On Sunday, however, we got out early and planned a large loop around the city, into the rural suburbs, and back.

The plan was to meet local folks, learn more of the area, and really spoil the dogs for being so good. We accomplished that plan and some!

Starting with a quick romp at the large dog park in south Austin, then a run and wonderful hang at Zilker park. I met some other folks that were very musical, as well as dog owners. They shared several tips, suggestions, and were just plain great to talk to. I later made it to a performance of the young lady i spoke with, (Bass player) and fell in love with the neighborhood they suggested i visit. I will post more about that later.

I took some photos of the dogs in front of the Austin Skyline. The way the dogs posed and hammed it up for the camera was loved by the other folks there, and brought even more conversations. What a nice morning in the park!.

We headed down the road to a BBQ house that has been on the scene for many, many years. The "Green Mesquite BBQ". Again we spoke to locals and shared stories. I enjoyed some awesome briskit Tacos, and a cold lemonaid. The neighboring table broought over a bunch of briskit fat for the pups, and really loved our story.  When i wanted to pay, THEY had picked up our tab!!  Thats 2 times in one weekend someone else got our food without telling us. Austin is awesome!!!

Our campsite in Austin, Home for 2 weeks.

The Austin Dogpark was nice!

Britt watching Mickey meeting and greeting. 

Dogs posing for a shot in front of the Austin Skyline. 

The dogs helper earn us another meal! Worth their weight in Gold!

Austin Rocks!

What an amazing first weekend in Austin!


My Friday Night continued after i put the dogs to bed in the trailer and headed back to 6th Street for a look and listen to all the great music. 6th street is similar to other drags near college campuses like telegraph in berkeley, mill ave in tempe, or even similar in some ways to South Street, in Philly.
The Music is the obvious difference. Live music is everywhere, at almost every establishment.

My ears eventually led me to a spot called Darwin's Pub  
On stage was      Trent Turner and the Moontowers            I really enjoyed the set!  I made sure to thank him and his band, the drummer was his son. And I got his CD. Total Texas blues shredder! I was in awe of his chops, and would pay to see him if I had to....

I finished the evening doing shots at Bikinis, and then a nightcap at  Coyote Ugly...

The pics are blurry, but understand, by the time I had gotten on my way back to the trailer, everything was a bit blurry!!! 

It was a great first night in Austin,  we setup at a campground on Saturday, and have been here since. 
Plenty more fun stories and pics to share, as even with a rough week covering things at work, we got out to have some fun... Stay tuned and I'll try to update you all this weekend...

Austin Rocks!

Amazing arrival in Austin!

We are now in Austin. "The Live Music Capital of the World"...

Austin is only about an hour away from San Antonio, we made the drive on Friday. After making reservations at a campground starting Saturday, I decided to do Friday night right in the thick of the city, with the RV. Austin is a very Urban center, and this prooved to be an interesting night!

Soon after battling traffic, and arriving downtown Friday night, I did what i usually do when arriving in a city. I asked a local - > I waved over one of the local fellas drinking beer from a paper bag. I asked the dude "where have you seen large vehicles, or trucks with trailers park in the area".
The guy, sensing i would be handing over some cash,  was quite helpful, waved me up the hill to a level area with large parking, and 5 hour limit on the parking spot. He also explained the parking machine, and the way you place the sticker in your window. This was 3 dollars well spent, and he then 'kept an eye' on my rig for the evening.

After setting up at the parking spot, we walked the 6th street for a first look at the center of all the musical action. Most of those clups are loud, and have no outdoor seating, so the Dogs and I went into town further, and found a patio spot under the trees at "Opal's Devine", a local eatery popular with locals, and visitors alike.

Our neighbors were local Austinites and were enamored with my weimeriner Mickey. We shared some stories, and they gave me some tips on the area. I enjoyed some Armadillo wheat beer, and a great sandwich.

When I waved over the server to pay my tab, I was told "Welcome to Austin, your friends paid for you". I turned to look. and they were gone. So, I remember their names both started with the letter S. I have them in a photo below, THANK YOU, fine folks, you set the tone for a great first weekend!

San Antonio wrap up...

We finished our visit to Sn Antonio with a visit to the Alamo. It was very busy, and surrounded by tourist trap places. The town was getting ready for "Fiesta" week, and it was quite a scene.
The dogs are not allowed in, so I did not take the tour. I did review much of the placards and statues, and took some fun pics of the dogs. The shot in front of the Alamo was fun, as several folks also took shots of the dogs, impressed at how they pose for the camera...lol.

I stopped at the river walk on the way back to the truck, and had a snack and beer at Rita's on the River, a dog friendly place, with a fresh menu and real nice folks... Some strolling mariachis played for the next table, and the dogs and I really enjoyed them. A flock of Lmost tame finches lands on the table, and we're taking chips from the dogs! They were brave little birds.

Later on that evening, we headed to Augies Barbwire BBQ. YUMMY! My final meal out here was really good smoked pork sandwich, this was a fun place with a huge covered deck, and good, cold beer!

Well, that wraps up our short week in San Antonio!

San Antonio...cont.

Our visit continued through the week.

The dogs and I got out each day, continued to explore, and met the local folks.

The Spanish missions were very interesting, and the sense of history felt near these great castles of the southwest was palatable. The Alamo is one of several missions built along the river, and is famous, of course, for Davey Crockett and the great battles.

The dogs and I first visited 2 other Missions in the area, Mission Conception' and Mission San Jose, and these lesser known ones are more accessible, have less people, and are really beautiful and humbling to experience. Imagining life in the days that these structures were built is not so easy in our modern world. Protection from elements, warring natives, and bandits was vital. Its impressive the structures still stand, all these years later after attacks, wars, weather, and time. The walls, alters, and surrounding fields almost whisper voices from the past.

Following our self guided Mission Tour, the Pups and I headed for a place we had been told about form Locals...
"The Friendly Spot". This Bar/Cantina is actually an old Ice House. The concept is like a big yard everyone can hang out in, familys, kids, dogs and folks all together. The food was tasty, the beer was cold. and Most Importantly, the Company was better than a bunch of other tourists. I met several great local folks, and bought some drinks for a table of servicemen and women i came across that wanted to pet the pups.
If ever in San Antonio, I urge you to get up out of the River Walk, away from the tourists,  at some point - and over to Southtown to visit the locals...

I'll post our visit to the Alamo, and our last outing in San Antoni next. We're now in Austin, and I'm trying to catch everyone up... Be Well! 

Mickey enjoyed exploring the Missions.

Dogs hanging with me, meeting locals...

The Friendly Spot