My Austin Bucket List

Last week my mom came into town and I decided to use this opportunity to cross off some of the things on my Austin bucket list. I am sure everyone has one of these for the town they live in. The things you always want to do, but rarely get around to doing. But we managed to get several of my bucket list items crossed off!

First, take the duck tour (and don't tell her I posted the second picture, she hates it):

The duck tour was so much fun! I learned a lot about Austin, and I had fun while doing it. But we drove to Lake Austin and actually drove into the lake! It was a bit scary when we actually hit the water, you start to doubt the ability of the vehicle to handle it. But here we are in the water:

Next, we went to watch the bats come out from under Congress Bridge. Now, if someone would have told me that there was a season for bats, that would have been even better. Because, apparently, bats are like birds in the sense that they fly south for the winter. Who knew? So our happy hour next to Congress bridge was the prefect place at the wrong time, dang it!

Then, we went to see the Zilker Christmas Tree. Which my brother was quick to point out that it is not really a tree at all, just a pole with lights strung up it. Which is a good point, but hey, I am not the one that named it a tree. And in case you care, this was the same night as the eclipse, just several hours before it happened!

After we saw the tree we went to this new lights show they have next to the tree (but not on my bucket list). It was called "Lights On." They took you into a tent and sat you in bleachers that faced an entire wall of what looked like stage lights. I mean, I know they are trying their hardest with little money but it was like I was staring straight into headlights. I found myself closing my eyes and just enjoying the music most of the time. Which is not very "Lights On" but whatever.

The next day we went to the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Museum. I really loved the museum (and the Walter Cronkite exhibit that was visiting)!

The last bucket list item on my list (that I was actually able to check off) was to eat barbecue at one of the famous places in Lockhart. I drive there everyday for work and yet I never eat the barbecue there. And it's the barbecue capitol of Texas! I mean, I have been to a couple of places, and they are popular, but they are not the two that are the main talk on magazines, the Food Network or the Travel Channel. Here's a picture of the town square (which has been in the films "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" and "Waiting for Guffman.").

So the biggest names are Smitty's and Kreuz. The story goes that after a family feud the sister got the location of the family barbecue restaurant and the brother got the name. So I went with the sister's place, Smitty's (I mean, the girls are the one's that REALLY pay attention, right?).

I really wish that after working in the town someone had prepared me for what I would walk in on at Smitty's. First off, it should be known that as a general rule of thumb you should not use the front door, but the back.

See, if you go in the front, you have to work yourself through a maze, which includes going through this room, which had at least four paths to take.

Then you arrive at a counter that sells stuff, but not barbecue, and they immediately ask if you are new there (probably because my mom and I looked so lost). Then they direct you to a third room where my jaw nearly hit the floor. Good thing it didn't though, cause there were piles of wood on fire there. I couldn't believe that a place still exists where they have a fire on the floor cooking the food and the customers come walking right by it!

After you buy your meat (pound by pound is how they sell it), they wrap it up in butcher paper like a boat (no trays) they send you back to the second room. There you buy your drinks and sides. But if you want something like onion, tomato, avocado or cheese, you can buy it; but they are going to give you the whole thing not cut or shredded up. Oh, and do not ask for barbecue sauce or a fork (I was given the heads up on this) they do not believe in them!

So it was strange to eat my entire meal without a fork or plate, but it was fun and added to the experience at the same time!

I loved Smitty's, we got a pound of brisket and it was AMAZING! Best brisket I've ever had! I am not even sure if I can get past my love for it to even try out Kreuz, but I guess I will have to one day?!?

I had a great time in Austin (and Lockhart) this past week with my mom. But most of all I am happy that I was able to cross a few things off my Austin bucket list!