Leaving Galveston meant crossing the two-mile-long Galveston
Causeway Bridge, and as we approached the causeway terminus in Texas City, I
was truly astonished by the vast network of gas and oil infrastructure that
permeates the area in and around Galveston Bay. The intricate array of
refineries and industrial facilities is a testament to the region's pivotal
role in energy production. Our destination was Austin, TX, the state’s capital.
We lucked out with a fantastic campsite on the eastern edge of Austin, just 9
miles from downtown, a perfect home base for our adventures. Even better, we
had some VIP visitors for the second half of our stay: both of our adult children
flew down and joined us in the camper. Yes, you read that right! Four
full-sized adults, all packed into one 320-square-foot camper. We basically
formed our own pop-up reality show, “Survivor: Family Edition.” Morgan “hoseyed”
the pull-out sofa in the bunkroom and Josh was more than happy to sleep in the
loft area. Let’s just say, if you ever want to test your loved ones’ patience,
try living together in a space smaller than most walk-in closets. Despite the
tight squeeze, we had a blast eating Texas barbeque and discovering the city, making
memories that will last a lifetime.
Judy and I arrived in Austin a few days ahead of the kids,
giving us some time to explore early and get familiar with the area. Our first
adventure was a walking food tour through downtown Austin, particularly around
Congress Street. It was there that I tried Texas Barbeque Smoked Brisket for
the first time—wow, I can't believe what I'd been missing! We kicked things off
at the well-known Cooper's Pit Bar-B-Que, where we learned about proper
Bar-B-Que etiquette. Here are a few tips I picked up:
 |
| JuiceLand, on Austin Food Tour |
- The food is
usually served on a legal-size piece of wax paper.
- Serving brisket "wet" refers to slices taken from the point muscle of the brisket and is characterized by intense marbling and tenderness.
- Bread is served on the side along with hot peppers,
onions, beans and a mix of different sauces.
Most
of the remaining stops on our food tour focused on tacos, with our guide
sharing insights into how Tex-Mex cuisine and Austin's taco trucks evolved. We
tried all-natural tacos from Veracruz, which started as a food truck, and
sipped on a “Honey Berry Smoothie” at Juiceland, another local favorite. Our
last eating stop was in the “Fareground” food court where we tried beef picadillo
empanadas, with an avocado cream sauce, followed by a caramel filled churro. Can
you say “yum”? The tour was fantastic, Judy and I sampled dishes we wouldn’t
typically consider. Texas Bar-B-Que was a highlight - we ate it three times in
Austin, including a visit with the kids to Terry Black's Barbecue.
 |
| "Old Baldy" |
Next on our list of
things to do was stop at McKinney Falls State Park. A 700-acre urban park, in
Austin with a topography that is unlike anything we have ever seen before. The
limestone rock formations have a moon crater-like appearance caused by the flow
of Onion Creek over, around, and through the ancient rock. The exposed limestone
covers at least two football fields worth of space, and Onion Creek is
still flowing through and over the rock, creating funnels and a swimming hole.
There were numerous hiking trails, and we took the 3½ -mile Homestead Trail.
Along the way we met "Baldy", a towering Bald Cypress tree believed to be well
over 500 years old. The ecosystem around Onion Creek was intriguing and treacherous
as Judy found out firsthand.
 |
| OUCH, those Cacti are Sharp! |
|
| Trish & Judy at Rudy's Country Store & B-B-Q |
One incredible
advantage of our RV lifestyle is the way it brings unexpected reunions and
serendipitous encounters. Thanks to our travels, Judy had the chance to
reconnect with Trish, a high school classmate she hadn't seen in over 40 years;
a meeting that never would have happened if not for our journey taking us
across the Southwestern United States. Once again, Texas Bar-B-Que was selected for the
meal, as Trish hosted us at Rudy’s “Country Store” & Bar-B-Q. The meal was
delightful, and we lingered at the table, chatting and reminiscing about their
high school days, and sharing updates about fellow classmates. After all
that Texas Bar-B-Que and laughter, we left Rudy’s with enough stories and
sauce stains to prove that nostalgia is best served well done.
And then the kids flew into town, and the activity
level went into overdrive:
 |
| Tau Ceti Mural, Downtown Austin |
The four of us went on a three-hour electric bike tour
around Austin, covering 12 miles and exploring both the city and its
neighboring areas. Riding the e-bikes was simple and made for an easygoing
journey as we wound our way through Zilker Park and along Lady Bird Lake,
eventually stopping at the well-known Congress Bridge, where Mexican
free-tailed bats make their summer home. Our route took us through Austin’s
Bouldin Creek and Zilker neighborhoods Then we crossed the Colorado River for
a scenic ride through downtown Austin.
 |
| Zilker Metropolitan Park overlooking Lady Bird Lake |
It
was on our bicycle tour of the Bouldin Creek neighborhood that we discovered
our next “off the beaten path” adventure and house tour. But before I start, I
think a bit of background is required. The Bouldin Creek neighborhood developed
as an early Austin suburb with modest homes. In the last 20 years, the
neighborhood has transformed into a highly desirable, eclectic urban
neighborhood, known for its historic bungalows, with a vibrant mix of architectural
styles and art.
Our tour route had us passing million-dollar contemporary homes,
ramshackle bungalows
 |
| Octopus House, Bouldin Creek Neighborhood |
of a bygone era, and some unusual homes with interesting
artistic twists. For example, we passed by a private residence that had a large
pink dinosaur dressed up in Christmas garb, which is an art installation in the
front yard that happens to spray people with water. I believe it's a famous
piece of “Keeping Austin Weird" local art. We also passed by the “Octopus
House”. As you can see from the picture,
it is a distinguished modernist residence, notable for its prominent octopus
centerpiece that faces the street. A water feature, visible from outside,
appears to flow beneath the foundation, complemented by other artistic elements
inspired by marine landscapes.
But the pièce de
résistance of our tour was Casa Neverlandia. This home left a lasting impression and was truly extraordinary
and embodies the spirit of the Bouldin Creek
 |
| Mr. Talbot outside Casa Neverlandia |
community. We were so gobsmacked,
that after reading the explanation posted on a sign at the curb , we emailed
the owner and asked to join a tour of the residence the following morning. What is Casa Neverlandia? It is a three-story art house and fine art
studio created by artist James Edward Talbot, featuring vibrant mosaics, unique
sculptures, and whimsical designs inspired by Peter Pan. It is an immersive
residence where architecture blends with fine arts and sculpting, intersecting
with both spiritual and mystical themes. Mr. Talbot graduated in the 70’s with
a BA in Architecture and a minor in Fine Arts; he bought the house in 1979 and
transformed it over decades into a personal masterpiece, with colorful
plasterwork, mosaics, and unique structural additions. The property boasts a
four-story treehouse in the backyard, accessible via suspension bridges and
ladders, no less than seven working fire poles, and an indoor-outdoor kitchen. It
incorporates sustainable elements like solar panels, greywater recycling, and
no air conditioning. The house serves as a personal art gallery and studio
showcasing Talbot's mixed-media work, including intricate beadwork and mosaics.
The house is such a landmark in Austin that Mr. Talbot offers periodic house
tours, and we were so fortunate to be able to take one. In true Austin
fashion, Casa
Neverlandia celebrated all things quirky, creative, and just a
little bit bonkers, reminding us why this city’s “weird” reputation is so
well-deserved. As we drove back to our 320-square-foot reality, we were
inspired to add a little more color, a little more whimsy, and maybe just one
fire pole to our lives. |
| Atop the Four-Story Tree House behind Casa Neverlandia Overlooking Austin |
 |
| Judy, Morgan, Josh, Steven, and Artist Robert Talbot, in Front of Casa Neverlandia |
 |
| Mr.Talbot in Front of Alter of Fire |
Reflecting on our time in Austin, we are
reminded of the profound value that family connections and shared experiences
bring, especially as our children have grown and life’s chapters continue to
unfold. Exploring new places together, embracing local traditions, and
discovering the unexpected has enriched our journey and deepened our bonds.
These adventures serve as a gentle nudge to savor each moment and cherish the
laughter, stories, and memories that we create along the way. For families of
any age, travel remains a wonderful way to rekindle togetherness and celebrate
the enduring spirit of love and discovery. And so, with full stomachs, happy hearts, and stories
we’ll never forget, we close out another chapter, as we tell… the Rest of the Story.
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