Austin

Yesterday afternoon and today were devoted to Austin, the Capitol city for Texas. Late yesterday afternoon I was able to slip into the Blanton Museum of Art on the University of Texas campus. I was able to view their contemporary collection plus an exhibit of works from the collections of UT alumni. A beautiful museum with some very interesting pieces.

Today Phil and I visited the LBJ presidential library, also on the UT campus and also an impressive building. It was an interesting tour back through the 50's and 60's. We were a little startled to be reminded of the amount of civil unrest we experienced in that decade of the 60's, with the assassination of President Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, along with the Watts riots, the shootings at Kent State and the marches against the Vietnam war. Johnson was an impressive man and consummate politician. Nice to remember a time when things could actually get done in Congress!

After we enjoyed some Texas BBQ ribs at Stubbs, then walked through the Capitol building. The best feature of our visit has been connecting with friends of Phil's brother, Howard--Koko Kishi and Paul Habib, who live here. They have guided us to great restaurants and sites.

Pictures include an interesting sculpture from the Blanton Museum, Phil being given the "Johnson treatment" as the Presients intimidating presence was called and the state Capitol.