Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Austin, TX Has A Lot To Offer. Boulder/Hoover Dam. 9/11.

 

For “Travel Tuesday”:  Let’s visit Austin, TX State Capital.

There is so much to see there, so click on whatever interests you:

Rock-About Climbing Adventures

Rock-About Climbing Adventures

Ranked #1 of 186 attractions in Austin

5 of 5 stars 60 reviews

Category: Other

Owner description: Rock Climbing exercises your mind and body. Rock-About classes provide you the experience to climb for the first time or to... more » Owner description: Rock Climbing exercises your mind and body. Rock-About classes provide you the experience to climb for the first time or to build on existing skills. Whatever your skill level, Rock-About can help you reach your vertical goals. Join us at Enchanted Rock SNA, Reimer's Ranch, Pecos River Gorge, or at the Austin Greenbelt.

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Town Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail

Town Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail

Ranked #2 of 186 attractions in Austin

5 of 5 stars 200 reviews

Category: Hiking Trails; Biking Trails; Trails; Jogging Paths/ Tracks

Scenic trail through lush green parks and peaceful lakes: a great place to bike, hike and run.

 

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State Capitol

As featured in Day trips from San Antonio

State Capitol

Ranked #3 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 391 reviews

Category: Government Buildings; Historic Sites; Architectural Buildings

Owner description: If it's in Texas, it must be bigger and better. That is the motto that architects followed with the Capitol Building in... more » Owner description: If it's in Texas, it must be bigger and better. That is the motto that architects followed with the Capitol Building in Austin. At one time, it was the tallest capitol building in the nation. Others might be taller now, but this is still a beautiful building that shows off many of the natural resources which are so prevalent in Texas, such as limestone and the landscapes.

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Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum

Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum

Ranked #4 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 302 reviews

Category: History Museums

Museum that chronicles the history of Texas with three themed exhibits: Land, Identity and Opportunity.

 

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Barton Springs Pool

Barton Springs Pool

Ranked #5 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 272 reviews

Category: Bodies of Water; Hot Springs/ Geysers

Owner description: Over the years, people have come to this 1,000 foot long natural limestone pool, fed by several underground springs, for... more » Owner description: Over the years, people have come to this 1,000 foot long natural limestone pool, fed by several underground springs, for everything from fishing and swimming to baptisms and beauty pageants.

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Zilker Metropolitan Park

Zilker Metropolitan Park

Ranked #6 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 102 reviews

Category: Parks; Gardens

Owner description: Home to Barton Springs, the Zilker Eagle, a large playscape, and four hundred acres of sports fields and woodlands, Zilker... more » Owner description: Home to Barton Springs, the Zilker Eagle, a large playscape, and four hundred acres of sports fields and woodlands, Zilker Park is a popular weekend destination.

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The Driskill

The Driskill

Ranked #7 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 149 reviews

Category: Architectural Buildings; Historic Sites

 

 

 

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Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Ranked #8 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 112 reviews

Category: Gardens; Nature/ Wildlife Areas

Owner description: The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin is a 279-acre public garden dedicated to...  Owner description: The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin is a 279-acre public garden dedicated to increasing the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes. Founded by Mrs. Johnson and Actress Helen Hayes in 1982, the Wildflower Center brings life to her hope to preserve the beauty and regional identify of natural landscapes. The Center features acres of Texas wildflower gardens, award-winning architecture, nature trails, a café and gift shop.

More:  In honor of Mrs. Johnson's 100th birthday, celebrations have been planned through out the year. Take a look and see if there are happenings in your area.  http://ladybirdjohnson.org/

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SoCo District

SoCo District

Ranked #9 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 113 reviews

Category: Neighborhoods

Trendy Austin area south of Congress Avenue.

 

 

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Town Lake

Town Lake

Ranked #10 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 43 reviews

Category: Bodies of Water

Owner description: Visitors can rent canoes or rowboats along this part of Lake Austin that flows five miles through the heart of downtown...  Owner description: Visitors can rent canoes or rowboats along this part of Lake Austin that flows five miles through the heart of downtown Austin.

 

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South Congress Avenue

South Congress Avenue

Ranked #11 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 179 reviews

Category: Landmarks/ Points of Interest

Street lined with lots of great restaurants.

 

 

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Austin City Limits Live

As featured in Day trips from San Antonio

Austin City Limits Live

Ranked #12 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 51 reviews

Category: Theaters

Austin City Limits     According to the mythology, Austin City Limits is taped on an Austin hillside above the city. In reality, the show is recorded in a KLRU-TV television... more »

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Barton Creek - Fazio Canyons Golf Course

Ranked #13 of 186 attractions in Austin

5 of 5 stars 9 reviews

Category: Golf Courses

Owner description: This 7,161-yard, par-72 layout course boasts the signature of Tom Fazio, the legendary golf designer, and is considered to be... more » Owner description: This 7,161-yard, par-72 layout course boasts the signature of Tom Fazio, the legendary golf designer, and is considered to be one of the best in Texas.

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Texas State Cemetery

Texas State Cemetery

Ranked #14 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 43 reviews

Category: Cemeteries

Some of Texas' most prominent historical figures are buried in this cemetery.

 

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Zilker Botanical Garden

Zilker Botanical Garden

Ranked #15 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 92 reviews

Category: Gardens

Botanical Gardens includes 31 acres of land with plants that thrive in arid southwestern conditions.

 

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University of Texas at Austin

University of Texas at Austin

Ranked #16 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 96 reviews

Category: Educational Sites

Founded in 1883, this university is steeped in history.

 

 

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Mount Bonnell

Mount Bonnell

Ranked #17 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 121 reviews

Category: Scenic/ Historic Walking Areas; Parks; Landmarks/ Points of Interest; Lookouts

Beautiful park looming almost 800 feet over Austin.

 

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Violet Crown Cinema

Ranked #18 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 11 reviews

Category: Movie Theaters

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Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum

Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum

Ranked #19 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 167 reviews

Category: Libraries; History Museums; Historic Sites; Museums

This famous museum explores the life and service of the former president through exhibits and memorabilia.

More at:  http://www.lbjlibrary.org/

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Viva Day Spa

Viva Day Spa

Ranked #20 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 23 reviews

Category: Spas

 

 

 

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Zilker Zephyr Miniature Train

Zilker Zephyr Miniature Train

Ranked #21 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 43 reviews

Category: Scenic Railroads

The Zilker Zephyr Mini Train Zilker Zephyr is a great way to see the Ziker Metropolitan Park . The prices are $2.00 for children and $3.00 for adults. Children under one are free... more »

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Congress Avenue Bridge/Austin Bats

As featured in Day trips from San Antonio

Congress Avenue Bridge/Austin Bats

Ranked #22 of 186 attractions in Austin

4 of 5 stars 256 reviews

Category: Bridges; Nature/ Wildlife Areas

The Austin bridge is where nearly 1.5 million bats live.

More at: http://www.batcon.org/index.php/get-involved/visit-a-bat-location/congress-avenue-bridge.html

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The Broken Spoke

The Broken Spoke

Ranked #23 of 186 attractions in Austin

4 of 5 stars 114 reviews

Category: Bar/ Clubs; Dance Club/ Discos; Dams; Country Western Bars

 

 

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Harry Ransom Center

Harry Ransom Center

Ranked #24 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 14 reviews

Category: Libraries; Art Galleries

A description of some of the items that are contained in the center

 

 

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Chapel Dulcinea

Chapel Dulcinea

Ranked #25 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 14 reviews

Category: Churches/ Cathedrals

 

 

 

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Zach Theatre

Ranked #26 of 186 attractions in Austin

5 of 5 stars 9 reviews

Category: Theaters

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Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum

Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum

Ranked #27 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 16 reviews

Category: Art Museums

Sculptor Charles Umlauf's home and studio, featuring over 250 sculptures.

 

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Elisabet Ney Museum

Elisabet Ney Museum

Ranked #28 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 12 reviews

Category: Art Museums

Owner description: Sculptor Elisabeth Ney spent the last years of her life working in this building, which still contains some of her most...  Owner description: Sculptor Elisabeth Ney spent the last years of her life working in this building, which still contains some of her most beautiful sculpted pieces.

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The Blanton Museum of Art

The Blanton Museum of Art

Ranked #29 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 32 reviews

Category: Art Museums

The Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin is one of the foremost university art museums in the country.  It has the largest and most comprehensive collection... more »

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Zilker Playground

Zilker Playground

Ranked #30 of 186 attractions in Austin

4.5 of 5 stars 20 reviews

Category: Playgrounds

Owner description: This 351 acre park is home to a variety of recreation opportunities and special events for the individual or the whole... more » Owner description: This 351 acre park is home to a variety of recreation opportunities and special events for the individual or the whole family.

From: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g30196-Activities-Austin_Texas.html

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On This Day:

Boulder Dam in Nevada, Sept 11 1936: 

http://postnoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/history_events_between_sept10_to_sept16_postnoon_news_3.jpg

“Sept 11 1936 – Boulder Dam in Nevada was dedicated by US President Franklin D Roosevelt when he turned on the dam’s first hydroelectric
generator. The dam is now called Hoover Dam.”

Is it Hoover Dam or Boulder Dam ...?
... or what's in name when politicians get involved?

“How Hoover Dam got to be officially named that is a convoluted story and involves politics and events not specifically related to the project other than the impact it has had on the southwest.

Hoover Dam Spillway

Apparently many people and politicians were resentful of how Herbert Hoover handled the economy when he was president and did not want Hoover's name associated with a project that was so beneficial to the southwest. While Hoover was the most critical player in getting the project underway naming the project after him was seen as a political statement and seemed to take advantage of the fact that the original site for the project was moved.”    More at: http://www.sunsetcities.com/hoover-dam/is_it_hoover_dam_or_boulder_dam.html

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Attack on America, Sep 11, 2001:

“At 8:45 a.m. on a clear Tuesday morning, an American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80th floor of the 110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds more in higher floors. As the evacuation of the tower and its twin got underway, television cameras broadcasted live images of what initially appeared to be a freak accident.

Then, 18 minutes after the first plane hit, a second Boeing 767--United Airlines Flight 175--appeared out of the sky, turned sharply toward the World Trade Center, and sliced into the south tower at about the 60th floor. The collision caused a massive explosion that showered burning debris over surrounding buildings and the streets below. America was under attack.

As millions watched in horror the events unfolding in New York, American Airlines Flight 77 circled over downtown Washington and slammed into the west side of the Pentagon military headquarters at 9:45 a.m. Jet fuel from the Boeing 757 caused a devastating inferno that led to a structural collapse of a portion of the giant concrete building. All told, 125 military personnel and civilians were killed in the Pentagon along with all 64 people aboard the airliner.

Meanwhile, a fourth California-bound plane--United Flight 93--was hijacked about 40 minutes after leaving Newark International Airport in New Jersey. The passengers fought the four hijackers and are suspected to have attacked the cockpit with a fire extinguisher. The plane then flipped over and sped toward the ground at upwards of 500 miles per hour, crashing in a rural field in western Pennsylvania at 10:10 a.m. All 45 people aboard were killed.”

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Father's note changes family's 9/11 account

This is the note from Randy Scott, who was killed in Two World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. The Scott family recently received a letter Randy wrote and threw from a window of the building after the airplanes hit the towers. The family has loaned the letter to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

“Denise Scott learned of her husband's message in August 2011, just weeks before the calendar marked a decade since he died in the World Trade Center's collapse.

For those 10 years, his family members believed he likely died instantly when United Airlines Flight 175 flew into the tower at 9:03 a.m., near the floors containing Euro Brokers offices.

The words of Denise and her children overlap as they consider how the note changed their oral history of Randy's final moments. Each delivers a piece of the agonizing account as though trying to spare the others.

"I spent 10 years hoping that Randy wasn't trapped in that building," Denise, 57, said Friday from her Stamford home with two of her three daughters, Rebecca, 29, and Alexandra, 22, at her side.  "I thought he was killed instantly," Rebecca interjected.  "It was so close to impact," Alexandra concluded.

Randy Scott's daughters fought tears as his message again triggered new mental images.  In a steady tone, their mother explained the power of the note. "You don't want them to suffer. They're trapped in a burning building. It's just an unspeakable horror. And then you get this 10 years later. It just changes everything."

"84th floor      West Office      12 people trapped"

It is not these words alone that change the narrative of Randy Scott's final moments. The other content on the note is a dark spot, about the size of a thumbprint. It is Randy's blood, and the clue that eventually enabled the medical examiner's office to trace the source of the note through DNA tests and deliver it to his family a decade after he apparently tossed it from the 84th floor.”     More at: http://www.chron.com/news/article/Father-s-note-changes-family-s-9-11-account-3850490.php

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Yesterday:

Another lovely day without using the AC for very long, and that was just around the hottest part of the day at 3.00pm.  A lot of emails were taken care of and cleared out of my inbox, I hate it when I get so far behind.  I even did some cleaning and clearing outside, before I took Misty for a walk.  Then I brushed, bathed and brush-dried her, but that wore her out, so I didn’t finish grooming her.

Then Claudia called to say that little Maddie, the tiny Yorkie, wasn’t feeling well, so that had everybody up in arms and a flurry of phone calls.  Roni  from down the street wanted to give her Burdock Root, Jay wanted to give her aloe vera, and I wanted them to take her the vet.  They gave her some NutriGel, and I guess they are going to see how she is today.

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