Texas Visit

Although it was totally amazing and worth every minute to get there and see the eclipse, it lasted only about 4 minutes. That meant that besides the time to find a car rental spot that still had cars available [after my reserved option fell through] the several hours driving from Austin to Waco, the time spent looking for a good spot for viewing, as well as the occasional meal and sleeping, there were still long periods of time available for actual Texas experiences.

Texas! Not just a place to see an eclipse.

After all, it was Austin, the state capitol.

Where hot sauce options are available on the breakfast table.

And waffles are shaped like the state.

We stayed in the university district not too far from the impressive capitol building, seen in the background, the lone star flag in the foreground.

And very close to the Bullock State History Museum.

An impressive place, it’s filled with amazing and interesting artifacts, stories and information.

And busloads of school children on field trips.

Most impressive to me? The remains of the ship La Belle, which in 1686 was wrecked in a storm and sank south of what is now Houston in Matagorda Bay. It was full of cargo and supplies.

In 1995 the wreck and most all of its contents were discovered and excavated by archeologists.

So, so, so amazing. For more information check it out here.

But that’s not all! Only a few blocks from the history museum is the Blanton Art Museum. On the last day and because the plane was leaving in the late afternoon, there was enough time to visit.

The courtyard is filled with this gorgeous and impressive sculptural installation by Snohetta.

For more about ‘Petals,’ go here.

Beautiful.

A total surprise, the main exhibit in the museum, ‘The Floating World; Masterpieces of Edo Japan.’ Over 130 woodblock prints and painted scrolls from 1603 – 1868.

Wow! Wow! and Wow!

I could have spent days in there.

Even several from Hokusai, including ‘Fuji at Gottenyama’ from his 1831 36 views of Mt Fugi series..

The clock was ticking, I had to finish up to allow enough time to rush through the Anni Albers exhibit.

Yes, right next to the Japanese prints exhibit was ‘Anni Albers: In Thread and on Paper.’

It was as though the museum exhibition staff realized I was coming to Texas and they wanted to make sure some of my favorites would be up and on view.

A rug design.

Absolutely gorgeous.

This lady was a genius.

A print from her 1978 triangulated series.

At this point time really was ticking, it was time to head to the airport, but first, one fast dash upstairs for a quick glance to see what was there. Can you believe it? There was an installation by Marie Watt! A Portland artist and member of the Seneca tribe. Entitled ‘Sky Dances,’ a sculpture inspired by the jingle ornamentations sewn onto native American women’s regalia. Historically, jingles were made from tobacco tin lids and rolled into cone shapes, then sewn onto their dresses. Worn for ceremonies and special events so that as the wearer dances and moves the sounds from the jingles radiate strength and resilience.

As you moved through the exhibit, you would brush by the jingles and activate them so that not only your visual but also you auditory senses were engaged.

So good.

All this and an eclipse too.

Thank you Texas!

One more things, in honor of Mother’s day, a beautiful song by Texas musician, Leon Bridges, about his mother, Lisa Sawyer.

Check it out here.

The lyrics, here.