Ribs on the porch, sun and temps in the high 80s, and roses galore! Texas receives a big thumbs up from Linda and me. We started our journey today at Beaumont’s beautiful botanical gardens. Texans struck it rich with the state’s first oil well in Beaumont in 1901. The city is also famous as the home town of Babe Didrikson Zaharias, an Olympic track and field champion. She was also considered to be one of the greatest golfers of all time.
The botanical gardens in Beaumont feature beautiful pathways that wind through azaleas, roses, orchids, and bromeliads. Roses of all hues, their delicate aromas scenting the air, cheer the soul, while the nearby Japanese garden offers peace and simplicity.
Linda and I enjoyed our leisurely walk there, surrounded by beauty. It was a lovely way to start our day’s journey to Austin. The sign near the pond, however, made me think of my friend, Dorinne, who is an avid gardener but is petrified of snakes. It said: “Beware of Snakes in Rocks.” I wondered which would win out if she were here, her desire to see the flowers or her aversion to snakes.
On the road we saw a huge power plant and elegant egrets. We also passed a few unfortunate deer and a couple of armadillos who hadn’t made it across the road alive. Halfway along, we stopped for what I call a John lunch (cheap and packed on ice). I bought a coffee from McDonald’s and we parked in the shade and feasted on boiled eggs we’d cooked in New Orleans, salami, cheese, peanut butter sandwiches, ginger beer, and sesame covered almonds. Not bad at all!
The tall buildings of Austin soon appeared in the distance. I had approached the city with a bit of apprehension after Linda’s doomsday tales of driving there. But we arrived on a sleepy Saturday afternoon, and entry into the city, if not a piece of cake, was fairly smooth and uneventful (always good on a road trip).
By the time we brought our things to the room and got settled in, it was time for another meal. Since this is Texas, we opted for ribs at the Ironworks Barbecue in a converted ironworks building (could you guess?). Can’t even describe the amazing ribs. Tender, delicious, and HUGE! We sat on the porch, where each table was equipped with a giant roll of paper towels. Believe me, we needed them. I’m still stuffed and I ordered the “junior ribs” —two instead of three—and gave half of one to Linda.
After that treat, Linda—an intrepid friend if there ever there was one—offered to dye my hair. She’s been dying hers but I’ve never attempted it. Since this is a girls’ weekend, I decided to go for it.
We bought the stuff at a local store and I covered up in what felt like a tarp. After asking me about a million times if I was still game to try it, Linda applied the stuff while I made faces.
In the end I think it turned out pretty good, thanks to Linda. If I’d tried it on my own, I would have had to finish the trip with brown stains all over my body. What do you think, John?