Our first full day in Austin dawned hot and cloudy. We decided to spend the day at the University of Texas and the LBJ Museum and Library.
The university campus is sprawling and impressive. we entered from the east, in what can be described as the more modern section. We walked past the Darrel Royal Memorial f
ootball stadium, which looked even more massive close up. Further along, the buildings became older until we arrived at the beautiful Main Building with its infamous bell tower. It was at this site, in 1966, that a former Marine took several firearms to the top floor of the tower and opened fire on the innocent people below. In all, 16 people were killed and several wounded. The shooter was killed by Austin police. Today, there is no inkling of this tragedy: like all university campuses, UT is an island of youthful activity and discourse. Kids were going about their business like students the world over. 
The university campus is sprawling and impressive. we entered from the east, in what can be described as the more modern section. We walked past the Darrel Royal Memorial f
ootball stadium, which looked even more massive close up. Further along, the buildings became older until we arrived at the beautiful Main Building with its infamous bell tower. It was at this site, in 1966, that a former Marine took several firearms to the top floor of the tower and opened fire on the innocent people below. In all, 16 people were killed and several wounded. The shooter was killed by Austin police. Today, there is no inkling of this tragedy: like all university campuses, UT is an island of youthful activity and discourse. Kids were going about their business like students the world over. 
From the Main Bu
ilding, looking south to the Capital Building is a wide, tree-lined promenade of buildings of a colonial style, red-tiled roofed liberal arts buildings. A massive fountain adorned the entrance, and the view can only be described as colossal. It was fit for a procession of emperors.
ilding, looking south to the Capital Building is a wide, tree-lined promenade of buildings of a colonial style, red-tiled roofed liberal arts buildings. A massive fountain adorned the entrance, and the view can only be described as colossal. It was fit for a procession of emperors.We backtracked and spent two interesting hours in the LBJ Presidential Library and 
Museum. The chronicle of LBJ's life was superimposed on the events in the world during those years. Of course, artifacts from his presidency were on full display. The museum was impressive, too, in that it did not attempt to sugar-coat LBJ's failures, especially the Viet Nam War. But what really came to mind was just how socially progressive his administration truly was. He was a great man, a true visionary, a person who honestly tried to make his country a "Great Society" during incredibly turblent times. I found myself wondering if such things could ever be duplicated in our meaner and more conservative times. The 1960' s were indeed a time where liberals who were motivated to do good in the world could actually do so: the Kennedys, Johnson, Trudeau, King and many others were willing to pay huge prices to bring about the change necessary to promote a better world. I also found myself thinking about the current occupant of the White House, and wished him well in his endeavours: somehow, I think he will have a more difficult time than any of his predecessors, and some of them were killed for their efforts.
Museum. The chronicle of LBJ's life was superimposed on the events in the world during those years. Of course, artifacts from his presidency were on full display. The museum was impressive, too, in that it did not attempt to sugar-coat LBJ's failures, especially the Viet Nam War. But what really came to mind was just how socially progressive his administration truly was. He was a great man, a true visionary, a person who honestly tried to make his country a "Great Society" during incredibly turblent times. I found myself wondering if such things could ever be duplicated in our meaner and more conservative times. The 1960' s were indeed a time where liberals who were motivated to do good in the world could actually do so: the Kennedys, Johnson, Trudeau, King and many others were willing to pay huge prices to bring about the change necessary to promote a better world. I also found myself thinking about the current occupant of the White House, and wished him well in his endeavours: somehow, I think he will have a more difficult time than any of his predecessors, and some of them were killed for their efforts.This evening found us wandering the night-life strip of 6th Ave. We've never seen such a dense collection of bars, restaurants, and night clubs. We enjoyed a superb Texas barbeque at the venerable Stubb's ( brisket, ribs, sweet potato, ochre, cole slaw ) that melted in your mouth. We wandered past clubs that ranged from seedy to classy. Some of the street people looked like real creatures, while most were a combination of beer-swilling college kids to respectable middle-agers , like us !! We returned with full bellies a little early, and resolved to stay out a little later tomorrow.
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