Texas Part Two - Austin & Dallas

Sorry if this has taken a few days, we have just been enjoying ourselves in Tucson with our amazing hosts Jeff & Brenda.


Austin.
As it turns out, Austin is the Capitol of Texas. Not something you generally think about when visiting Texas. But that's all irrelevant, because we didn't come to Austin for its historical significance as the state capitol (while very interesting nonetheless), we were in Austin for its Texas BBQ (in which it has a reputation for the best BBQ in Texas), and nothing but BBQ. And boy was it good, crazy finger lickin' good. So much so if you were to visit Austin for longer than a 1 week period, you would need to book two seats on the bus or plane back home, its bad.

This is the Franklin Barbecue which is apparently the best BBQ in Austin which was conveniently located  just around the corner from the Air bnb house in which we were staying in. Unfortunately for us it was the type of place that was only open until it was sold out, so its generally closed just after lunch. So in the end we didn't get to eat there but never the less we found an amazing BBQ place.

The Capitol Building, garnished in its own Texas style burnt brown colour from the local stone.

Turns out this was the second best Texas BBQ in Austin, and honestly we could not imagine how this BBQ could get any better. We got the All-You-Can-Eat option for $16.99 and it was simply sublime. I'll let the images portray the true magnificence of this meal.

The plate of Pork Ribs, Pulled Pork and Smoked Chicken. We could order as many of these as we wanted with our All-You-Can-Eat, it was disastrous.

Kristian's new pal George

Our air bnb hosts dogs George and Grace

Texan Memorial

The Texan State Capitol Building. 

Sunset over Austin

Another shot of the Capitol Building. 

And another

Yet another, but pretty spectacular at night. 

More of the insane Texas BBQ, this time it was Chopped Beef, Smoked Turkey and Beef Brisket. It was crazy amazing. 

Dallas

Both nights in Dallas we went to Hoffbrau Steaks which sounds German but it was a true Texas Steakhouse, there will be more photos further down.

As Dallas is a bit of a working town we found out there was a mall 25 minutes out of downtown so we decided to jump on a bus and head down there. Anyway this is the front entrance, pretty nice huh....

A shopping centre in America wouldn't be complete without an oversized Christmas tree surrounded by an icerink.

A good ol' Five Guys hot dog that Kristian managed to add every topping possible to.

I (Lauren) decided to get a haircut at the Toni & Guy Salon in the shopping center, not bad for $50!
Anyway the above picture is me being the 'I' in BIG, turns out theses little signs are all around the city.

Back to the steakhouse we went, this was Kristian's dinner the second night, the meat was beyond tender.

Taking it easy at the restaurant.

Some of downtown Dallas.

As you all know we have been to many many hockey games since we have been in Canada & America but we decided it was about time to see a different sport. Lucky for us the Basketball team the Dallas Mavericks were versing the Charlotte Bobcats on our last night in Dallas. With $8.50 tickets we just couldn't resist.

The American Airlines Center - before the game started obviously.

Getting reading to watch the game.

Panorama shot of the arena.

Cheerleaders.... but they like to be called "dancers" nowadays.

Start of the game

This was a shot of the JumboTron showing one of the Mav Maniacs. It was basically a group of fat buys that danced and put on a show for the rest of the crowd. They were extremely entertaining. 

Mavs win! The comeback was pretty amazing.

Outside of the arena

Christmas decorations in the city.

After hearing all the gangsta music at the basketball Lauren couldn't help dancing on the walk back to our hotel.

The DallasBIG sign across the road of our hotel.

For once in my (Lauren) life I wasn't completely clumsy and I actually managed to catch one of the free t-shirts that they shot out of the t-shirt gun at the Mavs game. Now everyone loves free stuff!

As most of you will know President John F Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas so ofcourse we had to pay our respects and visit the site.
Above is a plaque on the old book depository building. 

The book depository building - second last window at the top on the right is where the gunman supposedly shot at JFK from.

Dealey  Plaza.

Now due to terrible internet connection here at the Grand Canyon we have had to cut this post short as the photos just won't load and we are already a bit behind.

We shall post in a day or two about our wonderful time in Tuscon.

Love you everyone

Lauren & Kristian

xx