Creative Fund Trivia Night This Week

 

We're on for a Creative Fund Trivia Night fundraiser this Thursday at 7p (on Zoom).  Visit the Facebook event page for more information on how to buy tickets.  

The Creative Fund raises money to help Austin performing artists pay venue rental fees.  

[2/3/22 update:  The event was a lot of fun!   Stay tuned here to find out when we're doing this again, and if it will be on Zoom or in person.]

Gus on TikTok

Photo by Taurus Dog Academy

 

Gus loves going to the Taurus Dog Academy.  So, I was excited to see that he was featured on their TikTok yesterday (showing some of the interesting breeds at daycare).  Furthermore, if you live in Austin I highly recommend Taurus for your dog daycare and boarding needs.  

What makes Gus an interesting breed, you might ask?  While in the above photo he looks like a large white Lab, he's actually 1/2 Labrador Retriever and 1/2 Great Pyrenees (you can see the Great Pyrenees in him in the photo below).  We refer to him as a "Pyrador", though Taurus calls him a "Great Labrenees" in the video.   

Camping: Guadalupe Mountains

Pine Springs at Sunset

The Pine Springs Campground in Guadalupe Mountains National Park is lovely at sunset (see photo about).  It also offers a great view of Hunter Peak and easy access to multiple hiking trails.  These are all good things.  However.... the wind is no joke (see video).  I strongly advise showing up with a tent which can handle wind (like my Nemo tent: strong poles and a low profile), plenty of stakes, and lines which can tie the tent to rocks.  I had considered taking a 35lb kettlebell out there (though after car consolidation for the road trip, it did not make the cut) and may do it next time (if nothing else, for peace of mind).  The last thing I want to deal with after a day of vigorous hiking is to retrieve my tent from a field of cactus and brush.  

Other notes from the campground: 

• The cell service seems better than it was in 2020.
• If you are wondering what the lights off the east are, the answer is oil wells.
• Remember there is nowhere to buy food for about 50 minutes in any direction, so pack accordingly.  There is potable water by the restroom, but that's a decent walk from the campsites so take water containers.  
• Keep your food secure.  Not only will the critters on the ground attempt to take your food, but the ravens will as well.
• Have a wind screen solution in mind for camp stoves.
• The limit is two tents per site.
• This year, all of our camp neighbors were quiet and polite.  Last year, I was treated to a pair of annoying yet hilarious camp neighbors who probably were stoned as they loudly pontificated about the virtues of a make-your-own-pizza restaurant one wanted to open (just like Kramer dreamed of in Seinfeld).  The quote of the night was "it's just sad how Americans are brainwashed to pick up the phone and order a pizza with whatever toppings they want whenever they want one." (Damn, when you say it that way it does sound like we live in a culinary wasteland.)  Sadly there was no such free entertainment on this last trip.  On the plus side though, most people I've met in this park are friendly and very enthusiastic about enjoying the hiking trails.  
• Seriously, tie that tent down.  

 

Food: Steak Marinade

 

Last night I decided to grill outside (before the cold front).  In my possession were a couple of small (as in 2/3 lbs) grass-fed ribeyes from HEB.  I thought it would be fun to use a marinade I'd used before on similar cuts.  It turns out I was right.  Deliciously right.

Here's what I went with:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 balsamic vinegar
• 2 cloves of crushed garlic
• 2 tablespoons of dried rosemary
• 2 tablespoons of ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of salt

I marinaded the steaks in a bag for 8 hours (including 40 min).  Afterwards they were cooked medium rare on my grill.  I thought the result was excellent, as did my wife.  I served the steaks with crab cakes. 

While I didn't do it this time, for a future dinner I'll add in roasted new potatoes w/ rosemary and roasted asparagus.  Furthermore next time I plan to keep the garlic and add fresh rosemary (as opposed to the dried, bottle variety).  

West Texas Road Food: Ft. Stockton

 

I-10 Scenery Near Ft. Stockton

The road from Austin to Guadalupe Mountains and Big Bend National Parks is long and desolate in many places (such as in the photo above).  On the trip to the Guadalupe Mountains last week, one of my friends suggested stopping at Burrito Express in Ft. Stockton.  This turned out to be a fantastic suggestion and we'll be stopping at Burrito Express next time we're in the area.   The only downside to this place is that it closes at 3p and is closed on Sunday.

For dinner:  I haven't been to Dragon Buffet in Ft. Stockton, but a friend who has eaten at Chinese buffets all over the world recently gave it his stamp of approval.  If he likes it, then it's good.  

[Note: I haven't forgotten... I do have posts on the Grand Canyon and the Guadalupe Mountains in the pipeline.]

Trivia: Creative Fund Fundraiser in the Works

 

There is a virtual trivia fundraiser for The Creative Fund in the works.  Yes, I will be co-hosting.  

Save the date for February 3rd (tentative).  Stay tuned for more information (i.e., links to register) and final confirmation of the date.  

More Hiking Info on the Way

I've been busy traveling, but there is more information on hiking in the Grand Canyon and in the Guadalupe Mountains forthcoming.   

Whataburger Expanding in Middle Tennessee

Nashville, you have given us hot chicken thus it's only fair we send more Texas deliciousness your way.  Residents of Nashville and the surrounding areas are in luck.  While there is currently a Whataburger on Old Hickory Blvd, several more locations are slated to open in the Middle Tennessee area in 2022.  

Speaking of other Texas foods in Nashville, you have on the list (including but not limited to) Hopdoddy and Chuy's (both of which were founded in Austin).   Furthermore, I've had Texas-style brisket at Martin's which was quite tasty.   And, you apparently now have the largest Buc-ee's in existence located a few hours away in Sevierville (which seems wrong to have outside of Texas).

 

Movie Recs

I've seen a few new movies in the past couple of months (a vague statement, I know).  Of these, the two I've enjoyed most (and enjoyed enough to recommend) are:

• Dune
• Licorice Pizza

Assuming you are comfortable visiting a theater, both of these movies should be seen on the big screen.