Help Austin Energy Stop Scams

We've received these scam calls.  The scammers spoofed Austin Energy's number, so be aware.

Air Travel: Non-Stops to Vancouver

 

Air Canada will start offering direct flights from Austin to Vancouver on June 1st.   The flights will be on a 737 MAX, so evaluate your comfort level with said aircraft before getting too excited.   The infamous plane has a checked past though Boeing and the FAA say it's safe now (and since we're talking about Air Canada: Transport Canada is cool with it as well).  

Air Travel: Austin Getting Direct Route to Amsterdam

 

If you (like me) have been flying in and out of Austin since the days when Mueller was actually an airport, you (like me) probably fine news of international direct flights from Austin to be exciting.  So, I was pleased to see that we're getting a direct KLM flight from Austin to Amsterdam starting next month.  

That's all.  Carry on enjoying today's ice storm.  

How and When to Drip your Faucet during Winter Weather

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.  

November 2021 Austin Residential Real Estate Market Statistics

 

Data compares November 2020 to November 2021.  Visit abor.com/marketstatistics for more information and for charts on additional counties in Austin's MSA.   

Visit us at Floyd Real Estate, LLC, if you are thinking about buying or selling property (residential, commercial, or land) in the Central Texas area.   We would be happy to advise you on your real estate related needs.  

Floyd Real Estate is a Texas real estate brokerage, TREC Lic. #9003790

Air Travel: Southwest Offering More Flights From Austin to Mexico

 

In June Southwest Airlines will be adding non-stop flights from Austin to Cozumel (subject to government approval) and will also be resuming non-stop flights to Puerto Vallarta.  Southwest will also be resuming non-stop service to Cabo San Lucas.   You can read more about this on Culture Map or in the latest press release from SWA.  

Maroma Point in Mexico, Between Cancun and Cozumel

Happy Anniversary, Floyd Real Estate

I'm pleased to report that Floyd Real Estate, LLC, is 7 years old.   Since launching the business we have done residential and commercial transactions.  We have enjoyed it and look forward to another exciting year.   Contact us if you're thinking of buying or selling property in the Central Texas area.  

Grand Canyon Trip: Getting There

 

Lobby of the Hotel Monte Vista

So you want to backpack in the Grand Canyon?  That's a great idea and I highly recommend that you do it.  Now you ask, what's the best way to get there if you are planning to enter the canyon from the south rim?  Here's what we did and what I recommend: fly to Las Vegas and drive to Flagstaff.  I've been to the Grand Canyon twice before, both times after driving up from Phoenix.  It's a nice drive (and coming back off the Mogollon Rim offers some great views) which can afford a detour in Sedona (recommended).  However, for our trip Vegas had better flight options (Southwest from Austin to LAS was cheaper than to PHX) with the bonus of a fly-by of the canyon (sit on the starboard side of the plane on the flight to LAS).  We rented an Outback which provided ample room for 4 people and their backpacking gear.   We then drove from Vegas to Kingman whereupon we hit I-40 and headed to Flagstaff.  It was an easy drive.  

We decided to spend the night in Flagstaff before making the hour and half drive to Grand Canyon National Park.  As for Flagstaff:

• Flagstaff has a large, well stocked REI staffed by knowledgable people.  I recommend that you buy your stove fuel online and have it waiting for you when you roll into town.  
• I recommend a stay at the Hotel Monte Vista.  It's a cool old hotel with a lot of charm.  
• You can visit their website to read up on the old-school actors who stayed their while filming westerns in the area.  
• You can walk to many bars and restaurants in the adjacent blocks.  I recommend less drinking and more eating to fuel up for canyon hiking.
• Also, it's allegedly haunted (I had zero paranormal experiences whilst staying there, but maybe you will get lucky).
• On two previous trips to Flagstaff I visited the Lowell Observatory.  I highly recommend going to the observatory for a tour.  It was founded by Percival Lowell (yes, the very same gentleman who theorized that canals on Mars were probably build by an intelligent civilization) and it's where Pluto was discovered.
• The south entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park is 79 miles from Flagstaff.  Once you're in the park you'll still have to drive around to find a parking place.   We entered the canyon from the South Kaibab trailhead while leaving the car by the Bright Angel trailhead.  There is a free shuttle which will take you from Bright Angel to South Kaibab, but there may be a wait so factor that in as well.  

Now you're at the trailhead.  I'll follow up with more posts about the hike and about gear at some point, so stay tuned.

Backpacking: Grand Canyon

On the South Kaibab Trail

A couple of weeks ago I alluded to training for a backpacking trip.   Well, said allusion was to backpacking in the Grand Canyon National Park for 4 days/3 nights.  It was a fantastic experience which I highly recommend if you are an outdoor enthusiast.   The backpacking part was bookended with stays in Flagstaff and Las Vegas, both of which were fun.  

I have a fair amount of material to cover regarding the trip, thus I'm going to spread out the information over a few posts.   Stay tuned...

October 2021 Austin Residential Real Estate Market Statistics

Data compares October 2020 to October 2021.  Visit abor.com/marketstatistics for more information and for charts on additional counties in Austin's MSA.   

Visit us at Floyd Real Estate, LLC, if you are thinking about buying or selling property (residential, commercial, or land) in the Central Texas area.   We would be happy to advise you on your real estate related needs.  

Floyd Real Estate is a Texas real estate brokerage, TREC Lic. #9003790

Hiking: Guadalupe Mountains National Park

On the Tejas Trail in the Guadalupe Mountains

Have you wondered where the highest point in Texas is located?  It's Guadalupe Peak, way out in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas.  You can see the backside of it in the above photo which I took while hiking in Guadalupe Mountains National Park (GUMO).  The park is located about 50 miles north of Van Horn (which is about 120 miles from El Paso on I-10) and is relatively close to Carlsbad (home of the eponymous caverns).  Why am I posting about this?  I'm going in  2022 (relatively early, before it's too hot).

I've hiked in the park twice.  The first time was to the top of Guadalupe Peak.  The second time, I did the Bowl Loop (short version) which included going to the top of Hunter Peak and this (pictured above) sunset hike down the Tejas Trail.  On the second trip I also hiked Devil's Hall and visited the sand dunes (on the other side of the park, near Dell City).  Not only do I recommend visiting GUMO, but I also recommend any of the above excursions.  

Here are a few thoughts, compressed into bullet points instead of flowing prose:

• You must now reserve a campsite in the Pine Springs campground.  The freewheeling days of first-come-first-serve are over.  
• See my previous post on hiking up Guadalupe Peak.   Obviously, the above bullet point supersedes the previous point on Pine Springs.  Also, if you camp on the peak trail (backpacking style) you must now pack out your own solid waste (like you might do for your dog at the dog park).
• I highly recommend taking hiking poles.  There are plenty of areas with loose rocks and an incline.  My poles kept me from doing a face-plant while walking down the Tejas Trail.
• Pack plenty of water.   On the trails I have hiked, there is none.   Also, it's the desert and you will lose more water than you think.  
• Another thing about the trails: the Guadalupe Peak trail is well-trafficked.   Not so much for the other trails I've been on.  When I hiked up to the Bowl, I ran into one person over the course of several hours.  Cell coverage is almost non-existent, so if you go alone then let someone know where you're going.  
• Visit the Salt Basin Dunes at sunset.  The sight of the twilight on the sides of the cliff walls below the peak is fantastic.  

These are my preliminary thoughts as I'm planning for the upcoming trip.  I'll post an update about the trip (should it reveal itself to be a post-worthy experience).  

Looking East, From Top of Hunter Peak

Backside of Guadalupe Peak, Seen From Tejas Trail

Floyd Real Estate: AYLA Tailgate Sponsorship

 

Floyd Real Estate was a Championship Sponsor of the Austin Young Lawyer's Association ("AYLA") tailgate last Saturday.  Here's what I posted on our Floyd Real Estate Facebook page:

On Saturday Floyd Real Estate was proud to have been a championship level sponsor of the Austin Young Lawyers Association (AYLA) Tailgate for a Cause benefitting the YMCA Holiday Toy Drive. It was a fun event, and we appreciate AYLA's fundraising efforts for the Austin community.

 It's great being back out and sponsoring events again.  In September we had the real estate brokerage sponsor an AYLA Docket Call happy hour at Star Bar.   My wife and I enjoy working with AYLA as we were once active members and were both on the board (you can scroll through the archives for more on some of our past activities).  

Podcast Reviews Face/Off; I Recommend Some Movies

 If you have ever seen the movie Face/Off, you should listen to the podcast How Did This Get Made? review it.  I saw Face/Off in the theater and maybe once while procrastinating reading cases during law school.  I had forgotten how delightfully over-the-top nuts said movie is.  Thanks to the panel of comedians commenting and the source material the podcast is hilarious.  I was listened to it while training for a backpacking trip and kept stopping to laugh.  

If you're looking for good movies with Nicolas Cage, I highly recommend Raising Arizona.  It is a bona fide classic and should be viewed by anyone who likes comedy.  

My favorite John Travolta movie is Pulp Fiction, with Get Shorty in second place (you've probably seen the former, but if you haven't seen the latter it is worth watching).  If you want to watch a period drama about 1980's Houston (and that is a big "if"), then rent Urban Cowboy.  

Sci-Fi: Dune

 Like Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049, this movie needs to be seen on a big screen.  I'm not going to get into detail about the film itself (the internet is already full of reviews and commentary on it), but I will  say the visuals are amazing and it paces the source material well.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and am probably going to see it again at an IMAX.  

If you are unfamiliar with the Dune source material, Screen Rant has some good background articles (though I disagree with their review calling the movie "emotionless").  Also, this version of Dune is explicitly part 1 of a larger story, so don't be surprised when it ends abruptly (about halfway through the book).  Part 2 of Dune is slated to come out in October 2023.  

Zilker Area News: Ski Shores on Barton Springs to Become Lou's

Earlier tonight I read on Eater Austin that McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality has bought both locations of Ski Shores.   Each restaurant is now closed for renovations.   While the original Lake Austin location (opened in 1954) is being spruced up but essentially remaining the same, the landlocked Barton Springs location (formerly an Austin Java before a run as Irish themed Darcy's Donkey) will reopen with the name Lou's.  Eater Austin says Lou's will have a casual menu and should be open by March 2022.  

Trivia Night Update

 

As you may know, we had to cancel our live and in-person August trivia night.   We are currently aiming for a return to live trivia in mid-late January.  I'll announce the date/location here, but you can also follow the Floyd Real Estate Trivia Series on Facebook*.

*We have no plans to move trivia to the metaverse.  

Zilker Area News: Tiny Pies Coming to Lamar Union

 

I saw this on Saturday while walking to breakfast at Maudie's (tacos make great fuel for an early trip out to COTA for F1 United States Grand Prix related events).   Tiny Pies is coming to Lamar Union, to work out of the space formerly occupied by a purveyor of fancy juice drinks (not smoothies, as a friend told me he was once castigated for using the wrong beverage terminology).   I don't have any additional details; now that you have seen a photo of the sign you have as much information as I do.  What I can tell you is that in the event you have not tried Tiny Pies, they make some delicious products.  

[11/11/21 Update: They are open.]

The Night Owl Podcast

 

The Tavern in Austin

Halloween is coming up, so in the spirit of said holiday I'm again recommending a great podcast on reputedly haunted places in Austin: The Night Owl Podcast.  Whether you are a paranormal enthusiast or a skeptic, many of these episodes feature interesting bits of local history.  Of course, if you're a believer in ghosts then all the better for enjoying the episodes.  

My favorite episodes are about The Tavern and The Clay Pit.  I go into more detail in the post in which I initially recommended The Night Owl Podcast.

September 2021 Austin Residential Real Estate Market Statistics

 

Data compares September 2020 to September 2021.  Visit abor.com/marketstatistics for more information and for charts on additional counties in Austin's MSA.   

Visit us at Floyd Real Estate, LLC, if you are thinking about buying or selling property (residential, commercial, or land) in the Central Texas area.   We would be happy to advise you on your real estate related needs.  

Floyd Real Estate is a Texas real estate brokerage, TREC Lic. #9003790

Zilker Area News: Coyote Sightings

 I've seen on a few neighborhood sites that coyotes have recently been seen in the Zilker neighborhood.  People have even reported daytime sightings, which I recall as hitherto extremely rare.   So, if you live in the area (or any neighborhood near a creek, greenbelt, etc):

• Keep small pets indoors or inside a fenced yard if possible.  
• Coyotes have killed many Zilker cats over the years.  
• Check out these tips on "coyote hazing" in the event you confront one: Humane Society's Coyote Hazing Tips
• Check out the city's information on handling coyotes: City of Austin Coyote Information
• If you are wondering where to buy bear spray, look no further than REI (and if you're a member, said purchase of said bear spray will go toward your dividend).

Cars and Inflation

In case don't read the news plus your staff or private banking family office makes all of your purchases, you may missed that many things are more expensive now than they were in 2019.  Cars are one of these things; not enough supply being chased by increased amounts of money.  Many things are said to be at fault on the supply side, including COVID inspired supply chain problems and chip shortages (blame COVID, a fire in a major chip plant, and our very own snowpocalypse among others for causing the chip issues).  

Where am I going with this?  We bought a car this week and it was already 10% more expensive than if we'd bought the same car at the start of the summer.   I don't see them getting cheaper any time soon.   Furthermore, to get what we wanted we checked the dealer website frequently and were in contact with one of their sales associates for a couple of months (she had the parameters of what we were looking for). So, if you are looking for something new to drive it may take extra effort.  Silver lining, though, is that trade-in values are quite high.  I was pleasantly surprised at the amount they gave us for a 2015 BMW 335i with 80K miles.   My brother had a similar experience earlier in the summer when he sold a Ford F-150 Raptor for almost as much as he'd paid for it 2 years prior.  

Other thoughts: 

• BMW's 335 and 340 cars are fun to drive (as are, I assume, M3's).  You get a plenty of power from the inline 6 (with twin turbo) placed into a relatively small vehicle.  Also, the 3-series is a great size for fitting into the ever-tightening parking of central Austin.  
• Yes, the NXP facility in Oak Hill makes chips for cars and it was knocked offline by power and water shortages during the February 2021 winter storm.   
• If you are in the market for a used car (of the Certified Pre-Owned variety) then you may be impressed by the number of low mileage cars available.  This is because of COVID, of course.  Many leased BMWs, Audis, etc. sat in driveways while people worked from home and/or quarantined.  Now they're being turned in and sold.

[Update:  Here's some advice from Nerdwallet via Market Watch on buying a car these days.]