In November 2006 I spent almost three weeks in Austin, Texas. I was working at the offices my employer has there, but I managed to fit in some sightseeing too.
I was lucky enough to be able to tag along on a visit some Wind Analysts from the office were making to a wind farm under construction near Abilene. This was a fair distance from Austin so I got to see some of the Texas countryside.
Windmills like this one were used to raise water from deep underground
This “Nodding Donkey” pumps just a few barrels a day from an almost exhausted oil field
You only get a feel for just how massive modern wind turbines are when you stand close to one. These half built turbines will stand nearly 90 metres high when completed
The wind farm will have 200 turbines with more in a planned extension
At the weekend I caught the bus from outside my hotel into the centre of the city. Much to my surprise Austin has a very good bus network. An unlimited travel Day Pass costs just $1 so it’s an excellent way to explore the town.
I got off near the Texas State History Museum. This was a place well worth visiting. Numerous displays show the history of the area from pre-historic times through the Spanish occupation to annexation by the United States. From visiting the Texas Embassy restaurant in London I knew a little of the history of the Republic of Texas and I wanted to learn more.
An interesting display contained the peace treaty between Texas and the United Kingdom signed by Queen Victoria. The displays went on to explain the end of the Republic. Due to excessive debt spending with little income the government was essentially bankrupt. In exchange for annexation the United States took over the debt repayments.
Further displays cover Texas’s involvement in the Civil War which was something that I hadn’t known about. Other displays chart the development of the oil industry in Texas.
The State History Museum building
From the museum I walked the short distance south to the Texas Capitol building. I took an excellent free tour of the building which included both chambers of the Texas Congress.
The Texas Capitol is the largest of all of the state capitol buildings and is 5 metres taller than the National Capitol in Washington, DC
If you’ve got some free time in Austin I can thoroughly recommend visiting both the State History Museum and the Texas Capitol buildings.