March 17, 2018 - LBJ Library + SXSW 2018

Today we headed into the city to visit the LBJ Presidential Library and also took a tour of the city as well as roamed the streets while the SXSW festival is going on.
LBJ was taller than most presidents.  It is said that it was only one of his features to convince legislators into action.

 As usual, there were some that people wouldn't give him credit for the many good things he had accomplished.

Johnson quote

 Johnson was a supporter of education as well as the Arts.

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 One of several murals in the library.

 This desk was used when he signed the Voting Rights Act in 1965.

 Once the recording machines came around, he was a great fan of using them to record history, and conversations with notable leaders.

 A list of LBJ's accomplishments.

 In 1967, this ATT teletype Model L015 was used to communicate directly with Russia.

 Foreign policy isn't easy if you don't want to take sides. 

 He also knew that the Vietnam War was not winnable.

 Just to clear things up, back in the 60's, the military adopted the M-16.

 M-16 on top, AK 47 on bottom.

 LBJ's Oval Office mock up and his desk.

 He tried to make a phone available where ever he went. He ended up recording 642 hours of information and communication.

 The flags of the Military Services in his Oval Office.

 A meeting back in 1964.

 Lady Bird's Office.

 Note her filing system.  On the floor, ready for out the door.

 Johnson appointed Thurgood Marshall the first African American to the Supreme Court.

Once we found a parking spot, we walked down to where the SXSW action was to take a tour of the city.    For more info about the festival, visit  SXSW Film festival

 For the occasion, Bud made a special brew.

 The Music store where we met the tour guide and van.

 On the tour around the city thru AOTOURSAUSTIN.COM. we found out that land was donated for educational purposes.    Eventually oil was found underground on the land and has become the source of Educational funds for education.  This is the Santa Rita #1. It was the first oil pump installed on the land. Today, the funds total around 14 Billion and are used by 13 colleges and universities.

 The U Texas football stadium that holds 100,000 fans.

Michael and Susan Dell (Dell Computers) donated money to start a Medical School.  The school was built as well as a hospital.

A statue of the man (Willie Nelson )who could have been the President of the US...if it was up to the vote of the people of Austin.

The bridge in the background, Congress Avenue Bridge became known as Bat Bridge.  It was discovered that millions of bats stayed under the bridge.  They do provide a service to the people of Austin as they eat insects.  The Texas State Mammal (flying) is the Mexican Free Tailed Bat because of what they have done for the citizens of the state.  They will migrate back by the beginning of April.

The home the World Golf Championships Match Play at Austin Country Club.  Time to change travel plans.

Since it is St Paddy's Day, the fans were out in force.  They are the ones in Green.

Even though is was a Film and Musical festival, this was our T-shirt of the day.

By the way, The U Maine Women's team lost tonight to the U Texas women's team 83 to 54.  Congratulations to the U Maine Women's players for making it to the tournament this year.