Posts Tagged ‘Austin’

The last look at Austin

Hello readers,

This post concludes at long last the photo documenting of my trip to Austin in November, 2012; my second visit to Texas, my first time in Austin, and my first Grand Prix.

DSC_1092

From where the shuttle would drop us off at the end of the day it wasn’t a far walk to check out the State Capitol. Turns out we got there at dramatic light o’clock.

DSC_1093

DSC_1094

DSC_1100

DSC_1103

DSC_1106

Back at the house we stayed at I thought it was necessary to capture what my morning shower looked like each day.

DSC_1107

The shallow depth of field is intentional. I showered without my glasses on of course.

DSC_1108

So; yes. Basically there is a shower attached to the outside of the house at the second floor level. It was a very refreshing way to wake up at 6am.

DSC_1113

Finally it was Sunday. Race day. We walked out to South Congress and waited for the bus to take us to the shuttle loading place.

DSC_1114

DSC_1116

Queuing through a maze of fencing to get on the shuttle to the track.

DSC_1120

From where the shuttle would unload it was probably a kilometer to walk winding through the desert to enter the grounds. This was nearing the end of the walk.

DSC_1123

On race day they had a DJ doing his thing near where we all walked past. I bet that set was really exciting for him.

DSC_1124

Some guys looking for a HO I reckon. (They are cheering for Checo.)

DSC_1129

Of course I fit right in with my fellow Kimi fans.

DSC_1133

As we made our way across the circuit to our seats on race day the Ferrari’s were racing. Here they are behind the safety car.

DSC_1134

DSC_1138

Ferrari’s through a chainlink fence!

DSC_1141

This is the view of the grandstand situated at the end of the back straight (turn 12) as seen from my vantage point at turn 6.

DSC_1145

DSC_1146

On race day I decided that I was going to watch the race and put the camera away. So I made a couple shots to capture some of the mood around the circuit and then enjoyed an incredible race.

DSC_1180

Lewis Hamilton makes his victory lap to the cheers of 117,000 fans in attendance. A fantastic and popular victory, Lewis having tamed the Red Bull on legitimate pace for perhaps the first time in the season and despite no longer being in the hunt for the championship title. As a result, this kept Fernando Alonso’s hopes of winning the title alive for the final race at Sao Paulo. This would be also be Lewis’ final victory driving the McLaren.

DSC_1184

The Ferraris came around in formation on the victory lap. I was quite amazed how much support Ferrari had in America. Although they have not had much attention on the team due to lackluster performance in 2012, you wouldn’t know it to be at the track. The passion for Ferrari is quite amazing and it surrounds the team and their drivers even when they are not winning.

DSC_1188

Behind the bleachers after the race, the sea of humanity, and dust.

DSC_1191

Looking up at the single footbridge across the circuit. It was a bottleneck that turned our movement to molasses.

DSC_1192

Looking back from where we came.

DSC_1193

Cool?

DSC_1201

Yes I still couldn’t get over the cigarette advertising. Smoking cigarettes is sooo cool. Maybe if I smoked cigarettes I would be more popular.

DSC_1204

Found all this when I’d gone out for coffee again the next morning.

DSC_1205

DSC_1206

DSC_1210

This cafe has a patio in the back and when you look out there is just a ravine and a lot of leaves.

DSC_1216

Just a bit of sunburn.

DSC_1217

DSC_1218

DSC_1220

DSC_1222

DSC_1224

DSC_1226

DSC_1227

Now we are at the park near the river, and I had been anticipating this moment since arriving in Austin…

DSC_1229

DSC_1230

DSC_1233

Mostly to pay a visit to this man.

DSC_1234

DSC_1235

DSC_1236

DSC_1241

DSC_1243

DSC_1246

DSC_1248

DSC_1253

DSC_1254

Peaking through the neighborhoods as I walked back towards the home base.

DSC_1256

DSC_1257

DSC_1260

DSC_1263

DSC_1265

DSC_1267

DSC_1268

Damn, I saw that poster and realized immediately I would be back under rain clouds in Vancouver.

DSC_1270

Warning: dead things on a plate. Hm, I hope that was enough notice.

DSC_1275

DSC_1283

Not my favourite book, but a fine tribute to a favourite author. That said, I walked inside excited to have a drink and then immediately walked back out again.

DSC_1295

Then what happened was receiving a note from a friend who realized I was in town and within a couple hours meeting in time for brunch.

DSC_1296

And for observing the wonders of surface tension.

DSC_1297

DSC_1299

DSC_1301

One last look before lift off.

DSC_1303

And another last look at the Circuit of the Americas.

DSC_1304

DSC_1308

I always find it so appropriate to enjoy these surreal moments on either side of travelling.

DSC_1312

This blog has been brought to you by an airport terminal cup of Ben & Jerry’s during your layover, and also by the cup of coffee that the guy at JJ Bean offered me today for free because I was the cool guy who walked up at closing time. Up next? I don’t even know. Nothing so interesting. Thanks for stopping by.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Inconsequent, photos No Comments »

More Formula

DSC_0945

Saturday morning free practice session, Daniel Ricciardo winds through turn 17.

DSC_0950

Sebastian Vettel through the fence at turn 9.

DSC_0958

Turn 9 track marshals.

DSC_0979

Paul di Resta, turn 7.

DSC_0981

Kimi Raikkonen.

DSC_0986

Michael Schumacher.

DSC_0987

Fernando Alonso.

DSC_1004

Lewis Hamilton.

DSC_1014

Kimi Raikkonen at turn 8.

DSC_1051

Felipe Massa.

DSC_1062

Here’s the view looking back up the hill from down near turn 11.

DSC_1068

I dunno who’s that guy.

DSC_1071

Or that guy.

 

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Inconsequent, photos No Comments »

Then the next day happened

DSC_0580

In the morning I went for a walk to explore the neighborhood.

DSC_0581

I knew there was a coffee waiting for me somewhere.

DSC_0583

DSC_0587

They get a lot of mail, okay.

DSC_0588

DSC_0589

In Texas you have to advertise your cigarettes. In Canada we’re just stupid enough to smoke them anyway.

DSC_0590

I think I’ll go in here.

DSC_0591

DSC_0593

Delicious relief.

DSC_0594

Out looking about a bit more.

DSC_0595

DSC_0599

I found Sebastian Vettel Randall for breakfast.

DSC_0602

We are number one at going out for breakfast.

DSC_0604

We knew we could do it.

DSC_0605

DSC_0606

DSC_0607

DSC_0609

Totally thought that said horses.

DSC_0610

DSC_0612

DSC_0613

DSC_0614

Have to give an old girl like this her dues. She’s got so many angles.

DSC_0615

DSC_0616

Or else.

DSC_0618

DSC_0620

Peaking through the fence I found this.

DSC_0621

DSC_0624

Pretty interesting area demographically.

DSC_0625

DSC_0626

I wanted to see it at night.

DSC_0628

DSC_0631

DSC_0632

Not sure if serious.

DSC_0637

Still top of our game. Now with conviction.

DSC_0639

Watched this little cat walk all the way up the path of the alley like there was nothing else to do in the day.

DSC_0641

DSC_0643

DSC_0644

DSC_0648

DSC_0650

Heading downtown.

DSC_0651

DSC_0652

DSC_0656

Encountering a pack of homo photographicus.

DSC_0657

So it turns out twitter is good for some thing. After hearing the tip that this new Formula 1 documentary was screening I picked up tickets online, not really knowing what to expect.

DSC_0664

We arrive and find the venue is the remarkable 97 year old Paramount Theater and we’re seated across the aisle from Sir Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi… no big deal really. Ran in to Ted Kravitz waiting in line for a beer.

DSC_0670

DSC_0667

DSC_0675

DSC_0679

As survivors from a much more dangerous era of Formula 1 racing, Stewart and Fittipaldi spoke about their experiences making the sport safer which the film would chronicle in a humbling way.

I found it quite memorable to see that film in a room filled with Formula 1 faces old and new. Everyone in the theatre was so in to it, difficult not to be when it is the life you live and love. It was a great way to kick off our Grand Prix weekend by getting tapped right in to the culture.

Afterwards we looked around downtown a bit more.

DSC_0684

I wonder how many laws that’s breaking if it was in Vancouver.

DSC_0687

Superbankmobiles.

DSC_0689

Ah yes, homo photographicus is always about.

DSC_0690

DSC_0692

My focus missed but somehow it doesn’t matter.

DSC_0694

DSC_0698

DSC_0701

DSC_0702

DSC_0706

DSC_0708

DSC_0709

Suddenly transported back to the barren streets of SoCo.

DSC_0723

A bit of not affordable window shopping.

DSC_0724

But that jacket was quite nice, I tried it on later in the week.

So that was what happened on Thursday. Next I’ll get to some shots from the track during Friday Practice. Most of them I have never looked at so hopefully they will be fun to edit.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Inconsequent, photos No Comments »

Travel day: YVR to AUS

DSC_0512

November 14, 2012 could not have been a better day to leave Vancouver.

DSC_0513

Randall and I boarded a plane and we spent the next little while in the sky.

DSC_0514

DSC_0515

DSC_0516

DSC_0517

DSC_0520

DSC_0526

That bag might be necessary if you end up viewing this entire post of substantial art.

DSC_0530

DSC_0532

DSC_0533

It’s quite a time to watch all this go by.

DSC_0534

DSC_0537

DSC_0539

Some of these, particularly this frame, deserve to be viewed at higher resolution. That’s not even full res.

DSC_0540

DSC_0542

DSC_0551

DSC_0553

Someone missing a helmet.

DSC_0557

After finding our accommodations we managed to find the next important thing. Eating in Texas.

DSC_0561

Our server was a good salesman. Also yes that tasted good.

DSC_0562

We would decline another round, then he would bring more beers. We drank them anyway. We don’t care.

DSC_0565

DSC_0567

We were totally out of control. We drank so many beers. And pie.

DSC_0569

Also we found out that someone else was totally out of control.

DSC_0571

Although many businesses had put on a welcoming message, it was quite clear that most of the locals had left town for fear of the F1 masses.

DSC_0572

DSC_0573

In the next post there will be some additional very exciting photographs such as more pictures of food, some signs, a vehicle and pieces of paper.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Inconsequent, photos No Comments »