Charleston, SC

Even though it was for business, I was fortunate to have been invited to spend a few days in Charleston, South Carolina last week. I had never been, and thought (the part I saw) was great. It reminded me a lot of New Orleans, with beaches but without jazz. Envision: muggy, marshy, history out the wazoo, tourist shops, carriage rides and ghost tours. And the streets also smell like boggy water and horse piss.
I have been a bad blogger, and will try to make up for it with a few posts about this trip. First: the historic peninsula. This includes old churches, houses, where the Civil War started, and government buildings that date back to before the revolution. Here are some pics in no particular order:

Air that is warmer than you...

is uncomfortable to breathe. I think that is the threshold between bearable and calling it quits: 98 Fahrenheit. That has been the territory we've been in for too long now. We've had over 30 days of 100 plus degree heat and there is no end in the forecastable future. Tomorrow, however, is a hurdle. Noon tomorrow marks the middle of my Summer. Being a 'glass half full' kind of guy, I feel it's all downhill from here. The days continue to grind on, and life won't seem to move faster than a crawl until mid August, but still I am happy. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's not a blinding, searing light either. The days are getting shorter- I can feel it.
Things I have been doing (before 11:00 am): changing brake pads, a short paddle in Town Lake, and a 15 mile bike ride with my son (who is going for the cycling merit badge).

The New Style

Because I live in such a small place, my wife has put the cabash on any big time brewing. She's right for doing so, but I've missed it recently. Then the idea struck: I can brew in small batches with all the kitchen stuff we already have, and ferment in 1 gallon juice jugs that take up no room at all. Voila- the craft beers of all craft beers, brewed with love, in super small batches. For the first batch I've gone completely without a recipe. It'll be dark, creamy, and sweet, with a yeast strain called "Super High Gravity", which for you non-brewers, also means "super high alcohol"- up to 13%. Here's the batch bubbling away in a cardboard box meant to prevent collateral damage if the jug explodes. Can't wait!

Typical Summer Weekend

Oh, man- is it Summer. It's only June and I'm already done. Some highlights: bubble tea, Austin Museum of Art, some sailing on (ever diminishing) Lake Travis, and the coolest barbecue pit ever in our parking lot. Smelling smoked meats makes me think of Fall. And so begins the countdown until September 1st...

New Old Camp Stove Technology

Here is a crude alcohol stove I made from a mint tin and a coffee can. It uses denatured alcohol (which is available at any hardware store), burns clean, won't explode, and is very light and portable. This one burns very hot and burns out very quickly; my next one will have a larger resevoir (made out of a bigger mint tin) and smaller holes to make it last longer. This little thing will come in handy when there is a burn ban (which is about half the time, here in central Texas).

Urban Gladiators, New for Summer 2011!

Whether you're wielding a net and trident against a hungry lion or just fighting the crowds on mass transit for an afternoon at your favorite bodega, these DIY cut-up Reebok demi-sandals are your best bet for keeping your tootsies cool and protected. Equally fitted for training cross-country or training to slaughter Christians, their vaguely Romanesque lines and 21st century materials make them your next favorite footwear!

Pioneer Farms, Austin

I spent some time this weekend volunteering at Pioneer Farms here in Austin. It is a collection of very old buildings, period farm tools (and a working blacksmith shop), and some animals for the kids to visit. Great place, and neat history.
I could definitely see myself living on a small piece of land in a house this size. With my wife and no kids, that is. This farmhouse belonged to German immigrants in the 1850's. Herr and Frau Kruger lived here with their 13 kids. The daughters slept in the loft, and sons slept outside on the porch!