Summer travels :: Part 1

I've spent the majority of the summer within the borders of Ithaca. Fortunately, here in August I finally have my chance to get out and see a little different scenery. The main reason for the timing revolves around presenting a paper at the Solid Freeform Fabrication conference in Austin, TX. Before that, I managed to squeeze in a couple days with my Dad's brother and family up in Arlington, TX before catching the Amtrak down to Austin. Always fun to spend time with them.

Main lobby of the Driskill

The conference itself went well (as far as those things go). My presentation went by on the first afternoon without any major hitches, and moderate interest. It's more than I expected, given how most of this conference is focused on very specific 3D printing processes that are fundamentally different than what I'm looking at. The most exciting part of the whole thing was probably the hotel they had us staying at. The Driskill Hotel is easily the most famous historic hotel in Austin. Right in the heart of downtown, it was built well before the turn of the century as a premiere luxury hotel. It still retains its historical charm and luxurious appointments. (I think it was the first hotel I've stayed at that has a doorman) Don't let a grad student get used to accommodations like this!

Driskill Hotel, Austin TX, c. 1886

Painting adorning the ceiling of the ballroom at the Driskill

Mezzanine level of the Driskill (left) looking out from the ballroom

Tallest hotel room I've ever stayed in, by a long shot! (right)

Texas state capitol

I also spent some time wandering around downtown. Austin is a pretty friendly, unique city (lots of character!) Known as the live music capital of the world, even on Monday night there was a live band in most of the establishments. I also ventured down to a (relatively) famous bridge at dusk where the largest urban bat population resides. There were certainly a lot of bats! Also, the Texas state capital was within walking distance from the hotel, and was impressively lit up at night.









Inside the dome of the capitol