Best BBQ in Texas ...

The Pilot and Jeff were planing some serious long flying trip. They were aiming to go to Llano, 70 miles NW of Austin. However, to get to Llano, that's some serious money! But not if they split it on four people! They couldn't find four people to fill the plane, so they opted to go to Lockhart.

Lockhart, the self claimed BBQ capitol of Texas, is about 30 miles from Austin. So, some people thinks it is a bit silly to fly to Lockhart. However, it is the best solution for flying, doing something (eating bbq, that is) and not spending much money. After some technical delay, they left Austin at about 12 instead of 10.30 am.

The Pilot in front of Lockhart FBO (Fixed Base Operator; airport terminal!)

They drove the free courtesy car provided by Lockhart Muni Airport to the most famous bbq place, Kreuz market (spelled Krites). Kreuz Market is there since 1900, quite some time for a restaurant.

The Pilot so excited about all the briskets he is about to eat

The parking gives a feeling of a Wal-Mart parking lot, not a bbq market! The building itself was huge. They walked in, and were led by many signs through a long corridor all the way to the back, leaving an in-use diner hall to their right and a non used hall to their left. When they got to the back, there was bunch of old ladies standing behind a counter, and one menu on the wall. This restaurant has what they call build-your-own-meal. They sell meat by pounds, and then you move to the in-use diner hall to buy the sides.

Jeff in front of the meat counter

The sides counter

The Pilot chose the Beef Shoulder (Lean), over the Beef Briskets (Fat)! Yes, that is how it is written on the menu. Those ladies put it to in wraped pappers with only a knife. Jeff and The Pilot moved to the sides' counter. The Pilot, a big fan of everything German, got German Potato and Sauerkraut. Also, got a cup of lemonade. When it's time to eat, he realised that he only have two spoons and a knife. "They must have forgotten the fork." he thought. Full of courage, he asked for a fork. He got the you-are-an-ugly-fat-unbehaved-guy look from the lady, and he didn't get the fork. Later he saw this newspaper article on the wall!

The Pilot and Jeff in front of 6'5" snake skin!

We didn't measure it, they told us!

They ate pretty well, and flew back to Austin. The flight it self was not that smooth, and the pilot did few booboos. Lucky him, Jeff doesn't really know what is going on. Since those booboos were nothing major, they passed right by Jeff. The Pilot knows that his skills are a bit rusty, he plans on working on them!




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I have been riding my bike a lot, and I'm loving it. Specially when some other biker passes by me and waves his hand to me. Later after the flight today, I rode my bike to a bike story to replace the gloves I bought last week. They are one week old, and they are already torn off! On the way back, I fell off my bike in the Devil Intersection! Yes, it is a devil. I had a car accident here (few people know about it,) and now fell off my bike in it. Be aware people. It is the intersection between Guadalupe and 29th.


What happened is that I was riding south on Guadalupe. I slowed down and started leaning to take the curve, however, when I was in the intersection, some guy on 29th pulled up wanting to make a right turn to Guadalupe. On a bike, you are unseen by everyone else. In anticipation for this guy, I straightened the bike to brake and avoid the guy. Next thing I know, the curve was coming up real quick, and I thought I can NOT make the curve. I opted to brake instead of trying to take the curve. If you know that intersection, you know there is a Cold Stone there. I braked hard, and I was able to stop. But, I stopped at the parking lot entrance, which inclined. Things happened very quick. I put my left foot on the ground, but couldn't balance it, and fell underneath the bike. I was allright, but my foot was kind of trapped underneath the bike. I reached and turned off the bike, when few guys ran to my help. I asked them to help me get the bike off of me. I honestly am still shaken and kind of sore from the shock. I'm totally fine, I only have a scratch on my ankle. Anyways, still shaken, I tried to push the bike up to parking lot, and dropped it again. Went to the Cold Stone asked for a cup of water. After that, I tried to turn it on, and Allhamdulillah it worked. I rode to my place and that was it.

The whole experience was scary, and kind of a slap on the face. First thing I did when I got off the ground was that I checked the bike. Some guy was telling me, "Forget the bike, are you ok?" and that was the slap. I didn't feel any injury or pain, thus may be my reaction. However, I really feel bad that the first thing I did is I checked the bike!!! I made sujood shukor when I got back to my place, but that should've been the first thing I did. Allhamdulillah, it was not that bad.

In the riding class, the instructor told us that the moment you think you wont make a curve, you will find yourself on the pavement soon. He was right. Thinking about it now, I could have done many things to avoid that. I could have pulled in the parking lot, or leaned more and actually made the curve! I am a bit shaken about riding now. However, I'm ordering my leather jacket tonite, isA. Tomorrow, I am thinking of taking the bike to a parking lot, and practice some sharp cornering. Omar, if you ever read this, there is no need to tell dad and mom. Accident is over; I'm allright, and I am not quiting riding. No need to make parents worry more!