Beyond Totality: Discovering Austin from BBQ to Bananarchy (Ep 4)

Austin enchanted us with great food, trolls, kayaking, hiking, museums, caves, ice cream, shaved ice, wildflowers, and of course a total eclipse of the sun.
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Some elements are from a subscription to Envato Elements.
Music in this video is from a subscription to Epidemic Sound:
Ice Caves - Bonn Fields
Wanna Let This One Go - Garden Friend
Be Enough - Kylie Dailey
Copper Horse
Little by Little
Growing Up is Just a Trap
This is Home - Bonn Fields
This Is - Peter Sandberg
Easy Now
Mika's Journey - Lama House
Quiet Devotion - Martin Klem
Desert Parade - Rand Aldo

[@AmpuTeeHee]

Thank you for letting us view the video “scrapbook” of your family time and your adventures. Just loved it 💛

[@FromShetoMe]

Thanks so much!

[@timsmith7625]

Enjoyed the family adventure! Always good to enjoy our amazing country!

[@janetfolkerts5827]

Reviewing, and renewing..and ALL making new memories ! THANKS for sharing your journey.

[@TravelSmallLiveBig]

Austin looks amazing! Those frozen bananas - wow!

[@dporper6390]

That was an awesome family reunion in Austin. Complete with an eclipse. Love that cloudy shot of the eclipse. We're taking our van to a family reunion in Maine later this year on our way to Nova Scotia and New Foundland. 😊

[@FromShetoMe]

That will be an amazing trip.

[@annainaspen]

Thank you for bringing us along on your family’s adventures. As your son and grandkids get older, they will be grateful for your videos.

[@FromShetoMe]

I hope so, or maybe their kids will get a kick out of it.

[@cheryl7917]

What a wonderful video, I've enjoyed watching your eclipse trip adventures. This one in particular was extra special as you shared memories you made that are so precious, it tugged at my heart strings. I too made the trek to Texas Hill country for the eclipse, Me in my van , my son and his girlfriend/partner in their van and my Brother and sister-in-law in their Truck and camper. Sharing rare events and visiting spectacular places (we too went to Carlsbad Caverns) with people we love and cherish makes those experiences even more memorable and those memories are truly precious!. We too were in awe of the red Cardinals, and so many other species of birds we were able to sit back and watch while relaxing on the ranch we camped at and the wildflowers were spectacular. I admire the way you two travel and love the many interesting things you stop to see. You've got the free or almost free camping down to a science, that is something I' still need to get the hang of. Am looking forward to seeing your new van :) Hope that is coming up soon. Thanks for continuing to share wonderful videos!

[@FromShetoMe]

What a sweet comment and how wonderful that you could travel with family.

[@marym9618]

What a fabulous time. You are in Texas at the perfect time of year. I was just west of San Antonio for the eclipse , but did not get as lucky as you with the cloud cover. I have since driven back home to Oregon - by way of the scenic routes of course😎. Every time I watch one of your awesome videos I add more pins to my Google maps bucket list. I am etiring at the end of the year so looking forward to some epic travels next year. Thanks for sharing! Safe travels home!

[@FromShetoMe]

So much to see and so little time.

[@judyfeldman5066]

It was so lovely to see the family and I must say, you exited that kayak with finesse. I feel better about myself now….😂

[@FromShetoMe]

Do you ever get hysterical? And at the stupidest things. Haven't heard back from you know who. John said he'll call them tomorrow.

[@judyfeldman5066]

@@FromShetoMe I do get hysterical and look forward to fun times. LOL!

[@nancyskean6425]

What a lovely family you have created.

[@FromShetoMe]

Thank you so much!

[@metaxaanabeer]

Back to the dock, hands behind you, on the dock, lift with both arms and legs and swing up and back, sit on dock, use legs to keep kayak close. At least that is how this 75 year old does it. Thanks for a glimpse into your life, again.

[@FromShetoMe]

The life jacket wouldn’t let me bend at the waist and the thought of how I looked made me hysterical. I’ve filmed John getting out of a kayak in a similar predicament. Clearly I need to practice.

[@metaxaanabeer]

@@FromShetoMe When my wife and I are solo on some back country lake we are as graceful as young gazelles. Put some people standing around, an audience if you will, and we become beached whales or sea lions. That is the law of older folks and kayaks.

[@FromShetoMe]

@@metaxaanabeer That's hilarious! And so true.

[@peppylady6426]

I know it been some time ago. So glad you did a video on the caves near Tully Lake. My oldest son Andy (Leo Brothers) took Steve and I went to the caves. Granddaughter Alice and Maeve also enjoyed them.

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Awesome video. Thank you.

[@brucegustafson6943]

This is what Vanlife is all about, experiencing life with family and loveones!

[@campoutwestus]

Thank you for the tour of Austin. You kept very busy there. What a wonderful family adventure!

[@always.wondering.wandering]

Beautiful! Can I come be a part of your family?😄🥰You all had such a great time and I loved seeing everything there in Austin through your eyes. Wonderful family gathering and fun times shared, who could ask for more. Thank you for sharing!

[@FromShetoMe]

You're so welcome. I figured this would be too boring for most folks so I'm thankful for folks watching.

[@billrobinson2581]

Great film. My knee-jerk reaction is to question a person's decision to go to Austin because I remember old Austin. But your film captured the essence of what has always been great about that area.

[@user-xo8hg1fo3f]

I can feel the joy from the interpersonal communication. Thanks for sharing!

[@samajier2566]

Thanks for sharing....

[@bertkelly7650]

Good looking chips off the old blocks! Should be proud! Love her art work!

[@billwilliams5889]

I have to say that the eclipse is one of the best examples of how the media can overhype and exaggerate a news event. We live near Austin and for my money, the annular eclipse last October was far more interesting because of all the blurry shadows it created on the ground.

[@FromShetoMe]

The October eclipse was good for that reason but I think my favorite part was experiencing the darkness.

[@garygus5966]

Best part was John as Col. Blake! As always great video!

[@FromShetoMe]

Mine too!

[@ericnunn8856]

Austin area is a great area of Texas.. you were also lucky! Lifelong Texan and I can’t remember spring being this green. Thanks for sharing 🤙

[@FromShetoMe]

Yes it was! It was an E ticket.

[@JRShattlesJr]

You and John have a beautiful family. Thanks for sharing. Drive safe.

[@DragonflightAdventures1]

Thanks for the fun interesting video. Cool seeing Austin through your family’s eyes. Julia is such a talent!

[@johnbloemendal2683]

We just wanted to say; wonderful video(s). It is on our weekly "top of the list" KZbins to watch. We have experienced Anza Borrego last November based on your videos, wonderful. Thank you.

[@FromShetoMe]

Thank you! Met some folks from San Diego yesterday and they said we should try Mt. Laguna. Maybe you have already been there?

[@johnbloemendal2683]

@@FromShetoMe Have not been there, but noted. Safe travels.

[@tombicek4077]

It was a wonderful video as usual. It is great to spend time with family doing fun stuff.

[@susanstanton8918]

Great adventures with you and your family in this lovely video. I live near Austin, and you showed some new places for me to explore! Thanks.

[@rv2travel]

Excellent Video! Love the art work! Thank YOU for sharing!

[@jeffreythompson9843]

Great video really well put together. Your family story of love and adventures with generations is priceless. We have marked your site seeing places on our to see map. We enjoy all your videos but this one was special. We enjoyed the Eclipse in Morrilton Arkansas with a View Navion rally, so fun to share the Eclipse with friends and family. Happy Trails, Cheers Jeff and Liz Bend Oregon

[@FromShetoMe]

Thanks guys. Your rock is still adorning my garden. 🪴

[@LisaRobison-yb1kw]

Thank you so much for sharing your family with all of us! Been thinking about visiting Austin and now i really want to go! 😊😊

[@FromShetoMe]

You should! But not when it's hot.🥵

[@patoleary6547]

Debbie we just love your videos!! This trip to Austin was amazing!! Thank you for sharing your family with us… and your nieces artwork was beautiful! I just love the ostrich…. Does she sell any of her artwork?? If not..she so should!! Thank you again! Pat & Pat O’Leary

[@FromShetoMe]

Sometimes she does but I think she is collecting enough pieces to do a showing. I'm trying to get her to do an avatar for me. It's kind of a long running joke between the two of us.

[@patoleary6547]

Well if she does make an avatar of you… I expect it’ll be awesome!!

[@Shadowgrey5937]

Thanks for sharing your family with us ❤

[@8th_Decade_Adventures]

Well, you outdid yourself on that one. Best video yet. Great job.

[@FromShetoMe]

Wow, thanks!

[@bobbydale1957]

I really enjoyed your family video.

[@chrisbuchanan1193]

What a great tour of Austin. I've been there only once and didn't see half the places you went to. So many beautiful parks. How special to spend time with your family! The kids were troupers! I laughed with you as that's how I found get out of the kayak- I'd actually most likely fall in the water. I love Julia's art . Good luck to her! Does she have a website?

[@FromShetoMe]

She's on Instagram as rarejuleswebber and also as juliawebberartinspiresaction

[@jonathancook-fisher6174]

Now I’m hungry!

[@user-fh4ts9qc3p]

Lovely family ! Thanks for sharing !

[@camperab]

Thanks a lot for this video with all the information on Austin. I think there would have been enough footage for two videos!? - I need to check if I have gained some weight by watching your food/icecream "tests". - Having just returned, I am preparing for my second 2024 "Tour de France", this time to the Bordeaux region.

[@FromShetoMe]

I had way too much video from too many cameras. It was a mess to put together. Glad this one is behind me. 😅

[@GEORGEEEJ]

Poison Ivy & poison Oak=leaves of 3 leave them be.😊

[@beverleehamilton4656]

Really enjoyed the video every part of it. Thanks for sharing with us. Can you share the name of the camera and selfie stick your grandson was filming with? Great idea ;)

[@FromShetoMe]

That was the Insta360 Go 3 with the Insta360 selfie stick.

[@lizchilders4154]

Very enjoyable video. A beautiful family get together. Thanks for sharing. We are 2.5 hours from Austin. Thanks for great ideas on an Austin area trip. Any problems with homeless encampments at these sites? I would love to ride the paved trails there.

[@FromShetoMe]

No, didn't see any encampments. Is it possible they cleaned things up because of the eclipse event? There were tons of people from all over the country and even some from Europe. And the traffic they thought would be terrible on eclipse day was super light. Reminded us of the '84 Olympics in LA.

[@lizchilders4154]

@@FromShetoMe, I. bet the Eclipse event spurred a lot of cleanup. We had heard the Barton Springs area was one to be avoided as well as closer to downtown. The town nearest us, Hillsboro, ended up much lighter on Eclipse visitors than expected. I suspect the exorbitant prices for parking was a hinderance. We enjoyed the Eclipse from our back patio on our 10 acres in the country. Was cloudy, but we got a very clear full 4:03 minute Totality viewing cloud-free. Was amazing. The cows in the fields laid down, the birds quit flying around and grew silent. Since you left our beautiful state, we have had rain, rain, rain and more rain. Luckily, we have dodged the bad storms and tornadoes. Our lakes are filling up. We are about an hour from your Ennis family. 🙂 Safe travels. Keep up the wonderful videos. BTW, loved some of your niece’s? artwork - very talented.

[@FromShetoMe]

@@lizchilders4154 Thanks Liz. So glad you got a clear viewing. Really was a special day.

[@kxrv6629]

Looks like a great family time, but the eclipse part was a bit anticlimactic. Thought you would have some photos or video of the eclipse itself. Next time

[@FromShetoMe]

Unfortunately I didn't have the lenses you need to get photos/videos of an eclipse.

[@ruthtorphy2204]

Would you mind letting us know what light hiking sneakers John wears.Thanks

[@FromShetoMe]

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro V7.

[@ruthtorphy2204]

Much thanks.

[@billwilliams5889]

It looks like you guys had to suffer through multiple days of eating Texas bbq. What a rough life …..

[@FromShetoMe]

I was thinking there wouldn't be anything for me to eat but the side dishes at every place were fabulous.

[@billwilliams5889]

@@FromShetoMe Sorry about that ….. I didn’t realize that you don’t eat meat. Not to worry …. I suspect that your grandsons more than made up for what you didn’t eat !

[@FromShetoMe]

@@billwilliams5889 They were definitely spoiled with all the good food and now asking for BBQ at home.

[@brucemontgomery6853]

Hi debbie( and john) Im bruce and have watched and commented before ( bought my pleasure way feom george) Do you use a drone? Which? None on your amazon store.. ty

[@FromShetoMe]

LOL. If you see any good drone footage in my videos, it's from a subscription with Envato Elements. I do have a DJI mini but it rarely gets out of its case because there are so many restrictions/conditions that make in difficult. But if you are thinking of purchasing a drone, then the newest DJI mini 4 is supposed to be great for beginners.

[@brucemontgomery6853]

Hi Debbie and john Trying to find a way to contact “off the air” and share information/ ask questions As you near your humble road build end/ buy/ drive, any chance you will reveal the build cost? I have visited mike n at advanced rv and just caught a piece in his costs of ranging from 400k to 600 and he mass produces a bit more than George. Wishing you the best

[@FromShetoMe]

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