The Capitol Dome of Texas

For the past few days I have made claims that I was working on a powerpoint presentation for an upcoming Toastmaster speech about "cool things to do in Austin."  While struggling to master the unlimited options within the Apple Keynote templates (not to mention the actual speech!) I determined that the photos I currently have on file are simply not worthy of such an important project.

Let's face it, the need for "better quality" photographs (no matter how justified) was my way of delaying the inevitable, so I drove to Austin yesterday.

When I arrived, the capital building and the surrounding grounds were filled with scores of elementary school children on field trips.  I expect they accomplished more meaningful work in a few short hours than the current legislators did all week, but that's just me.

The dome and rotunda area are stunning.  I know this to be true because I wasn't the only one pointing a camera up at the ceiling!

According to the scribes at Wikipedia, the capitol building was completed in 1888 as the winning design from a national competition, and its architecture style is Italian Renaissance Revival.  If you'd like to learn more about its history you can read about it here and here.  (But you really should come to Austin instead.  And the tours are even free!)

Texas history is interesting, but let's look at the pretty pictures instead!

View from the second floor

I don't experience vertigo too frequently, but leaning over to get this shot - ever so slightly from the railing, almost sent me into a full-fledged panic attack.  Needless to say, I chose to limit all photographs to the second floor.

As a matter of fact, I decided to go back downstairs and take pictures of the stairway and bannister, which are far more interesting than you might imagine!  

And about that speech and powerpoint presentation...I guess its time to start working on that.  After I walk the dogs and do the dishes.  Bah!