You heard this back in the '80s, that Austin is a place for singers, songwriters, that "once people come to Austin, they never want to leave."

They created a lifestyle mentality, where Pittsburgh and Detroit were still trapped in that Protestant-ethic/bohemian-ethic split, where people were saying, "You can't have fun!" or "What do you mean play in a rock band? Cut your hair and go to work, son. That's what's important."

Well, Austin was saying, "No, no, no, you're a creative. You want to play in a rock band at night and do semiconductor work in the day? C'mon! And if you want to come in at 10 the next morning and you're a little hung over or you're smoking dope, that's cool."

I went to the Continental Club -- I was invited by Austin's leading political officials -- and we went to see Toni Price the singer-songwriter, and there were hippies smoking dope right there on the back porch. - Salon.com Be Creative ... Or Die

Fred has been telling me fer YEARS that her hometown.. Austin Texas.. is most definitely worth a visit.

Hell, most definitely worth a stopover for a few months.

Although Fred doesnt steer me wrong.. I figured Id take my time.

But the this guy.. makes me wanna check it out.

Bead art in the cracks of a sidewalk full of sidewalk art? Compost hedges? Funky.

Hell, what is a cross country trip for if you cant stop somewheres along the way?