Christmas at the Driskill

FFP poses in the lobby of the historic Driskill, done up for Christmas.

Eloise would approve!

This fancy tree is in the lobby of the historical Driskill Hotel. Quite a sight!

Your chariot awaits!

This carriage was waiting to take someone on a horse-drawn ride. It was stationed outside the south door of the Driskill Hotel.

Getting in the spirit!

Here are your loyal bloggers, folks. All decked out for the season. Best to you!

A welcoming sight

The check-in desk at the Driskill is always a pleasing place. They have a small tree behind it for Christmas cheer.

Christmas at the Driskill

Here is Linda with the magnificent tree at the Driskill Hotel.This one is always a visual treat.

Happy Historic holidays

This elaborate model of The Driskill Hotel is in their lobby for the holidays.  We went over and stayed there (staycation) on Dec 26.  This place was the center of so much of Austin's social life from the 1800s on.

Back Room Politics

In honor of Washington's fumbling and posturing that was going on yesterday (and will continue to do so) I present a detail (actually most of the painting) from a painting by Rosemary Mahoney called "Texas Two Step" at the Driskill Hotel. A plaque says:

It is said that although Texas laws were passed at the State Capitol a few blocks to the north, the real wheeling and dealing in Texas politics took place in the lobbies and back rooms of The Driskill Hotel. 

Home to LBJ's White House press corps, and the scene of campaign events and election night vigils, The Driskill Hotel has earned the reputation of being the political capital of Texas. 

Some might disagree and say more happens at the Austin Club these days or even the Cloak Room (is that dive bar still open?) but I still think about a lot of oblivious men of a certain type making the rules in some back room.

Right Size Tree

The tree at the Driskill tops out just below the beautiful glass ceiling.

High Glam, High Energy

Last night we attended a high glam fashion show at The Driskill Hotel given by a friend of ours, Stephen Moser, who is terminally ill.  It was a chance for him to show off his designs, a collection which he has been working on for something like nine years.  Here you see some shoes by another local designer who was also showing his creations on the runway.

Driskill in Gingerbread

This is the gingerbread Driskill for the holiday season.

Historic Ceiling

This is the ceiling of the historic Driskill hotel lobby.

Happy Birthday, Driskill, at Christmas

As mentioned earlier the Driskill Hotel is having it's 125th Birthday this Christmas season. Last Thursday they served this cake which looks like a pile of presents.

A lady and her bass

We ventured out on a cold night a couple of weeks ago to hear our friend Liz sing at the Driskill Hotel bar. The only instrument accompanying her was this stellar bass player. I caught this shot of her crooning with my iPhone.

Winding Down the Holiday

Snapped this at the Driskill the Friday before Christmas week. I imagine the decorations (including this magnificent Gingerbread house) will be up through the New Year. I guess we will soon return to regular programming here. (And stop wearing Christmas colors!)