2:00 PM: Our family was having a quiet and relaxing Christmas Day. The presents were opened. The turkey was roasting in the oven. Very few people were outside on this cold overcast day in downtown Austin. 

2:09 PM: I looked out the window and was shocked to see flames shooting from a Capital Cruises tour boat across Lady Bird Lake. Bill started to dial 911 but stopped when we heard sirens headed our way. I grabbed my camera and ran out on our balcony. 

2:12 PM: In just a few minutes the two-story riverboat was engulfed. We saw explosions with sparks flying. We assumed that guests at the Hyatt Regency were evacuated into the parking lot on the other side of the hotel. Spectators gathered on the Congress Avenue Bridge and on the lake shores.

2:16 PM: The fire spread to another nearby tour boat. Fortunately their other large riverboat was parked further away at a different dock. By this time, fire trucks had arrived and hoses were being readied.

2:19 PM: The flames must have burned through the mooring lines. The boat slowly drifted away from the dock.

2:26 PM: The burning boat continued to head toward the Congress Avenue Bridge. We wondered if the boat would get stuck under the bridge and were surprised that onlookers and cars were still up on the roadway.

2:29 PM: Somehow the burning boat floated toward shore (or perhaps was pulled?) and a succession of tankers continued to spray water down from the bridge.

2:49 PM: Hoses could now reach the smoldering hull from shore and soon the fire was out. 

After dinner we walked across the lake to look around. A TV reporter told us that arson is suspected. The dock and smaller tour boat were heavily damaged.

The riverboat was completely destroyed. After dark we saw the hull being towed away.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much pleasure!
How oft at Christmas tide the sight,
O green fir tree, gives us delight!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much pleasure!

Texas State Capitol, House of Representatives
Decorated with ornaments from each district

One Congress Plaza

Four Seasons Austin

 W Austin

The Driskill upstairs

The annual Armadillo Christmas Bazaar runs now through December 24 over at the Palmer Events Center. Now in its 36th year, this live-music-combined-with-lots-of-shopping event began at the Armadillo World Headquarters, a concert hall which long-time Austinites still mourn even though the place has been gone for over 30 years now. 

Last weekend I walked over to the bazaar and heard the last few songs of Sahara Smith‘s set. The stage is located in the center of the hall but speakers are set up all around so serious shopping is not interrupted. Lots of local musicians are still playing over the next few days, including some I’ve mentioned previously in this blog: Marcia Ball, The Tricias and Suzanna Choffel.

Over 160 artists are offering high-quality paintings, crafts, jewelry and decorations at this year’s Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. Maybe it was just the photographer’s mind-set, but my camera seemed to pick up on a theme…

You know it’s almost Christmas here in downtown Austin when… 

…Santa makes an appearance at the Austin Farmers’ Market. 

…the Tinplate Trackers set up their model train display across from City Hall.

 …the Zilker Tree shines brightly every night.

Browsing our neighborhood stores is even more fun this month with The Holiday Window Walk. The 2ND Street District is sponsoring a window-decorating contest for students from Theatrical Design Department at St. Edward’s University. Winners will receive scholarships provided by Silicon Labs (who has offices in the neighborhood). Shoppers can scan the associated QR Code with their mobile phone to register their votes. The contest ends on January 2nd.

The displays are all music-related. Here’s some of the entries…

I’ll Be So Blue – Langford Market

Don’t Stop Believing in the Magic – Estilo

The Twelve Days of Princemas – Etcetera, Etc.

Deck the Halls with Buddy Holly – 1020 Glass Art

With temperatures in the mid-60s, this evening’s weather was perfect for Austin’s annual Holiday Sing-Along. From the steps of the Texas State Capitol, John Aielli of local NPR station KUT led thousands in all the season’s favorites, including Frosty the Snowman, Joy to the World, Jingle Bells and Feliz Navidad. 

Bill and I wondered if we were going to sing all 23 songs listed in the songbook but John  ran out of time and skipped a few. After a rousing O Christmas Tree, the crowd counted down to the tree lighting. 

With the tree safely lit and Sing-Alonging successfully completed, it was time for Strolling. A very enthusiastic Minor Mishap Marching Band led the procession down Congress Avenue. According their Myspace page, their genre is “Chinese pop / Healing & Easy Listening / Melodramatic Popular Song.”

The street was filled with bicyclists from the Austin Bike Zoo, plus jugglers, hula hoopers, and stilt walkers. There was serious Strolling as the crowd followed too.

There were fun holiday activities along the way. The Paramount Theatre showed classic Christmas cartoons. Groups performed on small stages. Austin Ballet’s The Nutcracker was projected on the side of a building. And someone gave me a very unique “lollipop” … a yarn ball with a lite-glow stick.

Mother Falcon was playing at the Frost Bank plaza when the procession arrived. The Minor Mishap Marching Band joined them for a lively version of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire. 

The theme of this year’s Stroll was to “explore the concept of gift as a way to strengthen the bond between Austin’s diverse community and Congress Avenue, the Main Street of Texas.” Thank you to the organizers and participants for this evening’s gift!

An elaborate Gingerbread Village, created by the pastry chefs at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin, is on display in the hotel lobby until January 2. The all-edible creations are for sale and benefit the Seton Shivers Cancer Center at Brackenridge. Prices range from $100 to over $1000. 

This year’s theme is famous buildings from throughout the state of Texas. The Austin landmarks are accurate…but what’s all that white stuff?

Zilker Park Christmas Tree

 

Lots of ornaments