Austin.com

Fred Mitchim narrates a visit to the State Capitol video with Howie Richey, Austin, Texas. Click the "read on" link below for the interview of Howie Richie about Texpert Tours.

Fred Mitchim: Please give a brief history of yourself and of Texpert Tours. Howie Richie: Growing up in Corpus Christi, I was immersed in coastal landscapes throughout the year, but during the summers, our father took the family to the Hill Country. Instead of warm salt water, the rivers there flowed sweet and cold; not sand, but limestone rocks lay beneath our feet; and in contrast to flat coastal plains, cliffs rose towards the sky. If these two parts of Texas were so different, I wondered, what about the rest of the state? Thanks to my dadʼs brother, Elmore, I was also exposed to the intricacies and delights of Texas history at a young age. I devoured books, maps, and travel brochures about every aspect of the Lone Star State. When I enrolled in UT in1971 to study radio- TV-film, I also took any class with the word “Texas” in it. After taking a degree in geography, I began teaching classes and leading tours as a way to share my historical and lay-of-the-land knowledge. At first calling myself The Texas Back Roads Scholar, I soon founded Texpert Tours. FM: What is your mission statement? HR: Texpert Tours aims to provide in-depth, comprehensive, and entertaining excursions around Central Texas for visitors, newcomers, and students. FM: What will be different now that you are reinventing Texpert Tours? HR: In contrast to my former professorial style, going on a Texpert Tour will now be like hitching a ride with your favorite eccentric uncle. Iʼll be emphasizing the fun and color that makes Austin such an outstanding city. Thanks to rising energy prices, area residents in particular can take advantage of my services by enjoying a “staycation,” discovering more about the Capital City than they ever knew. The “Keep Austin Weird” tour is fast becoming my most popular offering. FM: Which part of the general public is your target audience? HR: I seek curious travelers of mid- to upper-income who want the insiderʼs scoop on this hippie-flavored locale. FM: What do you love most about Austin? HR: The people, scenery, architecture, climate, parties, and, especially, the vibe. Contact info: http://www.texperttours.com or 512/383-TXTX