Austin

The drive to Austin was only about twelve hours... Or at least it should have been. My lovely GPS decided that the most direct route was through Oklahoma! Stupid Magellan! So I had an extra half an hour tagged onto my already long ass drive.

I didn't mind driving through Texas as much as I thought I would. Now that I have finished my trip I would even say it was one of my favorite stretches. Once you get onto the East Coast there are so many trees that you can't see much beyond the road. They're lovely, but it can get old.

I got into Austin after nine and was excited to see Marc. I met Marc on my way back from David and Lisa's (my friends I am staying with now in Arlington) wedding. We became fast friends and have stayed in touch ever since. This was the first time we had hung out since the day we met.

The next morning was an early one. Poor Marc. I had to get my oil changed and made an early appointment so that it wouldn't interfere with my one full day in Austin. We had breakfast at Denny's while we waited for the car and then decided to go on an adventure. Kayaking? Don't mind if we do! We spent a good hour out on the water, I won't lie to you, chasing turtles off of the shore. It was a hoot! They would jump off of tree branches, logs, whatever, just swan dive into the water. It was good times.

After our kayaking fun I had to go and get a memory card for my new camera. Lame story short: I lost my camera charger and have to order a new one from Olympus since it's an old model. Bought a camera to return once I got to Arlington and the stupid kid didn't bother to tell me that the camera didn't come with one and that the camera itself only had enough memory for ten pictures.

Once we were done with Target, and entirely over our pond water aroma, we went back to the house to shower and take a nice nap. While in Austin I got to crash out on the couch. The couch was the most comfortable couch ever, and I am sure I will have it on my mind when I'm sleeping on the floor for the month after David and Lisa leave.

We woke up from our naps ready for food and fun. Off to downtown Austin! At this point I should probably fill you on the fact that Marc doesn't have a car. I am a big supporter of those that can do without, but this round Marc lost. My car was packed to the gills and so he had the pleasure of being my entertainment while riding around with his knees to his chest in my front seat that was damn near all the way forward.

We had burgers and $2 beers before heading off to the Alamo Drafthouse. This place is fantastic! Two thumbs way up! We got there and it was the Ferris Bueller Quote Along night. They gave us cheat sheets and kazoos (which neither of us could use, we are losers) and in we went. The place serves food and beer. All you have to do is write what you want on a piece of paper and flag it up for the girl to see. It's a great system. I hadn't seen Ferris Bueller in a long time so it was a lot of fun. After that off to a bar/beer garden. We didn't hang out long since we both got shit on by birds, nice.

I called it a night early. With a good 13 hours of driving to look forward to the next day and I definitely didn't want to be falling asleep at the wheel.

I stopped on my way out of town up in Rockwall, TX to have lunch with my friend Troy who Nate and I met in New Orleans doing Habitat. It was a short visit but great to stop in and see what he's up to just the same.