Explore, Create, Inquire, Seek, Share, Learn

And random ponderings.

We left Pensacola Beach, Florida on Thursday, September 29th, and my real life began again on Sunday, October 2nd. Here in the desert I work, drink water, pet dogs, and try to maintain some balance between rest and activity. I spent time at Ingo’s Art Cafe Sunday afternoon, listening to the Black Cat Poets (local group of excellent writers) share their souls, as they do each month.

Frida is almost arranged, clothes put away, bed made, stuff set, nearly ready for the work week. The girl dogs, Dag and Thelma, inspected everything, and accepted petting to let me know they’re glad I’m back.

On our drive back to the desert from the shoreline we saw many things, which I will list in reverse order – from last seen to the first day of our return.

Outside of Austin, through Texas Hill country, we came across a new species of cow – Panda Cows. A friend tells me they have some other boring name like “Belted Galloway Cattle“. They’re Panda Cows, and I’m sticking to that name. Somehow, the cutest of fluffy cows have merged with the cutest of black and white bears, resulting in Panda Cows. Don’t even.

Also in Texas Hill Country we encountered the Fat Ass Ranch & Winery among many other makers of fermented beverages – mead, beer, wine. Mostly wine. There are vineyards for sale out there West of Fredericksburg Texas. If I still drank wine I might consider a career change. I like plants. We saw other humorously named wineries. A castle that’s actually a winery. A lighthouse winery in middle-o-nowhere Texas. Lots of wineries. It seems in Texas it’s good business to own and sell something addictive to get rich. Beef, wine, beer, oil.

Prior to Fredericksburg, which was adorable, we visited Johnson City, TX to split a brisket sandwich and salad, and wander through a couple of antique shops. I bought a small pocket knife with various tools including a corkscrew, for which I’ll have to find an alternate use. Our server / host wore a very low cut blouse, and high cut mini skirt that in no way made up for poor service and sneering demeanor. She’s young and has years ahead to find a job she enjoys more. Or maybe she just didn’t like us.

Our Austin visit did not go as planned. Unfortunately friends and family were not available. We did try to go swimming at Barton Springs, but there is no place to park an RV. At the park. Where people park. Plus, it was so crowded it appears reservations would have to be made in order to play at the park. In the largest spring-fed swimming hole anywhere. Or something. You can’t make reservations, or park at the park, so we moved on.

Throughout Texas many people fly gigantic US flags, and preach patriotism in the form of Texas flags and Trump signs. Zach and I don’t talk about that much. Sometimes I can’t resist. I’m trying to learn to listen better to the voices whose stories and opinions differ from mine. A long-distance drive, lack of sleep, and hours in an RV do not create the ideal environment for political debate.

Friday morning, September 30th, we awoke at Cracker Barrel in Beaumont, Texas. Based on the refinery (or rotten something) smell, I do not recommend staying there. Ever. Though a decent convenience store was in sight, getting there required driving in circles. Hopped on the highway to Houston where we met my cousin Karen for breakfast at an incredible Jewish Deli called something or other. I look forward to visiting her and other relatives on another trip. I might just spend time in Houston and Austin, bouncing from home to home, connecting with the Hauser clan.

Well… I guess that leads us back to Thursday, which involved an incredibly long drive from Pensacola Beach, through Alabama, Louisiana, and part of Texas. Texas is Big (see my earlier posts about Texas: Texas is Big, Part 1 and Texas is Big, Part 2).