AUSTIN -- Well, a week later than planned, and after the big show has long since ended, here I am... the result of a grueling drive from El Paso that started this morning and ended only a few hours ago. (I shudder to think what kind of mess I'd be if I'd done the originally-planned Tucson-to-Austin drive last week.)
I'm staying an extra night here, to better absorb a little Austin nightlife on Saturday, and to have time to lunch and drink with my good buddy Laura, who I haven't seen since shortly after my San Antonio stint ended. Then it's off to New Orleans for a night (or probably two), and then, finally, Florida. Home sweet 3,300-miles-later home.
A quick recap of the trip so far:
Day One: Drive from home to Palm Springs was surprisingly painless, as I hit the road early enough to avoid both Sacramento morning rush-hour traffic and L.A.-area afternoon rush-hour traffic.
Day Two: Shortest drive of the trip, a leisurely jaunt to Scottsdale, to see the Cubs play the Giants in a sold-out Spring Training game. (Cubs win! Cubs win!) Good times, but pretty crap crowd. Maybe that's typical of spring games; maybe not. Lots of Cubs fans, and a great, great seat (two rows behind Chicago dugout; to get an idea of how close that was, the above photo was taken while seated, with a short [85mm] lens).
Day Three: Longish, and full-of-nothing drive to El Paso, free of traffic 'til I actually hit El Paso itself. Of course my hotel was on the east side of town, so I sat through about an hour of stop-and-go after flying through Arizona and New Mexico. Cheapest gas of the trip came in Arizona: $3.09/gallon. Also most expensive cigarettes at a 7/Eleven: $5.59/pack.
Day Four: The aforementioned way-too-long drive here, and mostly I blame Google Maps for directing me to take what surely was not the fastest route by spending the last 110 miles on a teeny mostly-two-lane "highway" from I-10 to Austin. Cripes. But now I shall spend tomorrow nursing my driving-related shoulder injury by the pool and in bars.
It was so great seeing you, TBall! Really wish you were moving to Austin instead of Ft. Lauderdale. One of these days ... :)
My friends adored you, and I'm glad you got to stay the extra day!
Safe travels.
Posted by: laura in Austin | March 24, 2008 at 09:34 AM