One thing I've noticed during the time I've spent in Texas is that there are more state flags displayed here than in any other state I've ever visited. Is it because the flag is so iconic? Is it because Texans want to make sure that visitors remember to associate all of their excellent experiences with Texas? Or is it because Texans are afraid they'll forget what state they live in? (Just kidding, Texans! Keep reading, please!)
I had a lot of time to reflect on these things during our adventure yesterday, which featured (in addition to waking up at 4:30 am) roughly nine hours of riding in the car. I may have been flying by at 70 miles an hour for most of it, but I did get to see a nice swath of Texas yesterday. At least, the parts by the highway, anyhow.
First we woke up and got coffee and biscuits at Whataburger, which is a fast food chain here in Texas that Lee somehow pronounces in a way that makes it sound like "Waterburger!" I don't know, I can't figure it out. The coffee was a condition of my cooperation that morning. The biscuits were just a bonus. Then we drove for almost 4 hours to a small town where Lee had some lawyering to do. Going in the courthouse kind of stresses me out because there's a security guard and a metal detector, and a lot of people who either look out of place and depressed, or who are wearing suits and talking lawyer-shop. I know all of this from the last time I went with Lee on one of these trips, so this time I elected to stay in the car and read. It was still early in the morning and I had a massive 700-page book with me (The Dark Tower, if anyone wants to discuss it with me (PLEASE DISCUSS IT WITH ME)), so it was pretty enjoyable except for the fact that the sun, and the temperature, were quickly rising. By the time Lee came back to the car I was sweaty and ready to hit the road.
Step two was a two-hour drive to San Antonio, during which we passed through Austin. Hi, Austin! Bye, Austin! Perhaps I'll get to visit you someday. Lee had more lawyer business to attend to, so this time I sat on a bench in the hallway and read. Good times. After that, we were finally done with all Lee's responsibilities and free to wander around the city a little. We had lunch at an awesome German deli called Schilo's, which I would definitely recommend. I had a turkey, pastrami, and salami sub, and some delicious hot German potato salad. Lee had chicken and dumplings, I think. I spent a good part of the afternoon testing my iphone's camera so I could have taken a picture of the food for you, but I was too busy eating it.
After that we walked up and down the River Walk, which was gorgeous. It's below street-level and beautifully landscaped with fountains and flowers, and even if it weren't it would have been worth it for how much cooler it was than the sidewalk. Unfortunately, we didn't get to dawdle for too long because we had to get the rental car back by 6, but I guess it was for the best because I wore some slightly uncomfortable flip flops and I was ready to sit down anyway. Regarding San Antonio, I have to say I was a pretty big fan of what little I saw of it. It has a lot of charm and personality that I feel like some other cities (ahem, Houston) are lacking a bit. If you ever decide to visit, take me with you, because I'd like to spend more than 3 hours there next time.
The final leg of our trip was the 4 hour ride back to Houston, which was a little difficult considering how tired we both were. There was one exciting point where I nodded off for a few minutes, and then suddenly woke up. "Are you awake?" I asked Lee, to which he horrifyingly replied, "Mostly". I asked him to expand upon that, and he told me he had fallen asleep at the wheel for a minute or two. After that, I turned on the radio and made a point of talking a lot.
Luckily, we got back safely and everybody took refreshing naps and lived to fight another day. Next time, I'll describe the 2 hours I once spent in a Baltimore airport.
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