June 5, 2024

On to Austin . . . ?

At 09:45. I’ve already been waiting three hours.

Welp, it’s really raining this morning. It looks like Huntsville might be in this storm for much of the morning. Of course. The system appears to lighten up to the west, but it’s really coming down. I’ve had all the coffee I can drink, and I’m caught up on some work. Now, I’m wondering if I should just go or wait it out a bit more. I’m not too far from Austin, so time is not really an issue. Shit, I even hear thunder.

                    

I arrived in Austin about 14:00. The roads in Texas are crazy: almost everyone is a highway with a 75 speed limit. Crazy, but it seems to work. The rain kept coming, so I decided to leave the hotel about 10:30. I rode in the rain for a good hour-and-a-half, before brighter skies began to push out the gray wetness. I filled up the tank, and opened up the throttle for the last 75 miles.

Me in my home for a month.

I found my rental cottage and met the owner. She is very nice, and the cottage is just what I need—just about the size I’d like for my listening room. According to my measure app, it’s 20x10. 20' is a good length, but the width would have to be greater, like 14' at least. Still, I have a kitchenette, bathroom, a comfy bed, desk, and plenty of light. I found a little grocery store about four blocks away, and there’s a bookstore/coffee shop right around the block. My rental is about 2 miles from the Harry Ransom Center. I plan to walk every week day, though my walks today were a bit warm.

There are so many restaurants around, I’m going to have to walk. Today, I made the 1.5 mile trek to Cabo Bob’s for a burrito. It was delicious. I had a smoked chicken with poblanos, cheese, green salsa, and sour cream on a fresh smoky cheddar tortilla—which was flattened and grilled as I watched. Worth the walk and the $8.99. I’ll likely be back, though I have many other places to try.

Tomorrow will be my first research day. I’m looking forward to it.