We left New Orleans and drove to Austin, Texas. It’s a familiar route for us, and it passed uneventfully. We did try to go through the area known for the famous Blue Bonnet flower fields, but alas, the season was every early this year, and there were none to be seen. Last time we were in Austin we stayed in an Airbnb. This time we used a Hipcamp site, which was essentially some dude’s driveway in one of the suburbs of the city. It may not have been super convenient, but it was cheap and quiet and safe. Austin has a robust Waymo and Uber culture, so we were able to leave Louie mostly parked either in the driveway or at the YMCA and use the ride share services. We tried to use the Waymo as much as possible. It’s wild to sit in the passenger back seat and watch the ghost in the machine drive the car expertly. While in Austin we enjoyed live music, dancing, and brisket. We also got to check off a bucket list item for Larry: Go to a matinee, mid day, mid week to see a movie. We watched Project Hail Mary at the Alamo Drafthouse and reveled in this little thing that we can do now that he is not employed. On our second night we accidentally stumbled upon Greek Prom, the formal evening for the sororities and fraternities. The city and its establishments were overrun with young, drunk, formally dressed children. So we happily headed back to Louie. We took advantage of the weather and spent one day walking all along the river. We visited the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, continued walking back into downtown to the Stevie Ray Vaughn statue, then over to Lambert’s to share an expertly made brisket sandwich. It was the best brisket we tasted this trip. We also had excellent Mexican at Matt’s, a treasured institution within walking distance of the Broken Spoke.

What made this visit to Austin very special for us was the amount of friendship and company we got to enjoy. We had a weekend full of amazing people. First we visited the Baileys and had such a wonderful night eating tacos and catching up. We’ve been friends for over a decade, have gotten to watch each other’s kids grow up, and have such wonderful conversations whenever we get a chance to see each other in person. Tricia and Andy are just so smart, talented, funny, and welcoming. It’s such a pleasure when our paths cross.

The next day my friend Jeff, and his girlfriend Elda, drove up from San Antonio to see us. I’ve not seen Jeff in person in close to two decades, and it was a complete pleasure to get to know Elda. We all had a hell of a time eating and drinking through the South Congress neighborhood. We had such a great time together that we had to keep it going into the morning for an amazing Dim Sum brunch and a fantastic tour of the Austin Central Library. We’ve passed this building countless times and had no idea what an incredible public space it is. Every city should have something so beautiful and functional and welcoming. Elda’s experience in Austin and as an architect (as well as her spitfire personality) made her an excellent guide.

Larry and I had planned to make our way to New Mexico after brunch and the library, but while we were eating I received a text from a very special friend, someone else I hadn’t seen in over two decades. My precious Elisca, who now lives in Fort Worth. Elisca is the person who befriended me instantly when I visited Germany back in 1994, stayed in touch via letters and encouraged me to move to Germany, even going so far as to welcoming me to her home and second bedroom rent free. And then, when she had to go TDY for 3 months, lent me her car, her rations, and her home. Elisca was critical in my meeting Larry, and even though we fell out of regular touch, she has always been so dear in my heart and memories. Thanks to social media she saw that we were in Austin, texted that she and her husband were now retired and about to do an RV trip, and hopefully next time we are in Texas we could catch up.

I turned to Larry. How spontaneous are you feeling? I turned to Jeff. How far is Fort Worth? I texted Elisca back. What are you doing this evening? And just like that, we pivoted.

I can’t even begin to describe how wonderful it was to see E again, to hug and kiss her, to meet her husband and her pups. To once again take advantage of her hospitality and beautiful home. And even though she and Paul were leaving the next morning for an RV trip to the east, she welcomed us and offered a guest room and took us in. We caught up on mutual friends, what we’ve been up to, what the future might hold now that we are all “retired.” It really felt like no time at all had passed. The next morning we all had to load into our respective RVs and head in opposite directions.

We still had quite a way to go to get to New Mexico. We drove all day across West Texas. It is a really big state. We stopped in an aptly named town, Brownfield, Texas, and stayed at a Harvest Host, Oswald Winery for the night. The skies were gray, the land was brown, and it was a windy, rainy evening and following morning. A few more hours of driving and then we had Texas in our rear view mirror. But I am 1000% confident we will be back. I already can’t wait to see Elisca and Paul again. I feel that way about Jeff and Elda and Tricia and Andy too. We are so incredibly blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives. We are grateful for everyone who makes time to see us, who makes space for us, who can meet us where we are at. We are so lucky to call them friends.