To the States

Kelly: After a 23 hour trip with confusing ticketing, poor airport signage, and lost luggage, I made it to Texas. I've visited San Antonio for work twice, so I know enough about it to know that I wanted to spend my one free, sleep-deprived day outside of an Antonio. I drove to Austin and did my favorite Austin activities--visiting Barton Springs Pool, walking on the Zilker Park Trail, watching the rowers on Town Lake, eating at the ginormous Whole Foods, and strolling by cute shops. Traveling to new places is exciting because of the novelty and the challenge. Traveling to a favorite destination is equally exciting because of the familiarity and the chance to re-experience a loved activity with new life experiences, making the once familiar, slightly different. During the walk today, I encountered bleached blond soccer moms who came to the trail to escape thier children but could do nothing but talk about them; harmonica playing men perched on the hills cheering the runners on, new couples who strode together carried by thier fresh love, dogs who are as fit as their owners, and dogs who did not seem to agree with their master's new year's fitness resolution. It was a great day!