I’m Back!
Willy Nelson: On the Road Again
Going Back for a Visit – Day 1, April 18
Late start leaving the house (my fault), but got to the airport in time thanks to my wife’s skillful driving. Going back to visit relatives in Texas.
People along the Way
Met Micah, young man going back to Hawaii to resume college and visit his parents who live there. We had a long conversation as we waited to board our flights. We talked about occupations, photography, and family, that kind of stuff. He told me he was a business management major, but wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do. I told him what I did and that I changed majors three times before I settled on what I liked. I suggested that he allow himself the time to choose what he really liked doing. His flight was announced, and we said our goodbyes.
Stream of Consciousness (my impressions)
Walking into the warm airport terminal from the chilly Portland morning air . . . noisy, people struggling with their cumbersome bags (I need a wheeled bag), checking departure status, people corralling their kids . . . going through security, empty my pockets, take off my shoes, raise my arms in the scanner, put it all back together . . . had lots of time and was hungry, ordered a big breakfast, ate only part of it, nice smells of coffee and food . . . walking to the gate, observing people, people with their devices, talking, almost got my camera out but left it in the bag . . . thirsty, refilled my water bottle, almost time to board, noticed a young couple with two kids, one very young, thinking to myself that group will be in the row behind me with their screaming kid (didn’t happen).
More later.
Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (Spring)
Going Back for a Visit – Day 2, April 19
Besides the wonderful sunshine, what else can I say about my Thursday in Texas? It was great! I did a long walk with my sister who lives in a small town near Austin. We walked along a creek near her house, exploring. After that, I did a nice run into town (also exploring) along the Brazos River, stopping along the way to talk to people, pet friendly dogs, and take pictures, which I included in my slide show. The town has many historic homes. To top off the day, my sister and her son and I had dinner and drinks in town at one of the popular eateries along the river and watched a beautiful sunset. It was a darn good day.
Stevie Wonder: You Are the Sunshine of My Life
Going Back for a Visit – Days 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, April 20-24
The musical introduction for this post was selected mainly because the sun has been amazing on this trip, warm and sunny all day, almost every day.
Friday we went into Austin to spend some with my oldest sister. She was in the process of unpacking and settling in to her new abode, an apartment complex in northwest Austin. It’s a great place with nice stonework and a nature preserve right there, with deer roaming in the woods. I included some pictures.
Saturday was another busy day, another sister and I traveling to our old hometown, Liberty. We had Mexican food with some of our friends that we hadn’t seen in quite a while. It’s fun to go back and see people you grew up with. We drove around the town to see what had changed in our old stompin’ grounds, quite a bit, but also some things that looked familiar like the house we lived in, back in that other century, still standing. Then back on the road to travel to my other sister and her husband’s home in the countryside not terribly far from Austin – they call it Sky Farm.
Sunday was our “sibling gathering” there at Sky Farm. Lots of things going, moving bee hives, relatives arriving with their kids and with food, taking the tour of the property that has a lake, but the most fun was sorting through and talking about our family pictures going back to our great grandparents.
Monday and Tuesday back in Austin to stay over at my sister’s new place. I got in a great run in the nature preserve and nearby neighborhoods.
Back to Portland tomorrow, it has been a great trip. Enjoy the slide show.
The Monkees: Last Train to Clarksville
Looking for a Rufous 
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