Flight to Texas

As the minute hand drew toward 3:00 PM, a nervous anticipation welled inside me.  I remembered a couple last-minute task but was intercepted by an influx of customers.  I routed the first client to Amy explaining my near departure.  A strong longing to depart seized me as I quickly took a payment and slid out the door when my cousin arrived back from lunch. 

Despite the harsh chill of the wind flowing straight through my fleece, my lips curled in a smile.  As a wise friend of mine might sing “We’re on vacation from work, and jerks, and the jerks that work at work.”  But enough of that, I instinctively pulled the stick to reverse and began my vacation. 

Of course, many obstacles continued to delay me.  Almost immediately, the blinking yellow lights of a school bus brought my vehicle to a halt as the bus hacked up some lingering flam.  My speed increased on the highway hindered only by blast of burgundy.  To make matters worse, a cycle cop pulled out and my jaw dropped as an onslaught of vehicles delayed the green.  I had one more very necessary delay and decided Shell would have to suffice.  As I veered into the turn lane, I felt a strange sensation as my car emitted a low, descending moan and the controls stiffened.  Despite the indicator showing a steady E, I had run out of gas! 

I still had momentum so I cruised ahead and slightly uphill continuing straight through the intersection from the turn lane and yanked the resistant wheel to the right.  The waning forward motion just barely brought the gas cap within hose reach of the nozzle.  Whew!  I couldn’t believe my good luck.  13.83 gallons later, my car vroomed to life and the race began.  I felt hurried and my driving embodied that feeling.  I cranked the tunes and NASCAR’ed to the airport arriving 10 minutes earlier than average.  I definitely felt on top of my game, driving in top-form. 

A little early, I chose to risk the Economy lot.  I chose a spot near shelter 10.  I felt surprised and gladdened to hear a rudimentary heating system cough to life as I punched a black, wall-mounted, button.  I waited only a minute or two before spotting the splotchy bright bus making it’s rounds.  I dug through my pack for meds to aid my aching sinuses but opted not to dry swallow. 

Soon, I stood in front of a mirror ripping, pushing, and tearing at the plastic barrier preventing my consumption of the second pill.  It finally shot out across the counter top and I admitted defeat.  My sinuses would have to accept a half dose.

Security ran smoothly though I had to trash a small bottle of lens cleaner.  Not long after, I munched on carrots, celery, kiwi, and PB&J while my eyes sucked in the surrounding circus of people fidgeting, sleeping, reading, and racing throughout the gate.  A healthy dose of Backpacker (magazine) followed my meal and then I stood waiting…

After my ritual pat, I entered the plane and stuffed myself and my backpack into seat 13 F beside an off-scent business student.  A little more Backpacker led to a sedated nap from which I awakened just in time for juice and water.  Further into Backpacker, the plane began it’s descent soon landing in Memphis, TN.  I departed and quickly found the gate for my delayed flight but restlessness soon got the better of me.  I walked to the confluence of the two Gate B sections and stepped into a small bookstore. 

I found the travel section and picked up Texas Off the Beaten Path: A Guide to Unique Places.  I turned to the hill country and found a new site to visit called the West Cave Preserve which sounds really cool.  It’s a collapsed cave passage forming a canyon.  Then, I ventured into the A gate and walked until my backpack began to feel quite heavy.  I hiked back to gate B thoroughly enjoying the springy rubber conveyor belts.  I read of a little bit of geology (Physical Geology 10^th Edition by Plummer McGeary Carlson) and downed a powerbar. 

Now, I’m sitting in seat 13 F next to a dancing instructor from Canada and a San Antonio resident returning from Germany.  After we landed, I waited as someone else checked out their rental car.  Much waiting took place to get the car.  Once free of the airport, I drove to Enchanted Rock State Park.  I often had to slow down fearing that one of the twenty, small deer alongside the SR 965 would bolt in front of me.  At the park, I paid $8 for primitive camping and $6 for park entry.  Then, I prepared the back of the jeep for bed.  I couldn’t find the window buttons and finally declared it had none.  I wanted to crack a window so I wrestled with some webbing until I finally bound the tailgate window in place.  It felt quite cold outside, probably in the 40s, so I slept rather poorly.