January 20 to February 14, 2014 NOMADS Project, Mercedes, MS

February 15 (Approximately) to June - Gate Guarding, TX or LA.

June, 2014 - Up to Alaska!

September - NOMADS Annual Meeting, Branson, MO



Sunday, March 18, 2012

It was Saturday

Austin,  TX

We got up Saturday morning and decided we needed to get out and see a few things.  But first it was the weekly laundry.   In this area of the country they call the place a Washerteria.   Always makes me laugh as us easterners know it as a Laundromat.


The Washerteria is about a  1/2 mile up the road next to the Travis County Expo Center.  


There is a large rodeo/fair thing going on.   I think it is for several weeks.  I am hoping there will be a fireworks display some night as we sure would have a good view.


So what to do -   The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is about 25 miles away.  We drove over there to find the place packed.  No room in the parking lot.   No more parking spaces along the roadway in for at least 1/4 mile.    I then saw a sign that there is a festival going on today and tomorrow.  I would rather visit when it would be easier to walk around and enjoy the display.  We will come back next weekend.

Next attempt - a Wildlife Refuge the tour book said was near Marble Falls - 40 some miles away.  Sure didn't seem it was anywhere near Marble Falls.   The refuge we did find had the gate closed to the visitor center.

Okay - we were by then 62 miles from "home" (home is where we park it) so headed on back.   On the way we passed a Goodwill store.  I need some work pants as I've tossed two old pairs in the last month.   I am used to Goodwill  and Salvation Army stores that sell clothing at low, low prices.  The jeans in this store started at $8.99 and went up from there.    Len looked at some paperback books.  I could not believe they were old, used paperbacks priced at $2.99 up!    Not paying that price for old used jeans and sure not paying $2.99 for a used paperback book.

This made three strikes for the day.  

We stopped at a Sonic Drive-in and got sandwiches.  Had not been at a Sonic in years.  They were quite good.  Finally a hit!

When we got back to the rig, there was a note on the door that our NOMADS co-workers were meeting to go to dinner at 5:30.

Another  winner for the day.   We piled into the one truck that would hold the 6 of us and went to the Good Luck Grill.


I had a spinach salad topped with grilled chicken.  Len ordered the chicken fried steak.   They asked if he wanted the small or large size.   He got the large and was it ever!


One steak came home with him.

Here we are.


And this is Bub and Midge Morris and Kitty and John Hahn with Len sitting across the table.


Later I remarked that the day was a bust - no wildflower walk, no wildlife refuge and no new pants.  Leonard corrected me.  He said any day that we get to spend just driving around and enjoying our time together is a good one.  He's right.

It is 3:30 am and I am wide awake.  I suffer from insomnia.   The last time I've had a good length of sleep was Monday.  I was so wiped from not sleeping that it was making me physically sick.  I worked but 1/2 day.  Slept from noon to 4 and was out again from 7 pm or so until 6 and next morning.    I go for days with as little as 2 or 3 hours sleep and then crash for a night.  Hopefully, tomorrow night will be a crash night, as this one sure isn't.

GOOD NIGHT!  I'm going to try to get a few hours in before the coffee goes off at 7.

10 comments:

Kenny And Angela's Adventure said...

Sounds like you had a full day. Now get some rest.

Texas Yellow Rose said...

I like Len's philosophy of any day being together hanging out is a good day. :)

Travels with Emma said...

My guess is you tried to get into Balcones Canyonlands NWR. I volunteered there two springs. Sorry to say, the gates are closed on the weekends. :(

Carol Kerr said...

If your next exploring day is rainy you might try the the Bob Bulluck center down by the state capitol. I've heard it's worth the trip. Will have to go myself when we're back as tourists!

I too agree with Len -- anyday hanging out together is a great one!

Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009 said...

A night with friends can cure any bad day! Glad you ended on a great note. You two are very photogenic. Nice picture!
Also, I agree with Carol and Kevin....try Bob Bulluck and state capitol. Great places. ~wheresweaver

Peggy n David said...

I'm sorry that you had a 'goof-up' day, but you ended on a good note :)

We're in Livingston and having a good time...that steak looked fabulous! Almost as good as Bill & Rose's in D'Hanis :)

JO said...

I can't understand how places that are tourist atractions are closed on weekends. Oh well not for me to guess at. But you did have a good day together like Len said.
Hope you can get some sleep soon.

Donna K said...

Good looking dinner Len has there! Sorry you had a disappointing day but it ended well.

I have never heard of a laundromat being called a washerteria either, and that's from the west coast.

Have you tried Melatonin to help you sleep? It's not a sleep drug, it's sold with the vitamins.

Donna W. said...

I agree that Goodwill was outrageous. I pay $0.70 for paperbooks and $1.00 for hardcover at our store. jeans are like 4.00
Feel your pain on the insomnia thing. Many times I'm up by 1:30/2:00. So many people tell you just go back to sleep when you wake up that early....We would if we could...but your awake awake. Was hoping mine was just because of the hours I work and was hoping when I quit work it would no longer be a problem, guess I'm wrong.

Karol said...

I, too shop at Goodwill and Salvation Army. Last fall all jeans were $4.00. Last spring I got some nice capri's for $2.00. It is right next to the Dollar Tree so two good hits when I go there.