Austin is AWESOME

Well, the plan came to fruition. I was checked into the motel and my bike on the ground by 1 PM yesterday. I rode up around Lake Travis. You don't think of Texas being very hilly, but it is here. I believe that's the Colorado River that they have built a dam on just northwest of Austin and the result is Lake Travis.

The part I was on (the lake is actually quite huge) is nestled in a valley between some pretty big hills. The hills are covered with mansions and resorts. Obviously the high rent district.

My first stop was the Oasis - a resort that looks west from several hundred feet above the lake. The view was magnificent from their multiple levels. Next was Carlos and Charlies just a few miles down the road, across the dam. Not quite the view as Oasis but still pretty good as it looks out over a marina. And they played better music.

After taking in the scenery I notice that the lake level was down -- WAY down. It was perhaps 75 yards from the water line today to where it has been recently. In fact, one of the floating docks at the marina was sitting on the ground! I'm thinking there going to have some water issues here this summer.

sidebar -- Speaking of 'water lines', for the last couple of years Atlanta, GA has had a serious drought and Lake Allatoona was down significantly. I can remember a similar situation there with the water being a hundred yards or more from the tree line. Boat docks were grounded. Until recently. When I went by there last week (going down I-75) it was the highest I've seen it in 2 or 3 years. Drought over - for now - I'd say.

After Carlos and Charlies, I was directed to "Bone Daddy's" in the Hilton Garden. I am totally impressed with staff. Imagine 18-25 y/o magazine centerfolds! All of them. I'll be back. They were mighty proud of their drink prices tho. But it IS the Hilton.

But then all good things must eventually end. Besides, it was a 'school' night.

Thank you Dennis for my 7 AM wake up call this morning! What's up with THAT? My delivery was 15 minutes away and THEIR day didn't start until 8:30! Oh well, plenty of time to reload the bike and get my coffee.

I don't think I mentioned. I loaded two carpet cutting machines in Tavares. The first I delivered just outside of Austin this morning. Then drove 400 miles or so and kicked the other one off in Altus, OK about 6PM tonight.

On the way to Altus I arranged a little load out of Ardmore, OK (boy I LOVE my Internet in the truck) going to just north of Lake Charles, LA. It's a small load (two liquid pumps of some sort) and so is the freight rate but it's not easy getting out of west Oklahoma. Not a lot of industry -- just cows. My route goes thru Dallas so hopefully I can add something on in the morning. Those are the GOOD trips - when I can get two.

And now it's beddy-bye time.