February 8, 2016 – Sunny, 60 degrees

Miles Today: 22

Miles to Date: 11,513

States to Date: 28

There are times when even cyclists need an admin day. I spent the morning in McDonald’s, America’s Living Room, catching up on my posts, chatting with homeless folks and a trio of cross-country backpackers. I spent the afternoon at a public library, America’s other Living Room, scheduling my hosts and conversations in Houston amidst pairs of elementary students and after-school tutors struggling through the task of formal learning.

In between I enjoyed a Texas-size lunch at Whataburger. The regional chain has a great system and distinctive food, which explains why it was packed while McDonald’s was near empty.

I also rode through a variety of Austin neighborhoods. The city is a patchwork of classic Southern bungalows, wood frame cottages, and basic houses exploding with contemporary additions; modest homes being demolished for monster replacements, stately old mansions, and less elegant new ones. There is residential construction on every other street.

In late afternoon I pedaled north and west to spend the night with a high school friend, Austin. We had a superb time catching up on forty years of our (mostly) satisfying lives.