South Texas Calls Again

A week under Texas skies with daughter Mary. Record hot and dry; constant wind scorching your face. It this local weather or is it global climate change? The needle swings back and forth. Galileo mutters into his beard.

Austin, Texas and the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America. Cold beer and laughs with old friends from past battles. Young ecologists planning, age-old questions revisited. We have passed them a sputtering torch. God grant them better insight than ours.

Austin bustles. Elegant dinner and nostalgia with a gracious companion. A talented youngster plays guitar in the hotel lobby, and I find an Austin-Athens music connection. We crowd onto the Colorado River bridge to watch the evening bat flight. Too late. We grab a pedal cab back to the hotel, weaving in and out amid traffic. Is human power in our future?

And San Antonio, casa de mi corazón. Upper reaches of the Riverwalk, where morning joggers evade the day’s heat. We park our car where the old Pearl Brewery now flourishes as a shopping center. A leisurely riverside stroll along landscaped footpaths lifts our spirits. Mary councils a young lad who fishes in the river for Tilapia.

We tackle the Riverwalk’s commercial section as well, struggling elbow to elbow with other tourists. (Note to self: Explain to our civic leaders that investment in infrastructure brings enormous returns). Mariachis sing “Jalisco” beside our table. Micheladas chase down traditional Texas enchiladas.

Mary drives us south to Ben Bolt and the trip's highlight - laughs and love with Melba and Bob G. Ranches are ever the backbone of south Texas. So are Melba and Bob.

Athens welcomes us back once again. Life is good.

And remember – see me at “The Balancing Act” on Lifetime TV, September 2, 7–8 a.m., EST.

Dac Crossley
August 14, 2011

“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” – Søren Kierkegaard.

Comments

[Mike Draney]

I was also recently in el casa de mi corazon, New Mexico. Nice to be back there. I miss rocks and mountains and green chile.

I haven't warmed up to Micheladas, though. Beer should not be an ingredient in another drink, imho. Give me a real margarita anyday (or Tecate and lime solamente).

Saludos,

Mike D.

[Katherine Hinkson]

Interesting post. I've been to Dallas for a fast weekend, but didn't get to see much of it. Austin sounds wonderful. I see what you are saying about blogging. Looking forward to seeing you on 'Balancing Act'.