So sad! H&D have left for Austin, Texas. They want to start a life in a place that is more friendly and that blends country and city in a good way. Austin has a lot going for it, with parks that intrude into the city, lots of bike/walkways, a huge music scene, lots of young people, and a university. It will be a great place to live. Real estate is less expensive than Jersey. There are lots of good restaurants. Now the house is empty (both of people and stuff). There is lots to clear out still, but a lot of furniture is gone.
E will drive her Mom up to Toronto soon, where they will visit a sister and a new great-grandbaby. Then it's off to Ft. Lauderdale to deliver her Mom to within reach of Jamaica.
Speaking of Jamaica, the roof-top bar is still not open. There is still hope for me participating in it! Music, rum, beer, and food - Jamaican style. The roof area is really nice, with a view of the hills (Blue Mountains) around Kingston and a frequent breeze. This should be a lot of fun. When will we go back? Not sure yet, but we will.
I am spending Memorial Day with Dad and my sister in Chincoteague. This should also be enjoyable. They do not come down this way often, so it is a chance to loaf and enjoy the view.
In a few weeks we will take a road trip down to Austin to visit and carry along a few things that did not fit in the H's car or in the two 6x7x8 pods that they shipped. E and I are really looking forward to it. We have not taken any time lately for ourselves, and we both like road trips. There will be a lot to see along the way (Luray Caverns, Knoxville, Beale St. in Memphis, Hot Spring in Arkansas, and Dallas. When we get there we expect to see a little more of Austin than I have before (E has been there to visit, but just to spend time in meetings in a hotel). We should encounter Texas barbecue (it is the best, though Kansas City BBQ is good.) We will also test out Memphis BBQ while we are on the way down.
After we visit for a while we will continue back via Florida, where we will visit some friends from grad school and from E's work. This should be fun! I am enjoying the planning (finding out new things about Google Maps and my GPS, etc.) Sometimes I think the planning is half the pleasure (though it sounds kind of perverted).
