"If Texas can secede from the US, can Austin secede from Texas?"

I didn't buy that postcard at the Austin tourist shop, but I thought the catchphrase was worthy of further publication. I left Port Aransas yesterday after three lovely nights on my grandparents comfy couch, and headed north, taking the more-scenic-than-1-37 route along Hwy 181 North. The sides of the road was covered in places with craggly cactii, growing in spiky circles in every direction. You surely don't see that in Michigan. Across the flat, brown plains that seemed - and did - stretch for miles were cattle ranches with cows of every shape and color. I even saw a pasture in which cows and sheep grazed together. Not exactly the lion laying down with the lamb, but you get the idea.

I checked in at the Hostel on S. Lakeshore Blvd - and if you're ever in Austin, I recommend it - and headed out on my bike along Lady Bird Lake..."which is actually a river, not a lake - don't be fooled," the lady at the hostel informed me. There is a hike-and-bike trail that runs both sides of this river all the way through the city, and on this sunny afternoon it was covered with runners with ipods and walkers with babies and dogs and bikers and me. I reveled in the freedom of movement my bike gave me throughout the city. As I lay in the sun on a dock by the river, I closed my eyes just to soak it all in by the feel of it. When I opened them, I found a brave and curious squirrel staring me right in the face. I've never been so close to a squirrel. I loved watching all the different people and being completely annonymous for a day. I wandered up and down Congress street and around the Texas state capitol building. I celebrated finally having a full-time job by chatting with the Greenpeace women on the corner of 6th street and actually signing up - instead of just thinking about it like I've done a thousand times before and then deciding I don't have quite enough money yet. I found cheap tzatziki - cucumber yogurt dip...don't worry I can't say the name either -- during happy hour at a greek restaraunt. Austin, TX does seem to be a horse of a different color in this state, and I would surely come back. Until then, it's on to Amarillo. Pictures soon - I lost my camera battery charger, but think I found what I need on craig's list...