Five Months in Austin

Early this morning before dawn, Tim and I were awake. After a couple of walks, we went up to the top balcony and looked over into Juarez.

Later on, we drove out of El Paso during the morning rush hour. The mountains around there are relatively dry.

As the morning wore on, we went from dry to arid, crossing New Mexico on Interstate 10. We stopped at one of those places that sells everything from fountains with built in smoke machines, to stuffed armadillos wearing sheriff outfits, to huge packs of fireworks, to jalapeño peanuts. The children could not make up their minds.

In southern Arizona, the temperature climbed to 99 F, not quite making it to 100. Tucson was busy when we stopped for a late lunch. Phoenix was traffic jammed at 3:30 p.m. local time.

On the way to Flagstaff, we went through a few sprinkles as the cacti and desert gave way to pine covered hills. The temperature dropped to 60 F. Here in Flagstaff, it was 70 F when we got out of the car.

Tonight we did our first all you can eat restaurant. Tim and Emma were pretty happy with all you can eat soft serve vanilla cones. Diane only had enough room left over for one.