Austin Trip

I have been out for the last week on vacation, so I haven't been posting much to my blog. It's crazy... when I don't sit bored at a desk for most of the day, I actually get out and do stuff.

I had a great time on my trip to Austin. After spending my first day with Shiloh in San Marcos, I borrowed her car and went to Austin on Thursday. I had lunch with my sister then got in a few hours of climbing with my friend Alan at Seismic. Headed over to Matt and Mary Ellen's for a delicious chicken enchilada dinner before going back to San Marcos.

We drove back to Austin on Friday morning and I got ready for my first day of ACL Fest. Matt was kind enough to let me borrow his bike so I could avoid all the traffic (and because I didn't have a car). The shows on Friday were great, my favorite being N.E.R.D. I left the show early on Friday so I could make it up north to Satay for my sister's b-day dinner.

Saturday was also a good day. I managed to wiggle my wristband off on the first day. That let me sneak it back out so Shiloh could get in too. After enjoying The Old 97's (actually I didn't really get to enjoy it because I was texting with my sister the whole time trying to arrange lunch) we left to meet my fam for lunch/drinks. It was great to see my parents, Dave, Jade, and the ever-smiling Marly (their daughter). I really need to get some pics of her up here. After becoming mildly intoxicated on some Mojito's, we rode back to ACL Fest just in time to catch Erykah Badu. After several more hours of great shows and choking on dust, we made our way to Barton Springs for a quick dip. So amazing. Then it was on to the Glamour Shots Party. Embarassing pictures to come.

I skipped out on Sunday and relaxed for most of the day before MEW lent me her car to go to San Marcos for the evening. I spent Monday napping and jogging before going for an afternoon climb with Alan at Gus Fruh. I was really happy with how well I was climbing. My endurance is still pretty pathetic, but I felt much more confident. I was leading a route called Charlie Don't Surf that has a big tufa. After passing the tufa is a thin section that I had forgot how to do. I barely made it through without falling. I really don't know how I didn't fall. My arms were cramping and my grip was giving just as I grabbed a decent hold. I was much more cautious the rest of the route. That evening I spent with Matt and Luis at his new house. It just so happens to be about 2 blocks from my last dwelling.

Tuesday came around and I had nothing to do, and plenty of time. You can imagine my excitement when Shiloh said she was coming up so we could run some errands and spend my last day together. It wasn't until she dropped me off at the airport and pulled away that I really started to wish I had another week.