Driving from Austin, TX to Carlsbad, NM

The landscape changed completely during this trip. From the green rolling hills of Texas hill country to the flat red desert of New Mexico. Along the way, we climbed from a very low altitude to nearly a mile. This was the very beginning of a long acclimation to high altitude living!

Along the way we stopped at Cooper's BBQ and I had the best brisket ever. Seriously, I didn't know brisket could be this good... We also saw a bunch of wind farms and some seriously crumbling poverty-stricken one-stop-light towns.

P.S. I busted out The Orb for some "Little Fluffy Clouds" out there (even though it wasn't Arizona). I also picked up their new album the other day, it's awesome. I'll post it up eventually.

Austin with the Norrs!

It was great to see Norr and Jen again and to meet little Jake for the first time!



Norr's spankin' new pad:


Jake, Jason, & Jen:




The many faces of Jake:








Carson and I also poked around Austin a bit: partying on the 6th St area, checking out Mount Bonnell, and going for a swim in Barton Springs. (We brought a waterproof camera into the springs and also snorkeling in the FL Keys, but that uses real film, so they'll come around eventually.)

Here are a few shots from Mount Bonnell:






Next up, we drive across West Texas and New Mexico to Carlsbad Cavern! Stay tuned!

Norr in NYC

I'm planning to spend a night or two with this guy in Austin during our road trip, but since he just made in appearance in NYC I figured he deserved a post.



UPDATE: Looks like Norr with be in St. Augustine on business during the time I will be in Austin :( That sucks!

UPDATE 2: We worked it out and ended up hanging in TX!!!