So, after a month lost in Carlsbad Caverns, we've finally arrived in Austin!

No, not really. We've been here on West Annie Street for three weeks now, though it seems longer than that. Or maybe shorter.. No, three weeks: that's about right. Long enough to settle down, fall into a routine, and for the wide-eyed gasping novelty to wear off. But not nearly enough to do many of the things we'd planned. If the story opens with us driving out and establishing a home here, this is the end of the first act. Tomorrow I get back behind the wheel and drive to New Orleans, where Molly's been for the last week. That's always been the midpoint of our adventure: 'Nawlins, then drive back Saturday and I swim the Cap 2K again on Sunday. After that, another few weeks before the calendar tells us we have to fly back to Portland for a bit, return to Austin, then drive back home.

I'd like to be back home, off the calendar. But I might like having two homes, too.

A comparison:

I'm writing this from the Motel 6 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. We did the walking tour at the Caverns yesterday, and here's the proof. Today Scott and Kaki and I will be touring Spider Cave; Molly and Sky and Egan are off at Slaughter Canyon right now. And tomorrow night we'll be in Austin!