Austin Commuter Challenge

Since you asked, the Austin Commuter Challenge coincides with Bike Month (May) and encourages people to trade vehicle trips for bike trips. Regardless of distance, anytime you ride your bike rather than turn your car key you get to log a trip. There are team, individual and family "competitions". Those with the most trips at the end of the month win mad bragging rights and cheesy trophies to drink beer out of, or I suppose juice for the families.

The majority of people's trips are within 2 miles of their homes, and 90% of those are made in their vehicles. So I read.

Since I've been commuting to work I've slowed down enough to notice just how many people are on bikes around Austin. Today I passed a little old man cruising Shoal Creek Blvd. (my route for about half of my commute) and said, "Morning". He looked a little surprised to see me next to him, but emphatically responded with a, "Good Morning!" Then a lady pushing a stroller on the other side of the street looked over, smiled and said Hi even though she was on the phone. A second lady who was running, sans cell phone, did the same. It was incredibly refreshing and put me in a really good mood first thing in the morning. It's still an uphill battle to be recognized out there though, as I was cut off twice in a row at the same intersection in Tarrytown, which is a very quiet, pretty slow-paced neighborhood with a lot of runners and walkers out every day.

About half-way through the month I've gotten in 78 miles in 14 trips. Not great, but not shabby either. Hopefully I'll be able to at least double that by the end of the month.

Pace Bend Camping Trip

Commenced with a beautiful sunset.



Still a little muddy after the rains, getting loose in the corners.



New Teeter-totter to play on.



Buddy testing it out.



Beautiful weather and trails had us both excited.

My Dear Friend, Duct Tape--

Why is it that you insist on popping off at me, when I apply you to your position? I know I stick you on flimsy, ugly brown boxes, but please do cooperate.

Even though you are in for a forgettable, dark ride to already visited places, and, upon arriving, you are likely to be given another dark, probably humid home, it would be nice if you stuck it out with your newly acquired, cubic companion.

Because you see, even though this may feel like a very lateral move for you, I assure you that greater things await. You may be lonely in the mean time and you may defiantly turn up your edges. But I predict that when you finally find your home, you will be quite resistant to removal.

--Your Fellow Weary Traveler

Northwestward

I've been wanting to take a road trip up to Vancouver for a while. Now that I'm working 5 jobs, maybe I'll have enough money at the end of the summer to actually make it happen. Wish me luck. Oh, and if you want to contribute to the "Rachael's Summer '09 Road Trip to Vancouver" fund, feel free. Seriously.

Here's the proposed route up there:
View Larger Map

And the proposed route back:
View Larger Map

6000 miles, 4 and a half days of actual driving, plus all the time taking pictures and exploring, chatting with locals, takin' it in. I want badly to take Buddy with me to see it all, but I don't think he would ever forgive me for making him spend that much time in the truck. He's already sick of driving to San Antonio all the time.

I really really want to do this. I guess I'd better find a 6th job. Anyone hiring??