The temperature is STILL rising

There goes another week in Texas. They're moving by quickly. We've been here almost a month now. We are staying busy. I have been exploring the hill country by bike when I get the chance. I made the mistake of going for a ride about a week ago in the afternoon. Human beings just aren't made to exercise in this heat. Siesta's were created for a very good reason. I had enough water with me so I was fine and the ride was great, but sort of rough. I went west of here to a small town named Fitzhugh. The road is hilly with vistas across the hill country. The "country" here might not fit the stereotyped definition of country, that being of forgotten lands inhabited by low income peoples. In Michigan the boondocks start not too far out of town. Here you can go for miles and miles and not find the boonies. The cars that pass you on the road become more expensive and the homes turn into sprawling estate ranches with mansions set in their middles.

Leah finally finished her training at Chuys and has started waitressing without the added load of quizzes and criticism with no tips. She has been working most days (not to mention taking care of me) and the experience is improving. As for my work future, I do have some more official dates. I start on August 4 with a week of new teacher training followed by two weeks of planning. School starts on Aug. 24.

Chuy's did not require Leah's service on Thursday so we had some fun in the sun. If you walk about a mile towards town on the greenbelt you come to Town Lake where the Colorado River is dammed. Along the inlet of Barton Creek there is a canoe rental place that we visited. We spent about an hour canoeing out into the lake and seeing the sights. The water provided a great view of the city and gave us another perspective. Living in the water near the inlet are hundreds of turtles. We couldn't believe how many turtles there were floating and eating about us. We counted ten on one log practically stacked on top of one another. The trip went without difficulty until we were almost back to the rental place. We were close to the bank and heard a kid yell cuh-caw. We couldn't see him until he had landed in the water next to us giving us a good soaking. He had apparently been perched in a tree waiting. We weren't happy about it but it was a very well executed prank nonetheless.

Leah's aunt Doris arrived into the airport later Thursday. We picked her up and all went out to dinner at Baby Acapulcos. The food, atmoshpere and company were all wonderful. Doris is a blast and kept us thoroughly entertained. She was traveling to Texas primarily to visit her friend "Doc", but we got her for some of the time. We showed her the Greenbelt Friday morning and then she was off to the south to meet her friend.

Back to the topic of exercise, if you want to get some serious time in you must go out in the morning. I went for a group road ride early Saturday morning west of town. It started at 8am and we rode around the country for about 50 miles. I was expecting to meet a bunch of hardcore athletes that would kick my butt all over the road but was happy to find quite the opposite. They were very relaxed and just out for a nice morning cruise. Apparently the "kick your butt" rides start later from a different location.

Saturday afternoon I did something that I have never done before. In Michigan, every moment of every sunny day must be relished and utilized to the greatest extent possible. Last Saturday, a beautiful sunny day, I closed the blinds, turned the AC down and watched a movie. It was heavenly. Leah came home later hot and tired from work and we watched another movie. Things are different down here. It takes some getting used to.

Sunday we woke up with a fire under our butts and got serious. Leah went to the gym and I went mountain biking. She had a great workout and I had a great ride. I met the president of the Austin Ridge Riders Association. I think that will be a good contact to have as they know all the trails and organize rides and events. We spent the afternoon by the pool and doing house cleaning type stuff.

Sunday night Doris and Doc came back up to Austin and we all had dinner at a barbecue place called the County Line. The food wasn't all that great but the restaurant was perched atop a hill with a great view, and the company was excellent as well.

We haven't seen too much out of Marie and Ryan lately. Marie and I went up north last Friday to pick up a desk and she came over yesterday to hang out and go swimming. They had an apartment warming party last Saturday that we heard went very well but we weren't able to attend.

Summer Institute for the Fellows started yesterday with opening ceremonies. I have afternoon classes this week and practice teaching starts next week. That will take place in the mornings.

Our apartment hasn't changed much of late. We have the necessities all taken care of plus some luxuries so I think we are mostly content.

That'll do it for this one. We hope you are all well and as always, we appreciate updates on what's new and how things are going.

Love Jay and Leah.

I'll leave you with this,

Back to the heat, Leah and I saw a hilarious example of it's effects on Sunday. In the oak tree outside of our window were two squirrels completely zonked out. It looked as if they were taking a siesta. Don't worry, they were not dead.