Ten years ago today, I moved to Texas.

This week, Ed and I took a somewhat spontaneous road trip across the state. We started out driving down to Becky’s house in Boerne, in the Hill Country. We visited Guadalupe River State Park, spent some time picking out rocks from Becky’s property in Medina, and went to San Antonio for the first time in a long time. The Riverwalk has been extended, and we walked it in the (chilly rain). It was great to see Becky and Boomer and Henry. We looked for (but did not see) rare golden-cheeked warblers.

Next we set out for West Texas, staying in Alpine and visiting Marfa, Terlingua and Big Bend National Park (so far). We saw art, tumbleweeds, a javelina, axis deer, an orange blue moon, and ate lunch in a school bus.

Tomorrow we plan to hike in the Davis Mountains.

So to review, for my 10th Texas anniversary: driving, friends, Mexican food, Alamo, fossil-hunting, hiking, tumbleweeds, weird animals, immigration control checkpoint, whacky food, installation art, big skies. Seems about right.

Happy New Year, everyone!