Fleeing winter

If there's anything a girl should have learned about living in the North, it's that running away is possible, but not necessarily easy. Also: if you're going to head southwest, go south first, then west. Get winter behind you as fast as you can.

All of which is to say that I foolishly went via Detroit, where rotten weather meant a missed connection, which meant arriving in Houston near midnight. The fun part: when the people behind the counter at the car rental agency have gone home, you rent via kiosk. I talked to agent Brandi, live, on a screen, scanned my driver's license and credit card, and the thing spit out a contract. Amazing.

When I finally headed from Houston to Galveston, the drive reminded me of some things about Texas I had almost forgotten, obvious even from the highway: the ubiquitous taquerias and Whattaburgers, the incredible number of spaghetti-like interstate ramps, and the mammoth churches. The one below is right beside the Interstate; I did not take the photo. I had enough trouble staying in my lane while gaping at the thing.

Galveston is"cold" (i.e., 40's), windy, and pouring. It was a perfect day for getting in some groceries and lounging indoors, watching the waves out the window. On to new adventures tomorrow!