I took an unexpected trip to Austin over the weekend. And I write “unexpected” because I didn’t know I was going until Saul called me at midnight on Friday to tell me that he had a flat on the way to Austin and needed me to give him a ride the rest of the way. This was his weekend of drills with his unit (stationed in Austin) and he absolutely had to be there by 7 a.m.

If I had had time to pack, sleep or make plans, I might have actually gotten some sightseeing done. Instead, what I did was drive him to and from the base. I got his tire fixed. I met his commanding officers and fellow grunts.

Anyway, at least the scenery was pretty.