Category: Trailbook

Sunset Valley to Lake LadyBird

Mostly sunny sky.  Heat forecast.

Stopped at La Madeleine for some orange juice.  Sat at the table and studied the map.  I wanted to cycle from Madeleine to the river without going down a major street—Lamar, Menchaca, S. 1st, S. Congress.

Found two.  I chose one:

Jones Road to Packsaddle Pass.

At Packsaddle Pass, turn left and then to Redd.

At Redd, turn right and to Banister.

At Banister, turn left, And after several blocks 

Dogleg right and to Garden Villa.

At Garden Villa, turn left to Cardinal.

At Cardinal, turn left and to S. 5th.

At S. 5th, turn left.  Home free.

Roll down to the river.

It would be helpful if Cumberland would connect with Bridgeway.

I had to cross a few major streets, but I never had to ride on one.  All easy neighborhood streets.  On S. 5th, new apartment complexes joined old ones and crowded out more houses.

I crossed the river on Pflugerville Bridge, and on the north side I discovered Mañana, an airy cafe with as much outdoors as in, with a long shelter for shade.  The tables are full.  Half the people are chatting with each other, the other half are gazing at their phones.  Families with kids occupy several tables.  One daydreams while her father looks at his phone.

Trip Sheet

Onward by rail

Why do I ride the rails?  First, because it’s the mode of travel that contributes least to the destruction of the natural world. Second, because it’s miles better than the flying torture chambers of the airlines.  Third, because it’s much less work than driving.  Most of all, because it restores romance to the sense of travel. It’s adventure!

I had a hard time sleeping this trip, going north. My insomnia is unpredictable.  My trip going south, crossing different track during the night, I slept well in the roomette.  Can’t say much for sleeping in coach: it’s possible.

Think about all those train stations named Union.  Remember that President Lincoln, while he was wrestling with a civil war, promoted the building of the first coast to coast track that tied the Union together.  We can do it again.

Look for upcoming adventures: 

The rolling stock; The tracks; The politics; The funding; The cost; The alternatives.

One evening on Broadway

At Julian’s.  I walked over in sunshine, but as I walked the sun dropped below the rooftops, casting the streets in shadow.  I’ll walk home in the dark, and that’s fine, but not as good as the sunlight.

That’s the trade off.  I could have walked in the broad daylight, but I would have had to go back to work.  Now, I get the fading light, but I’m free.