Final Day in New Mexico:
It was the final day, nevertheless, it was just as eventful as every other day.
Morning snow covered the earth when we departed for the desert to shoot some guns, which I had never done before. I shot a .22 pistol and an assault rifle. I would’ve liked to shoot the hunting rifle, the gun Daniel is scoping in the photo, except it was jamming.
I can see how people get a high off going to the range, but I just can’t relate emotionally. I think it’s important to understand the safety precautions when dealing with a gun. Additionally, I believe knowing how to operate a weapon like that can prove to be beneficial or even life-saving in the future. However, like I said, I just don’t see how it’s fun to just go shoot. It’s like fireworks. The cost-benefit makes no sense to me.
Immediately after, we ventured to the Wild Rivers Recreation Area, the place where the Red River meets the Rio Grande. It was a nice farewell to New Mexico with it being an ever-flowing river and everything. It’s so so so cliche to say but life is like a river, it just keeps flowing.
Daniel and I said our farewells at the bus stop, and then I waited for the bus, only to find it was Veterans Day and the bus doesn’t run on that day. I would like to add there are only about nine weekday holidays during the entire year when the bus doesn’t run and, that day it just happened to not be running.
Daniel returned and drove me to Santa Fe where I just barely made my flight. I was actually so late that everyone was practically on the plane waiting for me. Also, I was so late, I wasn’t allowed to check my bag (???). I don’t know what that was about because my bag ended up exactly where all the other checked bags were under the plane. Anyway, my bag had all my knives, hence why I was checking it. During the confiscation of my knives, this TSA officer kept telling me I’m the last one to board and everyone is waiting for me.
This next part is just for him if he ever reads this, so everyone else can skip ahead if they’d like:
Thanks buddy! Between your walkie talkie chirping in and out asking if I was alive and at the airport and the intercom repeating my name saying my flight is leaving, I really don’t think I could’ve put those pieces together without you telling me!
Luckily, the kind TSA ladies who were taking my knives showed mercy and said they’d give them to Daniel once I explained my situation. Shout out to Daniel for helping me make my flight and keep my knives. The knives arrived in Wisconsin in time for me to bring my trustee pocket knife to Europe.
I eventually walked down the isle of the plane carrying my things in a white garbage bag looking like a wreck. The garbage bag was easier to throw the items TSA emptied out of my bag into. My flight from Dallas to Austin was no easier as my gate number kept changing leading me to tour the entire airport loop twice. I think I’d rather walk to Austin after that, but I finally met John Krauklis in Austin at the end of my very long day.
Austin, Texas:
I can’t say too much about Austin. I was only there for a couple days and wasn’t really able to make my way downtown, where all the excitement is apparently.
We did find our way into a comedy club. Basically, the only comedy club that allows under twenty-ones. It was a quiet night and we were treated like special guests and placed in the front. I wore a “cute” red sweater and the comedians had a field day with that.
It was real nice to see John. Maybe we should head to a comedy show in Wisconsin sometime and compare.
Back Home Activities:
I got to see all the people I love again, and I was so happy. It seems like each time I return, I appreciate those people more and more. Here’s a quick recap of what I did back home:
Beekeeping: My family and I winterized our bees in the hopes they’ll make it through the winter. We’re confident in their strength.
China Garden: Of course, I found myself in the greatest restaurant in the entire universe. Not going would be a sin, and I’m a saint so I had to go. I will stand by China Garden until I die and I highly urge people to give them some business, even if it is just to try it once.
Madison: Johnny, Emma, and I headed to the Badger v Waunekee State football championship where Badger secured the well-deserved win. We also got to, once again, head to the capitol building, but this time, the balcony was open to the public. We got to feel the cold breeze from the lake while overlooking the city.
Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving was actually better than I thought it was going to be. I’m not saying I was not looking forward to it; I wasn’t expecting it to be as wholesome as it was. I hope everyone’s was the same.
Run4Randi 5k: My first ever 5k was completed in the Run4Randi 5k. I really should enter into some more races because it was quite fun. A nice atmosphere I think Randi would have appreciated.
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