Brazoria County

Chapter 39: Texas - Lone Star State III

From the wetlands to Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, our journey through Texas continued with unpredictable weather, bold flavors, and unexpected reunions.

Houston: A Rainy Welcome

Houston marked the easternmost point of our road trip, greeting us with relentless rain. We adapted quickly, indulging in yoga sessions, cozy cafés, and Texas’s eclectic culinary scene.

Theo was eager to try local flavors at BB's, where a pot of New Orleans-style shrimp arrived steeped in a fiery broth with potatoes, sausage, and beans. The seasoning was... intense—like someone accidentally emptied the entire spice rack into the pot. After that Tex-Mex misadventure, we switched back to Asian cuisine.

At "Bà Ký," I had my first "Bún Sương Bà Ký"—dew noodles with lobster and shrimp balls, paired with a bounty of fresh herbs: finely shredded banana leaves, Tong Ho (chrysanthemum greens), Chinese leek, Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime, peanuts, and crispy fried onions. The flavors danced on my tongue—bright, fresh, and utterly invigorating. Theo savored garlic noodles with crawfish, another flavorful hit. I wished we’d explored even more—sugarcane juice, sticky rice with coconut and mango, or bean drinks with jelly grass would’ve been perfect.

A Dream and a Memory

One morning, I woke from a vivid dream. I had wandered through an enchanting forest, searching for something elusive. Just as I felt lost, guides would appear, leading me forward. Though the quest’s purpose remained a mystery, I awoke feeling energized and hopeful.
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating floating dust particles. I smiled, remembering my baby nephew trying to catch those shimmering specks. In my mind’s eye, I saw family faces—my dad walking toward my nephew, my brother beaming at my sister-in-law, my mom caring for my grandma. The day outside sparkled with promise.

Climbing Adventures in San Antonio

After five rain-soaked days spent at the YMCA, yoga studios, and Armadillo Boulder, the sun finally emerged. We headed to Salado Creek’s Medicine Wall for rock climbing. Morning dew and swarms of mosquitoes nearly drove us away, but the thrill of the climb prevailed. A curious red fox even strolled by as we scaled the cliffs.

We met Connor and Stacey, a fun-loving couple, and together we enrolled in a trad climbing course at Enchanted Rock. Trad climbing meant setting our own anchors in the rock’s cracks—a whole new challenge! Our instructor, Adam, was a Texan storyteller extraordinaire, spinning hilarious tales about politics and gender dynamics while teaching us the ropes (literally).

Our feet ached after scaling routes like Jackknife, Cave Crag, and No Sweat & Sweat (rated 5.4 - 5.6). It was our first lead trad climb—exhilarating but not quite my thing. The weather kept us guessing—one day felt like autumn at 28°C, while freezing nights sent us scrambling for our extreme sleeping bags.

Enchanted Rock and Hill Country

We hiked to Enchanted Rock’s summit before sunset, marveling at its massive granite formations, reminiscent of Yosemite’s Lembert Dome. A raccoon dashed by as we soaked in the magical view. The diverse flora and fauna of Hill Country thrive despite Texas’s dryness. The mild weather abundance of wildlife —a perfect retirement haven for nature-loving souls.

Austin and an Unexpected Reunion

Before reaching Austin, we boondocked at Pedernales Falls State Park. MTB trails remained elusive due to hunting season closures, though Theo managed a quick morning ride before the next rainstorm hit.

By sheer chance, I discovered that my British cousin Gemma was now working for Amazon in Dallas. We arranged a meet-up in Austin—a delightful surprise, as our last family gathering had been in Cyprus for cousin GiaLinh’s wedding.

We celebrated our shared December birthdays with a weekend full of unforgettable experiences. A bike ride took us along the Colorado River in Austin, where we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the skyline and the vibrant autumn landscape. During a canoe trip, we spotted turtles at every turn, adding a touch of nature’s charm to our adventure. The culinary highlight was the legendary Texas BBQ: tender Beef Brisket, juicy ribs, and mouth-watering Pulled Pork, followed by a decadent chocolate cake and ice cream that perfectly capped off the day. Texas tested us with stormy winds and unpredictable weather, but it also gifted us with cherished memories, a deeper sense of family connection, and thrilling adventures under its ever-changing skies – a weekend that will stay with us for a long time.Read more