Update on Austin: Still Weird

After receiving a call on short notice, I was assigned a flight back to Austin, Texas. We arrived around 1pm, so I had the rest of the afternoon. This time I had my running shoes, so I went for a run along the trails next to the Colorado River. Despite some rather strong winds, it was a very enjoyable excursion, but naturally I did not have my camera. I did learn something from that van ride in, however. The Frost Building pictured here is modeled like an owl. Don't see it? I didn't either at first. But if you imagine that the two circles toward the top of the building are eyes and the corner is the beak, you can sort of  . . . see it . . . if you try real hard. And now you know. For dinner, I went to Gus's Fried Chicken, the same chain I visited in Little Rock. The atmosphere of the one in Little Rock was superior, as was the quality of the chicken. Austin overcooked theirs a bit. I should have known. This is beef country. Whereas I had an easy day in Austin that entailed a mere 26 minute flight from Houston, the following day would be a bit more challenging starting with my alarm going off at 3:50am.

After flying the return leg to Houston, I took us down to Mexico City, which is historically one of the most challenging airports for any number of reasons. This time, the GPS did not lose signal and the controllers didn't throw any abnormal procedures at us at last minute. In fact, it was a fairly pleasant experience. The weather was uncharacteristically clear and smog-free. I could actually see the airport as I banked away from the mountains and lined up with the runway from 7 miles away.

As we departed, we were afforded clear vistas of the nearby mountains and volcanoes. The captain expressed that it was the easiest experience he ever had going in and out of Mexico City. I guess this is a good thing? Adios for now.

Lil' Rock

By noon today, I had gone to Mexico City and back. Every pilot I have ever spoken to has said this is the absolute worst airport for getting in and out of. Issues with GPS losing signal near the airport, abnormal approach procedures, and controllers who use nonstandard communications are on the shortlist of the frustrations. Fortunately, my first experience to Mexico City went (mostly) without issue. We lost GPS about 10 miles from the airport, which wouldn't normally be an issue except for the thick haze permeating the city. I had to request vectors to the airport, which even five miles out was barely visible.

I flew us back to Houston, where we sat for a couple hours for our deadhead to Little Rock, Arkansas. There are only a handful of states left in the country that I have not yet visited. And with this trip to Arkansas, I can now check that off the list. I did not have high expectations for Arkansas, but I was pleasantly surprised as soon as I left the hotel. There is a path along the river as in Boise, but the location of our hotel in Little Rock is much more conducive to actually seeing things.  Initially I was going to walk toward the Bill Clinton Presidential Library,

but it was already closed, and I didn't feel I would get much out of seeing the exterior. I walked across the river on an old bridge that was now strictly for pedestrians. Once on the other side, I hunted for a place to get dinner. Yelp had assisted me in picking out a few options. My initial choice was a place called the Flying Saucer, a brewpub type of joint with lots of beers on tap. I sat down at the bar, and waited . . . 
Five minutes later, I decided to get up and walk out. Normally, I would have been more patient, but I had passed a fried chicken place on my way to the Flying Saucer, and deep down I realized I just wanted to eat fried chicken.

I have no regrets. Unlike the prior establishment, Gus's Fried Chicken was an unpretentious and welcoming environment with solid food and southern hospitality. Healthy? Certainly not. Tasty? Obviously. I very rarely order dessert when I am out. Had the server asked, "Would you like some dessert?" I would have said no, without question. However . . . he said, "Can I interest you in pie?" And my natural response was, "What kind of pie?" He listed about six different kinds including familiar types like pecan, coconut, and apple, but the last one he listed did not sound familiar. Of course, I had to try the unknown kind. It was called chess pie, which is like a custard pie. It is evidently a southern thing, and therefore unhealthy, but it was very very tasty. From Little Rock, I bid you *BURP* good night. And excuse me.