We probably should have bought an extra seat for our bundle of Salt Lick brisket that we bought at the airport. My stomach was feeling a little better than yesterday, as I managed to eat the Thai version of steak & eggs at Sway, another Austin food favorite crossed off the list. With the brisket purchase, we’ll continue to dine on Texas BQQ all this week. Salt Lick is probably our third favorite restaurant choice for smoked brisket after Franklin and Rudy’s. Rudy’s makes the list because our dogs could dine with us on the picnic tables out back. Tinker goes crazy when I stretch out the word “Ruuuuuuuuudys.” She’ll howl with delight as she anticipates a few delicious bites. “Ruuuuuudy’s.” The “to go” bundle, is large enough to be disguised as a newborn or maybe Tinker herself for a ride in our new doggy stroller. (See Post #617).

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Austin is a wrap, after four days of food and friendship. It will be two weeks before we hit the road again. My wife was not happy with the fact we didn’t have a rental car. She felt cheated by not motoring by all her favorite shops and our old neighborhoods. I figure I saved about $150 using Uber, and probably even more by missing some of those stores. Also, the fact that I never really felt very good saved me a lot of driving. With Marriott Points for our hotel rooms and a companionship fare on Alaska Airlines, we were well under our $1000/day travel budget, making it one our most affordable trips.

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Tomorrow, she’ll be back at work, I’ll wear my retirement uniform, and Tinker will be reacquainted with brisket. It’s a spa day for the dogs on Tuesday, and I’ll pick-up the Ken Burn’s Jazz documentary at the library. Thursday will be “Date Night,” as board obligations interfere with tradition. “Leadership Meetings” will resume on Friday after a two-week absence, and “Movie Night” will return on Saturday. I also have plans to see an afternoon horror matinee that I received from Fandango as a birthday bonus. “A Simple Favor” is the name of the movie – a Hitchcock-like thriller.

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Yes, everything will be back to normal at the Johnston household, and “Banister World” will definitely get some attention. In the meantime, maybe an in-flight movie would be a welcome distraction on this four-hour flight. How about Bullitt with Steve McQueen?