Boston to Austin

Chronicling Bryan Person's drive and relocation from Boston, Massachusetts to Austin, Texas
Aug 19
Permalink

Recapping yesterday's rainy final day

Though yesterday’s fourth and final leg of my Boston-to-Austin drive was by far the shortest at a mere 404.7 miles (the first three days were all 700-plus miles), it certainly felt a long haul to me.

The weather was absolutely abysmal, save for the final 30 minutes of the drive, when, in true storybook fashion, the rainy skies gave way to some sunshine.  What a welcome to Austin!

But apart from that final, glorious stretch, I had to contend with several extended stretches of blinding torrential downpours throughout the day. Speeds were reduced to 40-50mph in spots.

There were accidents all over the place, too, with cars having driven into each other or into the median. I landed in a major jam just north of Fort Worth (30-plus minutes of bumper-to-bumper traffic), and eventually jumped off the main interstate (I-35W) in search of an alternate route. Of course, the surface roads were backed up as well.

Along the way, though, I took a much-needed break for a drink and some grub with Jay Ehret at the famous George’s in Waco, Texas (yes, that Waco). It was true Texas, with country music blaring and locals drinking The Big O and having a smoke (not a fan of that part, of course). I sampled a refreshing Shiner Bock. A big thanks to Jay for his hospitality!

Comments (View)
Permalink

Final statistics and notes on the drive

  • Starting time: 6:45am on Friday, August 15
  • Ending time: 7:15pm (approximately) on Monday, August 18
  • Google Maps’ estimated miles for my trip: 2,453
  • Actual total miles driven: 2,536.7
  • Day 1 miles: 717.5
  • Day 2 miles: 705.5
  • Day 3 miles: 708.7
  • Day 4 miles: 404.7
  • 13 states I drove through and/or stopped in (new states for me in bold): Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas
  • Top driving speed: My mother is reading this blog, so better not say
  • Number of speeding tickets: 0
  • Number of parking tickets: 1
  • Number of state trooper cars I saw while driving through New York State: 12 (estimate)
  • Number of cop cars I saw after leaving New York State: 4 (guess)
  • Number of corn fields I passed: 1,726
  • Coolest name of town I saw: Stella (Nebraska)
  • Number of dropped calls: 12 (estimate) — thanks, AT&T!
  • Social media pals I met up with: 9

Comments (View)
Aug 18
Permalink

I made it!

Sitting in the parking lot of the hotel. I’m in Austin! All up, the drive covered 2,536.7 miles over 4 long days. More details to come — but I need to check in first. It’s wonderful to be here.

Comments (View)
Permalink
@TheMatketingGuy, Jay Ehret, and I at George’s in Waco

@TheMatketingGuy, Jay Ehret, and I at George’s in Waco

Comments (View)
Permalink
Stuck in traffic, in the rain, in Fort Worth

Stuck in traffic, in the rain, in Fort Worth

Comments (View)
Permalink
I’m in Texas!

I’m in Texas!

Comments (View)
Permalink
Morning coffee in Oklahoma City withTiffany Monhollon

Morning coffee in Oklahoma City withTiffany Monhollon

Comments (View)
Permalink
on

Tiffany Monhollon (@TMonhollon on Twitter) Take II, at Starbucks in Oklahoma City

Comments (View)
Permalink
on

Tiffany Monhollon (@TMonhollon on Twitter) at Starbucks in Oklahoma City

Comments (View)
Permalink

Day 4 gets going

Headed out for coffee with Tiffany Monhollon. I’ll be checking in here throughout the day.

Comments (View)