Day 31: Drenched, Tired, and She's Alright With Me

Texas sucks.

Okay, that's not entirely fair to say, but over the past couple of weeks, I've realized that Texas is not for a surfer like me.

For starters, the dude ranch we went to was actually a working ranch, meaning we had to work the whole time we were there. No work, no grinds (that's "eats" for you haoles). It was no problem, but I could tell Bry had a bit of problem with Mr. Carroll, who was the head rancher. We actually went on a cattle drive a week ago, before the rains came. There were a few problems, Mr. Carroll's rival, Mr. Lewis, wanted to shut down the ranch. So, we helped raise money and actually helped save the day in the end.

That doesn't sound bad, right?

Well, that was actually the best part of the trip. Like I said, it rained, and rained, and rained there. I almost felt like I was growing gills at one point. I wanted to just dry out. To make matters worse, the ragtop ripped. So, we spent a lot of time trying to stay dry. Then again, maybe I was wrong.

Maybe Texas IS for a guy like me. Still, it's too much rain, and at least at home, I can chill in the warm, quartz-covered beaches under a piercing, merciful sun. Too much rain.

Yesterday, the sun actually came out and we were back on the road. Funny thing is that by the time we got to the hotel, we heard a thump. Didn't pay it any nevermind at first. Come the next morning, which is today, a woman woke up in our backseat under the sheets screaming.

She was just a few years older than us. Red hair, slightly tanned skin, a few freckles above her nose, piercing green eyes. Now, knowing that we probably should have called the cops on her, there was a sense of warmth and trust my brother and I felt around her. She told us her name was Layla. Coincidently, that's the song that played on the radio minutes after she introduced herself. I took it as a sign of sorts. Bry thinks I'm nuts.

So, at least for one more day, the brothers are now a trio of road warriors. We're heading to El Paso, her hometown. We might end up spending the rest of the week down there. Still, tonight's sleeping arrangements have been a bit . . . interesting to say the least. We had two twin beds and a couch. I was a gentleman and offered Layla my bed.

I challenged Bry for the other bed, to which he said "Well, you're the fool who gave her your bed." Still, island rules applied, and I had to play jankenpon, best two out of three.

I'm on the couch in the other room. Layla divided the quarters in half (wouldn't that technically be dividing the quarters in eighths?) splitting her side of the room from Bry's. That's why I'm typing so early tonight. It's going to be a long night.

Hope you guys up in Canada have a great Canada Day tomorrow while you folks in the States enjoy Independence Day on Wednesday.

Until the sand and the ice met, mahalo and latahz.

- Quen

P.S. I don't know what Jeff's planning at The X Bridge after the fourth, but I'm keeping my eyes on it. I asked him what's it all about, and all he told me was "wait for it." Good guy, but a little loopy in the head. Mahalo and latahz.