Day 16 - CHOMP! THUMP! THWACK!

For the last week or so, I've had the restaurant search page for Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives as my homepage on my phone. Friday was the fist day I found a good match and ate at a Guy Fieri approved establishment.

I chose the Magnolia Cafe, open 24/8, with the motto "Sorry, We're Open."

I went to the location closest to my hotel and found a cute, tchotchke filled diner, with plenty of booths and plenty of things to look at.

Including a pterodactyl in a top hat

They are an all day breakfast kind of place and I was torn on what meal to order, but I ended up going with the reviews I'd read, and ordering the veggie reuben. (I didn't even have to augment it!)

As I waited for my food, a woman came over to me and -- after explaining that she was not hitting on me -- told the that everyday she tries to compliment someone on something. Today, she was complimenting me on my cute (and unintentionally) retro look.

I thanked her kindly and thought it was only a little bit creepy.

My meal came shortly -- a standard reuben, minus the meat, plus peppers, onion, and avocado -- and it was totally delicious.

Mid-bite, the woman came back to my table. This time she was asking for a dollar to help tip the waiter. She said she didn't have any more cash left and she didn't want to put $1 on her credit card because of something having to do with child support. I gave her the dollar.

After my meal, I went to the shop next door to peruse souvenirs.

When I was planning my trip eastward, I tried to plot a route that would avoid Texas as much as possible. Austin is the only city that I felt comfortable visiting, and I'm glad that I did.

It was from Austin that Portland stole it's most famous bumper sticker:

The original turned into . . .

. . . and then kind of went off the rails, becoming . . . 

. . .  and . . . 

. . . yeah, I think we're meeting our goal.

They had a few t-shirts with the Austin motto, but I chose a coaster with Pee Wee Herman on it. (I'm sure I don't need to justify that to any of you.)

It turns out, I don't

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After shopping, I refueled and bought a car wash (that'll teach me to park under a popular bird hang out).

And just to give you a better idea of this cricket thing they got going on:

Those are not wood chips 

With a mostly washed car, I headed south to the crazy summer event I couldn't miss. (PS: Phyllis, don't smell this post.)

The Luling Watermelon Thump

I stumbled upon the above article and scoured it to figure out if any events would match up with my trek. The Watermelon Thump fit perfectly.

I arrived just as the festivities were beginning. I began by wandering around, taking in the sites.

They really take this watermelon thing seriously. There were:

Watermelon banners

Watermelon bathrooms

Watermelon buckin' broncos

Watermelon umbrellas

Watermelon shops

Watermelon crazy hats
(Look how excited they are to be wearing them!)

And even actual watermelons

It seems this festival has been going on for some time. At least since 1954.

It was also a real carnival with rides, games, booths, and foods.

Ride

Game

(Although I'm not sure how lucky those fishies are)

They were lucky enough not to be taken home by the family that bought
a bucket of balls and wasn't able to land one in a fishbowl

Booth and food
(This booth of republicans would nuke a plate of nachos just for you!)

I purchased a souvenir pendant, but passed on the "My First Thump" t-shirt.

After stumbling upon the Spitway, I caught the tail end of the seed spitting contest for ages 1 to 5.

Here's the windup

And the pitch!

That seed went almost 20 feet

That little girl won 3rd place and received her trophy from the Watermelon Thump Queen and Princess.

Here is the official Watermelon Thump Queen garb:

I bought a slice of actual watermelon from the booth of junior high cheerleaders. It was served with salt -- something I'd never tried before, but now highly recommend.

I ate my slice under a watermelon umbrella.

And as I was admiring the rich wood-grain-like pattern on the seeds . . .

. . . (hold on, the story takes a turn here) . . . a kid at the hamburger stand in front of me fell down. He spilled his shaved ice and was shaking slightly. I realized he was likely having a seizure.

It was one of those times that should have a soundtrack, but since it didn't everyone was just kind of awkward and unsure what to do -- it didn't seem like the kid was known to have epilepsy.

His family got the kid up and over to the table where I was sitting. I did my part and got up and out of the way. The Thump safety officers and paramedic arrived just as I was leaving.

I felt totally useless at the moment, but it reminded me that I'm on this trip to learn how to help people like that . . . except not children and probably not in Texas.

Later that night, I was reading one of the latest posts from Jen of Cake Wrecks whom I mentioned in an earlier post of mine. She's shared the details of some of her medical issues in the past, but this time she poured her heart out. Her story, and others like it, is why I am choosing to dedicate my life to gynecology and not midwifery.

Women's health has to be done well, I think I have the capacity to do it well, and I'm on my way to find out for sure.

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On the way back to Austin, I was accompanied by this beautiful sunset:

I was also accompanied by a twack, twack, twacking sound that seemed to be coming from the right rear of my car.

It seemed to be speed up when I sped up slow down when I slowed down. I pulled over and looked for a branch or something, but all looked clear.

Still, thwack, thwack, thwack all the way home.

I'm hoping it is one of those automotive problems that goes away by itself by tomorrow morning. I'm sure all will be well after it rests in the parking lot to the soothing sounds of crickets. Right? Right?!

Saturday, I will be in Louisiana for the first time (if my chariot will still ride). Wish me vegetarian food!


Odometer Start: 37915
Odometer End: 38016
Miles Driven Today: 101
Miles Driven Total:  4196
Today In/Around: Austin, TX and Lulling, TX
Tomorrow: Baton Rouge, LA
States Visited: 8 (Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma)
Points Awarded to Anyone Who Can Tell Me What the Watermelon Thump Refers to: 50,000,000 (I made sure to ask before I left)