I just agreed to fly in a plane with a guy I met five minutes ago.
This was either going to be the most amazing or terrifying decision I made.
Fortunately, that adventure would take flight in the evening. The afternoon was seated in the 60s and both of us had our youth to take advantage of for the afternoon.
Zac was not a stranger to my pre-planned route. Living in Austin for a year made him well acquainted with the lines on my map.
Lime creek road and other texas ranch roads
Twisty action was in order. So twisty action was going to be had. Zac and I jumped on our two-wheel deathtraps and tore off.
Chillin'. Ridin'. Talkin'.
Our SENAs allowed for Zac to narrate his time being a full-time student at the local Austin flight school and working part-time for a motorcycle shop nearby. Both demanding and rewarding in their own right. He'd still make time for the odd surfer passing through, especially since his experience with surfers was nothing short of brilliant.
Lime creek road and that surrounding area was a breath of fresh air. FINALLY, some curvy roads to enjoy! Per Zac, it had re-opened recently from previous flooding damage that required extensive repair work. Guess lady luck was on my side once again.
Two runs would be enough for us that day. The first with Zac showing me the ropes and the second with me playing the mouse.
Gas before the 2nd pass
Top of novice group
With that under the belt we still had time to check out the iconic Austin Pennybacker bridge. A pretty sight and popular tourist attraction.
Two young studs
Setting off alarms
A solid afternoon.
Evening came and once more both of us straddled our horses to take off.
This time the destination was Austin International Airport.
Amongst everyone at Zac's school, there was a popular barbeque restaurant in Llano (leh-know for texans) 100 miles north of Austin. Our objective was to fill our stomachs with that food.
One problem standing between us and the aircraft hangar was Austin's notorious traffic jams. See, Zac explained to me that Austin was not originally developed with a large population to inhabit it. And as the number of residences grew, the infrastructure did not develop in parallel with that growth. As a result North and Southbound traffic is atrocious. East to Westbound traffic isn't as bad.
But during rush hour everything comes to a stand still. Worse than DC. As bad as LA. But motorcyclists have one weapon in their arsenal to combat this plague...lane splitting.
And so as people expressed their compassion for each other by blaring their horns, a Ducati and BMW danced around a maze of cagers - much to their ire.
"You have arrived" my phone told me, as if I could not recognize the airport.
Zac strolled into the building for pilots and privateers like he owned the place. Everybody knew him and he knew everyone. We picked up whatever airplane was available and promised the nice lady behind the counter we'd grab her a dish.
Seeing that authority of walking in and out with the keys to an airplane, at a major international airport, was hilariously awesome. And here I thought in high school it was cool to secretly drift donuts in my dad's E320.
No mothereffing snakes on this mothereffing plane
And I thought women were confusing
We threw on these noise cancelling headsets that worked quite brilliantly. Zac could hear the air traffic controllers over the engine and my terrifying screams for dear life as well. I've done 160+MPH on a motorcycle, dragged knees, crashed a few times, and here I was about to soil my pants. I met this guy only a few hours ago -
AND NOW I'M FLYING IN A PLANE WITH HIM
He was explaining his craft in great detail while motioning the plane towards the runway, all in fluid motions. It was like having cold water thrown in your face - all the while developing an affinity to it. I was overwhelmed and drawn to it simultaneously.
The gauges, the terminology, engine life recorded by time, meticulous pre-flight checks. I was hooked, there's definitely an appeal to this.
Alright, he's probably a better pilot than I am. So I think we'll be good.
Zac spoke in airtraffic tongue to the airtraffic controllers and they gave us the verbal thumbs up.
Let's fly.
Up, up, and away
Civilization
After X amount of minutes we stuck the landing in Llano. Since the BBQ spot didn't have a parking lot for Cessna airplanes, we picked a vehicle from the, free of charge, luxurious inventory available to the pilots :
One of the crown victorias not riddled with bullet holes was our means of transportation. And it lead us to one of the most delicious feasts I've ever had in my life. Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que:
D-freaking-licious
Honestly, I didn't know what I did to deserve this. Couldn't help but just thank Zac repeatedly verbally and internally. Never did I imagine I'd be having the time of my life in the air and the dinner of my life in Llano, TX.
Couldn't have predicted this happening in a million years. I met this guy like six hours ago.
Our stomachs were satisfied with the steaks which melted in our mouths and fine Mac-n-cheese to top it off. It was time to head home. But not before I filled the plane up with gas and was gobsmacked by the fuel expense.
Your boy fueling an airplane
More than you can afford pal, Cessna
One last view
Austin's capitol building
11/10 approve of this landing
It was a long day for both of us. But one that adjectives could not do justice for. Straight epic. We called it a night and would pick everything up the next morning.
_______________________
Day 7-ish. Calendars became a reference now.
The next day brought insight to this personality. We chatted over the ritual omelettes for breakfast.
Zac lived in Bethesda, Maryland for a good portion of his life. Went to high school in that area and later to the University of Maryland - College Park. Having the aptitude of being a lawyer, he pursued that goal following the footsteps of his parents.
A single moment in his life instigated him to postpone that endeavor and pursue a solo motorcycling trip around the US on a Harley Davidson. (Can be read here - https://advrider.com/f/threads/late-report-3-months-and-15-000-miles-around-the-us-perimeter-spring-summer-2017.1362861/)
His travels, far more epic than mine, involved the Alaskan summer, being held at gunpoint, and discovering his newfound goal of becoming a pilot. Coming from a family of lawyers and studying his former trajectory to become one, this was a novel shift in direction. But spending time with him on two wheels, in an airplane, and in the flesh, I could see that his potential would be enough to convince anyone he made the right choice.
More importantly, he discovered his own purpose.
Zac coming from a jewish background, and I myself a muslim background, there are certain unstated pressures to abide by a status quo. Stereotypes exist for a reason - doctor, lawyer, engineer, accountant, etc. - your destiny is assigned by cultural norms. It can be assumed of you to follow suit.
Forgoing all of that for a motorcycle trip is ballsy. Not only by itself, but also for what cultural ramifications may result from that decision. But herein lies the question - do we live for others or for ourselves? Is our purpose ascribed by others or is that something we must seek for ourselves? What if the journey to that revelation requires a norm outside of the status quo?
Even with the unique backgrounds we were born into we wore the same pair of glasses. We shared the same area, the same school, the same cultural standard, the same passion, and the same exact decision. Our mentalities were emulated within each other. And still are to this day.
Funny what you can discuss over some of Torchy's Tacos. And for the record, the one in Austin was the original restaurant.
Before we toured Austin once more on the bikes I had to bleed the rear brake since it felt a bit soft. Offered some reflections in that time.
Shout out to my friend Imran
Bleeding it (and me dry)
With my bleeding skills making absolutely no difference (because the caliper should have been held upright), I lied to myself that the feel was better so that we could tear around town.
We first visited the University of Texas - Austin, which was significantly prettier than the prison I was released from - known as UMBC.
The university introduced turtles into bodies of water on campus. And over time their population flourished. It's a beautiful distraction to have on campus.
Turtle turtle
Next up was a stroll around downtown and a visit to the capitol building. Embarrassingly, I didn't know Austin was the capital of Texas until we rolled up to that very building.
Bad boys
The dynamic duo
Sup G
With the doggy
The city's landmarks looked familiar in the flesh after our aerial reconnaissance the night before. And so we concluded our outing - opting to end the evening with a birthday feast for Zac's roommate.
The feast would bring a sad attempt at cooking oatmeal cookies. What became Zac's duty of roasting her cooking capabilities quickly evolved into me taking those liberties as well. Regardless, good vibes illuminated the room and a camaraderie was further brewed.
We cooked rocks
Holla atcha boys and lady
My time in Austin was approaching its conclusion. And the sentiments I shared with my friends in Jacksonville, New Orleans, and in Spring, I now shared with my friend in Austin.
Zac was, and is, a stupendous figure I was fortunate enough to befriend. I can only attribute it to fate that we'd run into each other in this fashion and location despite previously living near each other. Perhaps it was destiny that we'd make similar decisions at our respective times. And meeting each other was a reminder we made the right decision.
Eventually we all called it a night and exchanged our salutations since I'd be out the door early.
And I went to sleep a grateful man.
The next day was a 500-mile ride through the Medina highway and the infamous three sisters in order to reach Alpine, TX. Big Bend National Park would be the day after.
More twisties and outback exploring. I'd been passionately looking forward to Big Bend.
Finally...yes, my dream was coming to fruition.
__________________
Early 2020, Zac and I were able to meet again - this time at my house. Four of us gathered that evening to talk about our similar life epiphanies that lead into our trips and those we discovered during them. All of us UMD grads and having crossed the country on our motorcycles. It was a great moment and I was happy to see our interactions come full circle.
Catching up at my house in 2020
Left to Right:
Yun - Traveled to Alaska then to Patagonia on a DR650 over 9 months
Max - Completed the Trans-American trail on a DR650 over two months
Sal - Your boy
Zac - Rode 10,000 miles around the US on a Harley Davidson over 3 months
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