I think the Germans settled here because the Texas Hill Country reminded them of Germany. Erik thinks it was the castle at Schlitterbahn that reminded them of home, so they stayed here.

And when it rains, it pours. And New Braunfels floods. I actually backed my truck up a hill in the golf course, and then I noticed that I was on the wrong side of the yellow line. Whoopsie.

I know my route around these hills to The Scooter Store and home again. But probably I should get more familiar.

Thank the good Lord Mike and Kristen, with their uncanny knowledge of every nook, cranny and alleyway in this town, stayed on the phone with me the whole time, from the "I'm lost" realization after the strobeing emergency vehicle on the side of the road to the parking lot outside my door. At one point they suggested I scrap my attempt to get home and just come over. Good friends.

I am soaked to my skin, the only other time I can remember being this wet and not submerged is freshman year, when Doogins and I ran all the way across NDSU campus as the storm clouds broke.