Recharged in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.....k
Karl AugestadMarch 12, 2013
Last email I was recharging my battery in Austin, Texas 
high ceiling, wood floor, good space around tables and top players. the day before the Austin's Thursday night league. Thursday they put me on table #1 with six other players, I played well against a 1900 level looper, however didn't fair so well against Rick Mueller....a modern day defensive player. 
4 of 15 tables in this spacious facility. Considered one of the top 5 TT clubs in USA according to Karl Augestad Rick returned everything as he constantly flipped his racket from smooth spinny inverted to long pips no sponge. In my opinion Rick flipped as often, if not more, than some members of congress. Rick won the table and I held up my number three position.
Austin was a great place to play and their hospitality was beyond compare. The day-to-day manager Kenneth was doing his daily student instructions as well as making sure I had coffee, a place to park the EuroVan at night, and plently of different playing styles to practice against. Perhaps the most tastful thing was to direct me to where the best real homemade Mexican restaurants were located. Gained a few of the ten pounds I've lost back....was worth every bite.
Thursday drove half way to New Orleans before bedding down at a rest stop at the border of Texas and Louisiana. Tired after playing then driving four hours I just found a good parking space, pulled the curtains, and rolled into bed. Next morning I open the curtains and discover I'm parked right next to a sign, "Beware of snakes." Oh well, if it ain't a rattlesnake in Texas it's got to be a copperhead. At least a rattlesnake will usually send a warning, those copperheads are silent and deadly.
New Orleans TTC meets three times a week in the Hilton, approximately three blocks from the Super dome. $5.00 to play pong, $12.00 to park the vehicle. Get full details from Marty (club manager) about where to park before going to the club. Tables share space with basketball, volleyball, and tennis. The floor is the same material as in the Alaskan AT&T building where the Anchorage club meets. All the other activities going on and the same floor, I felt pretty much at home.
After pong, drove to an old friend's home in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Albert Weaver and I played against each other in the 1970s. Albert is 72 years old and taking care of his wife as she deals with advanced stages of Alzheimer. Strange how we sometimes believe time has stopped after we leave a place, we think nothing has changed when we returning. Once again, a reality check.
Today, off to Niceville, Florida to look up another air force friend from Greenland, Al Cornwell. Al bought a seafood restaurant in Niceville before retiring from the Air Force, the restaurant continues to operate, so I'm guessing Al is still the owner or they can put me in contact with Al.
This evening I'll go to the Fort Walton Beach TTC. On the USATT site the club reports only advanced players are welcome tonight. Suppose I'll find out what an advanced player is?
God willing and the creek don't rise, I'll visit with Charlie and Cheryl Hines on Thursday, on Amelia Island, just north of Jacksonville. Visiting Charlie and Cheryl is the primary reason for making this cross-country excursion. However, I've reconnected with old friends and make new friends along the way.
Enjoy every moment.
As ever,
Andy
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