Arriving in Texas

It is big. It is huge. It is beyond hot when we arrive. My brains seem to melt under this heavy-weight, insufferable heat. Cowboy hats: now I get it! They're a vital necessity and not some country music singer's fancy, trademark accessory.

We cross the state border coming from Louisiana and the change is immediate. Gone is the bayou, the stifling humidity, the sense of being in true Dixie. Now it's the lone star, the desert-like heat. Most unexpectedly the ever-present "Watch for gators" signs that have been a constant presence since Florida, through Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana give way to a more frightening "Watch for snakes". It does make me uneasy to think about biting crawlies lurking in the grass.

But it's the great state of Texas and I couldn't be happier. It's the entire imagery of Texas that comes to mind once you find yourself crossing the border. It's Ewing-Dallas, the desert, the oil industry, the frontier, cowboys and saloons. And, of course, with such grim warning as the "Watch for snakes" sign, it's rattlesnakes that take up the imagery. Texas, indeed. And the self-evident notion that "everything is bigger in Texas" as the proud motto goes.

As soon as we get to Houston, what's the very first stop?

See what the trials and tribulations of a tesla-wife entail?

Kingdom by the Sea

We don't quite live in a kingdom. It's more of a republic but, let's face it, "Republic by the Sea" does not have half the allure of kingdom and "republicdom" was pushing the envelope far beyond literary elegance. Besides, not that I like Edgar Allen Poe particularly but I have a crush on Paul Theroux. It was his Kingdom by the Sea (1983) which once led me to experience the coasts of Britain only to be assured that the Portuguese coastline is more impressive, more diverse and way less invaded by those infamous boardwalks that really kill the joys of the sea and the beach.

So maybe we don't live in a kingdom by the sea but we definitely live in a kingdom of the sea. The sea is our passion, our essence and our History. The sea is Summer, freedom and contemplation. The sea is and has always been our manifest destiny. With this thought in mind, why not introduce the Model S to the sea? And the sea to the this high-tech land Creature?

For its maiden voyage to the sea, we decided to take the Model S to a beach nearby. The day was beckoning and the beach deserted. Heaven.

It is called Praia Azul, Blue Beach, an apt, beffiting designation although, by the silvery reflexes on the water, one might also appropriately call it Beach of Silver. And the sunset... I leave the words for you.

The windmills of the gods meet the Model S

Up on the wuthering heights, we found the windmills. Freezing cold piercing through your every layer of clothing. But what's that to stop you when you meet the gods of wind, of invention and of tech?

First, there came the gods of wind, Atlantic, fierce and powerful. But the gods of invention harnessed and tamed them and windmills were born to help Man on the path to survival and progress.

When survival and progress were a given, the gods of tech made their way to the wuthering heights and wind turbines started to dot the land in Man's quest for energy, clean, affordable, modern energy. We took the Tesla Model S to meet the gods.

A befitting acquaintace: the super modern EV meeting the super modern wind turbines and their ancestors and all this just outside our house. How cool is that?

For your better judgement, here the gods of past and present-future: the quaint, old windmill and the blasting wind turbine.

Where did we take EV-Sales?

I might be getting a tad repetitive here but... EV-Sales came to visit and we took the Tesla and them to? Right, the forts! We just can't help it, the views are gorgeous and we want to share our little corner of the world (it's the generosity in us).

But let me tell you, EV-Sales were brave! Boy, were they! The weather powers above conspired against us and the day was windy, chilly and bleak. Still, nothing that deterred EV aficionados and a Tesla-wife from facing the elements with a smile on their faces.

We even have Zé Pontes and Dulce to thank for taking us the rare couple picture. O, and guess what is complementing this yours truly Tesla-wife's outfit? My fabulastic Tesla tote, the Aurland tote I got as a Christmas present when the Model S arrived. Doesn't it suit me just fine?

Still at the Forts

Climbing up to the Forts surrounding the valley is not just being met by gorgeous, insanely beautiful landscapes. It is also diving deep into the history of a country with the oldest established borders in Europe, a country which, not used to invasions, still resents what the armies of Napoleon did in the early 1800s.

For me, in particular, going up to the Forts is remembering the trials and tribulations faced by my family when their farm was invaded and they had to seek refuge behind the moats of the Forts (more about it in Eu, do Nada/I, from Nothing).

For my Tesla-husband it is the thrill of taking the Creature out, having a close encounter with History and a closer one with Nature and all this a stone's throw away from home.

Most fortunately, my family survived so that I could tell the (hi)story and play the merry tourist and Tesla-wife at a place that saw the Napoleonic Army defeated and the preservation of Portuguese nationality and independence. I call this a very enjoyful outing.

At Sparkle Target

My ICE set of wheels got serviced at Sparkle Target where, as it happens, the owners are super fans of Teslas. Little did they know I am the infamous Tesla-wife of the bloke who owns the only Model S for miles and miles around.

Shock and awe! What?! Yes! So, we treated them to a little Tesla demo and drove by to introduce the Creature to them. Always a highlight when we show people there's no engine to this Babe!

Ironic as it gets the Tesla Creature found its way into the barricade of ICE (you know the lingo, right? Internal Combustion Engine) in clear proof we can be pretty ecumenic.

To the folks at Sparkle Target: it was a joy! Thanks for the welcome!

Tesla Model 3: ordered!!!

Epic! Historical! Insane! 

We were up at 4.00a.m. GMT just to watch live Elon Musk introducing the Tesla Model 3 to the world! It's got to be love and insanity combined! One hour before the car was presented in full glory before the eyes of the world, my husband placed an order for the Model 3. He says he placed it for me (ain't it sweet?).
What's my take on the car? It looks like a Porsche but it's way, way ahead of any Deutsche Technologie (German Technology) and, mind you, I'm German born and bred!
So, my dears, it seems there will be two Tesla babies in our household! Above, the proof and testimony of "our" order. Elon Musk said deliveries will start in late 2017. I'm guessing here in Portugal we will be lucky to get our little Creature by late 2018. Indeed... it's got to be love and insanity to wait so long for a car.