The decision to steer away from the river and out of Austin is made somewhere in the back of his had and very logical if he would try to explain it to someone. All along the river in the city are geeks, Ghouls and other people, and where once was lush greenery, trees and shrubs providing shelter, are now stretches of packed dirt exposing everyone getting close to the river in areas without buildings. Then there are bridges, and they are too easily turned into traps. Even if they don't know who they are, more specifically who they are to the Dog King, there are enough people out there that kill for the heck of it and he'd rather not put Rodeo through having to find out his sister has been killed just because his best friend was being an idiot.
So he explains it to himself, because he doesn't just take people to places he goes to to be alone, that defeats the purpose. He doesn't just let anyone waltz into his house either, but he knows that his list of exceptions to the rule has been expanded to include two people, because Adelaide has been on that list anyway.
It is a fairly uneventful ride, a bit of highway heading out of Austin before h turns off, given the circumstances, and without traffic it doesn't take nearly as long as it probably would have a few years ago until they reach a sign announcing they have almost reached Hamilton Pool Preserve. As the signs have informed him on a previous trip it was an underground river before the ceiling caved in, creating a unique sort of half cave in the canyon, and it is still impressive, although not nearly as beautiful as the pictures he has found in brochures and tourist guides.
From the moment he kills the engine he strains to listen for any signs of unwelcome company, dead or alive, and he reaches for his backpack he fastened to the back seat like a god damn saddlebag. Before all this he would have rather shot himself in the foot than using saddle bags, because the next step is a windshield and a fringed leather vest, but there is no denying their practical value in times like these. He also may have packed a blanket and some food, just in case Addie feels hungry. Because that is kind of his job, he figures.
"Ain't the river, but there's no people out here. Usually," he says, once he is half satisfied that they are alone and he waits for Addie to get ready before he leads them along a canyon trail, gun drawn just in case. After a little while he stops at a set of stairs carved into the canyon and looks at Addie. "There's more like these further down but most ain't in any shape to be used."