The Cows Keep Moving

Hey! from Shamrock, TX. Don arrived back in Albuquerque yesterday about 1:15. We rushed over to the Rally exhibits so that he could pretend that he actually attended it but by the time we got there most were already down. However, we DO have t-shirts showing that we were there.

On Sunday I managed to snag breakfast at Le'Peep, a great chain of breakfast places and on the way there watched as over 30 balloons took to the air. Then, I visited exhibits, bought those t-shirts and got to visit and have lunch with Lisette, a very long time friend. Lisette and I lived across the yard from each other in Indianapolis when we were wild and crazy youngsters. We're still crazy, but the young part seems to have changed. She has lived mid-way between Albuquerque and Santa Fe for, gosh, 24 years now. Last evening the three of us got together for dinner at a fabulous local southwestern restaurant. Even yesterday and today there were 7-8 hot air balloons ascending in the early morning.

We are now sitting in the middle of no-where right off I-40 and Route 66 and looking out over a Texas range with cows roaming in the distance and a real barbed wire (I touched it) fence. There is such a heat wave that both of us have on shorts for the first time since Tucson, AZ. Despite being 'rural', this little place has all the amenities and 60 foot long pull throughs. It is quite pleasant and relaxing and has filled up with RVs going both east and west. It's one of those relaxed places where ya pays your fee in cash and pick your own spot. Since we didn't unhook the Jeep, we have no idea if Shamrock is a real town. All I know is that it doesn't have a Cracker Barrel and I'm sure you know that's a civilization marker for me.

On to Oklahoma tomorrow and on Thursday we land at Graceland and what could be more fun then a tour of the Elvis grounds, buying an El cookbook and on to Beale Street!

And Don says:

What a wonderful trip this has been! Of course, there are (as Peg points out...) those "special" moments but by and large they are quick to pass (although the worn brake lines we found in California will probably take a VERY long time to get over) ... this has been some real quality time.

I had told Peg I wanted to add a short paragraph in today's blog to say thanks for all the support from so many people concerning my brother Stan who has been in hospital for a couple of months now. I was in Chicago over the weekend by his bedside and his spirits were high as we had some moments together. Our brother Chuck and his wife Betty also came to Chicago from their Indiana home and it was a very special time together. Again, thanks for prayers and thoughts which mean a lot at this particular time.