Killeen, TX (USA)

Up very early (0600) so I could check out of my room (IHG Army Hotels on Fort Hood) and get breakfast as soon as it was available. After getting some gas for the rental car (0730), I got on the road. Had a chance to see Killeen by day - I had been in the area (airplanes) over the years but never left the base... The town sure has a lot of stuff for the military families! It took some time to get back to I-35 - and then I had to get gas in Temple (0750). After that, made good time as I continued north on the Interstate. Indulging myself one more time on this trip, I stopped in the town of West to get some kolaches. I'd seen the sign for the Czech bakery there several times but never stopped. When one of the ladies at the Spoetzel Brewery (yesterday) told me how good they were, I decided to buy some to take home to Nicky and the kids. And, boy, were they popular!!! The line was out the door - everyone wanted some of these pastries (which contain fillings like fruits, cheeses or meats inside a bread roll). I waited patiently and was rewarded with some tasty loot.  After this, I got back in the car and headed to Fort Worth. This time, I encountered several serious examples of road-rage. It is pretty unusual, I think, for Texas. First, I was cautious while driving on the frontage road - in West, it was two way, with the right of way for the people getting on the Interstate. Well, anyway, I made one of the locals really mad when I slowed down to make sure I didn't get into an accident - his gestures were very clear... Later, as I approached the I-35 split (to W & E), I nearly got run off the interstate by a large pick-up - full of a family, no less. I long ago determined that it is best not to mess with pick-ups in Texas - but when they just come over into your lane with no warning, you have to hope for LUCK alone... I don't know what it was - early morning on a Saturday after the Rangers lost two to San Francisco? I was relieved to make it back to the Enterprise Rental Car office in North Richland Hills (0900) - they didn't have to charge me for an extra day because I arrived in time.  Still, I felt even happier when I finally got all the way home (1045).  Interesting trip!