Moving Trip (Part 1) - Day 3

Woke up early (0700L) and had breakfast in the hotel. Lee called to talk to me about Monday - Chris also called. I was able to be sitting in the parking lot of the James K. Polk House just after they opened, allowing me to take a personalized tour of the only remaining resident of the former President. I've always admired the man, since he was one of the only men who ever occupied the Oval Office who kept his campaign promises. The weather was very pleasant and I made the best of it in the gardens around the home. After finishing my visit, I drove west - back to the Natchez Trace to finish the last 30 miles. Turned out to be less of a pleasant ride than yesterday (very windy roads and more local traffic). Still, I finished the whole road (it only took 18 years!). Made my way over to I-40 and drove east for several hours before I had to stop again. Drove right through Nashville and actually made it around Knoxville without being too affected by their rush-hour (lucky dog!). Saw some snow on in a few mountain passes along the way. My goal was to be able to stop in Greenville, Tennessee, at the home of President Andrew Johnson - but I had to get gas as I exited the Interstate onto US-11E. I also had to contend with a time-zone change that happened along the way. Still, I arrived at the National Park Visitor Center just as they were closing (1700L) and the Ranger let me explore some of the exhibits before he closed. The place has an interesting display of Johnson's tailor shop (log cabin), along with several other buildings from the era when he lived in town. For a President who was impeached, you would never know anyone held animosity against him - the town seems to be proud of their native son. I was getting hungry by this time but had one more place I wanted to see before it was too dark - the birthplace of Davy Crockett. Using US-11E, I managed to find it. But it required some risk-taking: the sun sets fast in the Tennessee Mountains... Luckily, there were some good signs for the State Park - but I paid close attention to the landmarks so I'd be able to get back out of the rural area (farm roads) where it was located. When I arrived, it was already too dark to see any of the historical re-creations of the cabin or other relics from Crockett's era - definitely a place to visit again someday. Back on US-11E (after dodging deer and stonewalls), drove North toward Johnson City. Before I got there, I spotted a hole-in-the-wall place to eat dinner: "Pickles" (All you can eat Catfish!). Had some great conversation with the owners and ate my fill before leaving. Got through town and then used I-26 to drive up to Kingsport, where my reward night hotel was. Turned out that it was across the street from a hotel we've previously used (see MAR 2000). As I lay my head down tonight I realized I have always enjoyed my trips though Tennessee - friendly people, pretty views. It feels like home to me. But, after today, it is time to get serious and get to work (....).

Moving Trip (Part 1) - Day 2

I got up around 0700L and ate breakfast in the hotel. During the meal I learned more about last night's commotion: two cocaine dealers (!) were in the room next to mine but didn't have the sense to stay inside. Instead, they ventured out and got into their car just as a policeman happened to do a search of the hotel parking lot. They were, apparently, acting suspiciously - so he searched them, their car and the room. Of course, they were then removed... No more disturbances after that - helped me sleep, anyway. Back on I-20 and got some gas near the Louisiana-Mississippi border - crossed the Mississippi River (first time in Vicksburg in quite awhile) around 1000L. Got off the Interstate west of Jackson and got on the Natchez Trace Parkway. I've always wanted to drive the remaining part of this historic trail - just saw a few short sections in 1993, 1994 and 2000. After getting information at a small visitor's center, I headed out on the road. The best thing about the Parkway is that there are no traffic lights, stop signs or major areas of population - and the speed limit is 50 mph. After I cleared the Jackson city limits, there was almost NO traffic for the rest of the day. I stopped a few times (Indian mounds, other historic landmarks from the 1800-1840 era) but could have driven all day with the cruise control on without ever applying the brakes (that's good, since I need new rotors...). One bad thing, though, is that there are no signs for fuel services on the entire 400+ mile parkway... It didn't matter for most of the day as I had entered with a full tank and I got great mileage (nearly 500 miles in one tank!) but it came back to bite me eventually... Found a section with odd tree damage - looked like a forest fire without the burning (trees chopped off at the top). A hand-made sign along the road identified the culprit: the Spring 2011 Tornado - wow!!! I encountered lots of deer in that area and saw some unfortunate folks' homes surrounded by tree debris on all sides. Saw lots of familiar names - the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indian tribes lived in this area before behing expelled to Oklahoma. Listened to the radio all day. One of my goals had been to stop at the Meriwether Lewis memorial (about 2/3 of the way to Nashville) and I made it there about 30 minutes before they closed. It wasn't much - although they are improving the facilities there - but it had a grave marker for one of the prominent explorers from the 1804 expedition. I feel like I've come full circle this year - with all the places I encountered Lewis and Clark, this was a fitting end. I had hoped to find some gas near that site, but still hadn't found any. Decided not to chance it and got off the Trace Parkway at US-412. Despite some disorientation on the outskirts of Columbia, Tennessee, I managed to locate a gas station. At the same time, I discovered that this was the town where President James K. Polk had lived most of his life. Decided then that this was as good a place as ever to spend the night. Made a reward night reservation on my iPhone (how handy!) and then drove over towards the hotel. Made another mistake, though, because I wasn't in the correct lane and ended up headed out of town again on US-31 (Nashville Highway) before I could turn on the Saturn Parkway and find I-65. Fortunately, my hotel was at the next exit. Checked in and then drove over to eat at nearby Stan's Restaurant. It reminded me of a Cracker Barrel (which was funny, since one of those was across the street) but they had something different: outstanding Tennessee BBQ! I enjoyed my dinner a lot (after snacks all day) and headed to my room satisfied. Spent the rest of the night planning the following day - I want to get the most out of this last chance to "dawdle" on the way to a new job...

Moving Trip (Part 1) - Day 1

The day has finally come! I need to start my new job by next Monday (confirmation letter came yesterday), so I finished up my packing this morning. After the kids got home from school, I spent some quality time with them - including a big dinner that Nicky made (fondue!). Waited until rush hour was over (1900L) before heading out of town - wanted to clear Dallas and (hopefully) Shreveport before morning. Used I-35W to I-20 and then headed out of the city. Traffic was OK out to Mesquite but really improved after that. I realized tonight that I haven't driven on this highway in almost 10 years... Made really good time to the Texas border - and realized (to my relief) that my repair of the cooling valve had been successful. Drove through the busy Shreveport area and then began to look for a hotel. Finally found one in Minden, Louisiana (Exacta Inn) and settled in for the night around 2300L. I was almost asleep when a comotion began outside - several police cars (including K9 unit). Eventually, a tow truck removed the car parked right next to mine in the parking lot (!!!!) but I guess the whole thing didn't involve me... Finally fell asleep around 0100L.

Dallas, TX (USA)

I'd been hearing good things about the Dallas County Public Library for the whole time we've lived in the area but had never visited. With just a week to go before I have to move (new job), I decided to go over there today. Couldn't convince any of the kids to get up earlier than 1000, so I went by myself. It was raining - good day for a library visit... When I got into town I figured out I would have a problem getting near the library to park - there was some sort of big event (turned out to be the annual Christmas parade). It was REALLY hard to get from where I parked across the parade route - but I eventually did. One nice thing was that the library was nearly deserted with everyone elsewhere distracted... I took advantage of the time and used a new microfilm scanner machine - got lots of good stuff on my thumb-drive for future review. I didn't get as much time as I would have liked (they close at 1700), but still am glad I visited. Hope to have another chance before the family is completely moved. Drive home was OK (rainy and getting dark)...

Thanksgiving Trip - Day 6

Sad day - we had to go home... Breakfast with Shannon, Sean, Mary and Leo and then went over to Bonnie's one last time. Hoping to see everyone again soon - but may have to wait until next year's Thanksgiving at National Harbor (MD). Left her house around 1000L and made some good time back to Snyder (saw coyote along the road) - not windy. Things going great until we tried to stop for lunch at (2 different) Skeeter's (reputedly have good fish tacos) and found out they aren't open on Sunday. Tried a few other places for food but eventually had to settle for Wendy's (near Abilene). Everyone got full and then back on the Interstate. Great time until we got to the major construction zone (east of Ranger) - used the frontage road for almost 20 miles (HUGE backup). Just missed a big speed trap. As we drove through Weatherford, the back-up going west looked horrible. Made it into Fort Worth by 1800L - just as the sun finally went down (Mollie said "look at the sky!"). I'm going to miss those long, pretty sun-sets... Unpacked and got everyone ready for bed (it may take a few days to get back to normal time-zones). Great trip!

Thanksgiving Trip - Day 5

Had breakfast around 0900L this morning and then headed over to say a few more farewells. Soon after (1130L), went with the kids to watch the movie "The Muppets." It was pretty good, actually - even Katie loved it. Came out of the theatre to an unbelievable wind - nearly knocked the kids down and it was creating a huge dust cloud. Arrived back at Bonnie's around 1400L and started to watch some more football. Kathy took Mollie out for a special time at the nail salon. Visiting and relaxing until 1715L - then over to St. Helena's for Mass. First Sunday in Advent, along with the long-forecasted change to the Missal (very difficult to get used to!). Finished up around 1835L (cold outside!). Drove directly to Kelly's for a party. Lots of people there - only knew a few. Her Australian Sheep Dog (puppy) was a big hit! Watched Notre Dame lose, unfortunately (again). Very enjoyable time. We stayed until 2200L and then called it a night. Shannon had a sleepover with Mollie but they didn't stay up too late... We leave tomorrow.

Thanksgiving Trip - Day 4

Didn't get up early this morning - despite Bonnie's offer of a French Toast breakfast. Nicky dropped the girls off at 0800L (they wanted to go play with their cousins - wish we could get them up that easily most days!). We joined them at 1000L and the fun began! I watched football with the guys until a bowling party left at 1400L - then it was just me and Chuck. We saw some good games and even watched a bit of Forrest Gump before everyone came back. It was amazing to watch all the different meal choices that everyone made - turkey "dagwoods", tacos, hot dogs, stuffing/mashed potato bowls (etc.). Football continued into the evening, as did the great conversation and socializing. I'm pretty sure that no one would have thought about leaving, but there were folks traveling in the morning and the party wound down around 2200L. It was sad to have to say "good-bye" to some of the family, since we know it may be a year until we can visit again. We took our leave around the same time, thinking that Bonnie was tired [found out later, she stayed up a lot longer - too bad we missed that!]. Kids finding it hard to get sleep with only one more day to go!

Thanksgiving Trip - Day 3

Turkey Day! A new tradition began this year: a Turkey Trot (run, job, walk, crawl) at the Ocotillo Golf Course! It was Elizabeth's idea - and she made T-Shirts. Most of us grumbled about the start time (0900L) and distance (2 miles) - but everyone tried their best to run after the master of ceremonies (Tim) hinted that it was a whole new way of building family comraderie. He wasn't wrong - after the kids raced off to take the lead, everyone settled into their pace for the day. There was a "comfort station" at the mid-point - and Elizabeth was there to provide morale building cheers. Almost everyone was walking by the 1.5 mile point - but some of the boys made it back to the finish line in about 25 minutes. Brenna and Mollie finished in the top 10 (Erin was too busy "babysitting" Katie...) and Nicky arrived near the tail-end of the train - with an adult beverage in her hand (smiling). Videos are priceless (and useful for blackmail)... Had about two hours before the big meal, so we used that to get ready and watch some of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV. At 1230, drove over to the Country Club for dinner. Saw a lot of friends and even more relatives. Family prayer is always special - led by a priest this time. Great food - so much to choose from. Servers kept wine glasses full (almost TOO full!). Awards ceremony for turkey trot - Elizabeth very proud. Back to our rooms to change into something a little more comfortable. I had a headache, so I took a nap for about an hour. Meanwhile, kids and Nicky went over to Phase II of the dinner - Bonnie didn't want us to go without leftovers, so she had made a whole Thanksgiving meal for snacking! Football games, calls to my sisters, movies and conversation until very late. Didn't get back to the room until around 2330L...

Thanksgiving Trip - Day 2

Mollie and I were up at 0700L (everyone else asleep) - went down to the great buffet breakfast. Nicky drove us over to Bonnie's at 0800L and we got to work - dishes, drinks, food set-up (etc.). Ended up taking Mollie with me to Albertsons to pick up items - always nice to have my shopping buddy! Back at Bonnie's around 1000L. Had some good food for lunch, and then lots of other folks started to show up - Tim and Elizabeth (and Katie!), Andy, Collin, Leo, Mary, Shannon and Sean, etc. Great conversation and free-flowing libations. Kids played outside with their cousins and had a lot of fun. John, Ann, Duncan and Declan arrived after dark - along with Chuck. Lots of hugs every time someone new showed up. Aircraft problems meant that we had to wait for Trish, Terry, Megan and Erin. However, by about 2200L, almost everyone was there - including a lot of Hobbs friends and relations. We were having a good time but Erin wasn't feeling well - so we went back to the hotel a little earlier (2230L) and got some much needed sleep - big day tomorrow!

Thanksgiving Trip - Day 1

The kids had school today - which was good, since Nicky wasn't ready to go yet. Actually, after our whirlwind travel over the last 72 hours, neither was I... It took some doing, but we actually had the car packed and made it over to the girls' school just as they were about to start a big school assembly - so we were able to beat the usual pick-up rush. Drove over to Carswell so I could pick up some medication - weird visiting the base as a retiree... On the road by 1615L - great to avoid the usual traffic jams on Wednesday! Made good time, even through construction zones, and stopped for gas in Sweetwater. Since we were eating food from the fridge (would have gone bad, otherwise), we didn't need to stop for dinner. It was a good thing, too - driving across the desert in the dark sure is different than the normal trip to Hobbs! Windmill farm looked cool at sunset... I made a few wrong turns (Snyder and La Mesa) but soon got back on track (US-180). Mollie and Nicky started talking about seeing a lot of shooting stars, so I stopped the car and turned off the lights - what a view! Reminded me of the Davis Mountain sky (see JUL 2009)... With the time change, we still drove into Hobbs around 2030L. Got started early with some nice visits (Bonnie, Kevin, Kathy). Kathy helped us get checked into our hotel (Fairfield) around 2200L. Got everyone to bed early to prep for late nights to come!