Fort Worth, TX (USA)

[birthday party (Rodeo Zone) at the Stockyards in Fort Worth]

North Richland Hills, TX (USA)

[***possible (need second validation)*** Birthday tickets for Twins at NRH2O Family Water Park (arrived at 0950)]

Midland, TX (USA)

[fourth VA appointment - had to drive over to Midland - left around 0715L - no problems with traffic - gas fillup in Willow Park (0800L) - made it to Midland around 1200L - found doctors office - saw signs for the childhood home of George W. Bush (nearby) and found it - then went to lunch at Furr's Buffet - it was interesting: get a tray and walk down a cafeteria lunch counter, they gave me little bowls of different types of food - you can get seconds if you go through the line again - home style country cooking was good, too - finished around 1245L and drove over to doctor's office, hoping they could see me early - it worked out and I got in around 1315L - finished by 1345L - drove back towards DFW - stretched fuel to make Sweetwater - gas fillup (1535L) - traffic increasing - made good time all the way home and arrived around 1845L - trip was worth it, since I'm now done with the VA...]

Farmer's Branch, TX (USA)

[third VA appointment - near I-35E & I-635 - explored nearby (historic and fancy homes) - also visited Coogan Drive (off Royal Drive)]

Hobbs Trip - Day 6

[got up relatively early - girls dragging - filled up gas tank and then headed out of Hobbs towards home - stopped for lunch at Sonic in Lamesa (TX) - no traffic or other delays all the way home (no need for gas, either...) - home around 1830L]

Hobbs Trip - Day 5

[I got up early and drove from Hobbs to Artesia to see Chuck - he was busy, but eventually got a chance to eat lunch with him at the Wellhead - he had to go back to work, so I took my time driving back (via Carlsbad) - wanted to visit Sitting Bull Falls, but it had been burned to the ground in a wildfire (along with lots of other places around the state) - stopped at Brantley Lake State Park briefly and then drove down to Carlsbad to check out the Living Desert attraction (looks like fun for the kids) - headed back to Hobbs and arrived around 1600L - Kelly took Nicky and girls to see Kung Fu Panda 2 - I met them later (for dinner) at Chili's - back to Bonnie's for night swimming and packing]

Hobbs Trip - Day 4

[visiting - yard work - visited Prairie Haven Cemetery - Kelly came over to visit - steak dinner (late) - night swimming]

Hobbs Trip - Day 3

[visting and yard work again - relaxing - Mass in late afternoon - salmon and shrimp for dinner (on grill) - Kathy arrived just as we sat down to eat - night swimming]

Hobbs Trip - Day 2

[relaxed and helped Bonnie in the yard - dinner at Hobbs Country Club with Bonnie's friends - visiting late]

Hobbs Trip - Day 1

[drove from Fort Worth to Hobbs - dinner from Empire Buffet (Chinese food)]