Abbie's First Road Trip: Day 3 - July 5, 2013

We got up and moving around 9:00 am.  We had to get packed up as we were moving on to Canyon, Texas where we staying the night.  We gathered everything up, had breakfast at the hotel, and then around 10:30 am headed out.  We actually took the proverbial scenic route through Silverton, TX.  It is amazing because you drive through what seems like gently rolling hills and then all of a sudden canyons and crevices appear out of nowhere!  It is what is called cap rock and it is stunningly beautiful.  We stopped briefly at a scenic outlook and took some pictures.  

When we got to Silverton were took a lap around the town square and stopped at an historical marker.  As we were reading the sign a nice gentlemen came up to us and wanted to know if we wanted a tour.  He said that he was the groundskeeper and that he lived nearby and knew the historic old jail well...but not because he had been in it!  He was a funny guy.  Abbie was asleep so we declined his offer (truthfully, I would have loved to have gotten out and seen the jail and indulged our new friend), but we moved on.

Or next stop was Happy, TX.  Let me tell you, there is not too much that is happy about Happy, TX.  But we took some pictures and moved on from there.

We got to Canyon abut 1:15 pm, but were too early to check-in.  So we went to Sonic for lunch.  We then decided to stop and check-out West Texas A&M University.  We walked around the campus and popped in to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum for a quick look.  By then it was time to go back to the hotel to check-in.

We checked-in and then Abbie took a good, two hour nap.  She really needed it as she has really been thrown off her schedule, so that was good for her.  

About 6:30 we headed to Palo Duro Canyon to see "Texas" and have dinner, too.  Dinner was BBQ, again!  Once we finished eating, Abbie and I went to listen to the music, we danced, and we also signed the guest book and put a pin on the map to show where we were from.  About 8:30 the show began and Abbie and I watched the opening number.  She was fascinated by the dancing and the brightly colored dresses, but that was about all she could stand.  We went to the cry room...which is actually just behind the seats and had a live telecast of the play.  The problem is that there were stairs and all she waned to do was go up and down the stairs.  So we went to the flag area...she was fascinated by the flags!  At 9:30 pm we headed back to the car so she could sleep and we would wait for Dad and Guilford.  They came out the car at 9:50...and it was only intermission!  So we headed back to the hotel and hit the hay...lots of driving tomorrow!

Pictures from the day...

Abbie's First Road Trip: Preparing to Leave and Day 1

While Tuna is away working in Pecos, Abbie and  I are going on a road trip.  We were invited by my dad and Guilford to join them in going to Telluride, CO to Kent and Janet's ranch.  We are driving and making a road trip out of it!

Preparation - getting ready for a road trip is a tough task in itself.  Getting ready for a road trip with a one year old is even tougher...especially when you have to consider the fact the we are taking 4 days and two different hotel rooms to get there.  In this situation, I think that you pack the best way you can and see what works.  Ultimately, no way is really going to be easy.  We had to get some long sleeves and were only able to find a hoodie for Abs.  Hopefully, CO won't be THAT cold!  Also, considering food has been a challenge, but we shall see if I packed the right stuff!  We are spending the night at Grandpa and GG's house the night before we leave, so we can get everything packed the night before and then just get up and go.

Day One - Wednesday, July 3rd - Happy Anniversary to Us! - we got up early and at a little breakfast and packed the last minute items in the car.  Miraculously, we were off by 8:05 am (planned time to leave was 8:00 am).  We had a quick stop at Bucee's for ice and then we were on the road.  We traveled up through College Station and Waco then caught 35 West to Fort Worth.  We stopped for lunch at the Dairy Queen right outside of Hillsboro...which, by the way, does not have a baby changing station (even thought is newly constructed and along a busy highway!).  We made it through to Ft. Worth in good time with Abbie only catching a couple of short naps along the way.  We pulled in to the Clarendon Best Western around 5:15 pm.  Clarendon is the town where I have spent time as a child. It is the hometown of an old family friend and fellow State Farm agent, Billy Hearn.  He and his wife, Dolfia grew up there and on several occasions had my family up there for Thanksgiving and 4th of July.  We unloaded, freshened up and headed out to Dolfia's relative's house - the Shadles.  Specifically, Jim and Susie Shadle.  I saw people I haven't seen in over 30 years!  Joeneill and his family were there and many other new faces to me...but they remembered me from 30 years ago!  We had steaks and Abbie and I adventured around while Dad and Guilford chatted with old friends.  Everyone was SO nice and was so happy to have us there.  We headed back to the hotel about 9 pm (it had just gotten dark!) and called it a night.

Pictures of the Day...

My traveling buddy!

Sleeping on the job

Abbie enjoying the beautiful Texas night in the Shadle's hammock

Panhandle sunset from in front of the Shadle's house...what a beautiful end to the day!