Last weekend, last night

Friday morning, we were all up early rushing to get to Mustang Island to see Joshua and Alicia exchange vows and jump out of a plane. That was scheduled for 11 am. It was a two-hour drive to get to the ferry outside of Port Aransas. You can rarely tell how long the ferry ride will take once you get there, so we were trying to make sure we allowed enough time to account for any foreseeable delays. That day it was a 45-minute wait to board the ferry – after more than two hours to get to the ferry. The ferry ride traverses a very short distance – about 300 feet. But it is the most common way to access the island. By the time we got to the island it was almost 11 am. We were still on time, but we need not have hurried. Joshua and Alicia had to wait until several other jumpers got done before he and Alicia could go. It gave all of us a chance to visit as we waited.

Chase and Makaila had driven straight to the airport on the island, bypassing all of us in Victoria. They left Owen with family in Amarillo so they could drive straight through the night; but they came. Surprisingly, they held up really well through the long wait and the reception. (They headed back after about an hour on the beach.) As we waited, all of us just tried to find a place to catch what breeze was offered as we milled around the hanger where the sky diving company had their shop. We had been advised to bring chairs for that time as well as for the beach.

Joshua and Alicia said their vows and donned their gear a little before 1 pm. By that time, we were all very hot. The heat index was a 106°. When the instructors told Mama that the temperature two miles up was 60°, she wanted to take the plane ride up with them. After a brief exchange of vows, Joshua and Alicia got into the plane and took off. Alicia was terrified but she stuck with the plan. After they made the jump, she wanted to go again.

The jump was sort of anticlimactic for those of us on the ground; exhilarating for the jumpers. It was over in about ten minutes after which we headed to the beach for the reception. It was a simple fare. Sandwiches, fruit, cookies, cold tea and lemonade. Plenty of ice-cold water. Mama and I did not get into the water, but a lot of the wedding party did. Mama and I packed everyone up after a couple hours and headed back to Victoria. We had nine in our Sequoia plus all the food left over from the reception. A snug fit.

After the ferry crossing, it was a quiet ride home. Almost everyone slept for the first hour. When we got back to the house and unloaded, everyone rested again. I had put some roasts in a crock pot before we left for Mustang Island so we would have something to eat when we got back to Victoria. A quick dinner of carne quisada and we were all in bed early-ish. Everyone slept in Saturday morning. Saturday was spent shopping for Cori, meeting with Steve Whidden and visiting the dojo. It was hilarious to see Zoe and Sophia outfitted with sparing gear. Walter was thrilled when Joshua put sparing gloves on him. Mama and I shared a hotel room with Cori and Victoria that night so Alicia and Joshua could have their bed back. They needed the rest. We needed more space to ensure everyone could get ready for church Sunday morning. There is only a single bathroom in their house.

Sunday we all attended services together at Western Hills – including Alicia’s parents and Brittany Pena. It is always fun to visit with fiends at Western Hills Baptist Church. There were 19 in our party. It added significantly to the congregation. Pictures after church. Lunch at Joshua’s house. Wedding gifts opened after lunch. Shortly thereafter, Victoria, Jake and Cori headed to Houston to drop Cori off at friend’s house. She had to catch a 5:30 am flight to Honduras Monday morning. Victoria and Jake drove back to Chico from there. Brittany and Andrew left about the same time to head back to Wichita. A short nap and Mama, Maggie, Cathryn, Walter and I headed back to the church for Sunday evening services. We did not leave the church until almost 9 pm. It is hard to say goodbye to our friends there.

Monday morning, we met Steve Whidden and loaded a canoe onto the top of our Sequoia. That caused us a few extra stops as I struggled to work with what I had to ensure it was well attached. At one point I had to open the sunroof and get under the canoe to cut a chain that held a lid for a compartment in the canoe. The lid had fallen down and was knocking against the top of the car. That was after I had to redo the straps several times, buy additional rope and rework the tie downs at the front and back. Each of those reworks in a different stop. By the time we got to West, TX I felt pretty confident about it staying in place.

Yesterday morning, I was back at work while Mama and Jake were loading Maggie and the kids up to catch a flight at DFW. All that went well on our end; however, Maggie and the kids missed their connection in New Orleans because of delays taking off in Dallas. They were loaded on a plane back to DFW to catch a direct flight to Wilmington. They had to be let off the plane first to ensure they made that connection. Which they did – just barely. I told Maggie if she could keep up with Walter, they were sure to make it. They got into their home airport about 11 pm. I am not sure what time they got home.

I walked into a mess last night because the A/C drain had plugged. That caused water to pool on the living room floor. Cleaning and repairing that took a lot of the evening but I did get it done – between watering, feeding and stowing the canoe in the equipment shed. It took some scrounging to find all the pieces I needed for the repair, but I had everything I needed.

Mama and Jake have the day off today. I think Mama has a couple errands to run, but for the most part, they will be at the farm today. Tomorrow we leave for Houston again. This time I have a class to teach in Clearlake; just south of Houston. While I am in class Friday, Mama and Jake will explore Galveston.

This has been a busy two-week period.