Begin the summary, Hopscotch to Houston

There has been a lot of activity since I last updated this blog. I will attempt to summarize the last five days while inserting a few relevant current thoughts as life continues for me and Mama.

Thursday, Mama and I, along with Jake, Victoria, Maggie, Cathryn and Walter left in two cars to begin our drive to Houston to collect Cori and her things at the airport. She was not due until almost 5 pm, so there was no hurry getting away from the farm to start the five hour drive to Houston. I think we pulled out of the drive somewhere around 9 am. Our first stop was for gas in Decatur. Our little caravan did okay until we got into Ft. Worth where we got separated in traffic. I took I-20 across the DFW metroplex while Maggie, Victoria and Jake took an alternate route. Maggie was driving Victoria’s car while both Victoria and Jake were giving directions. Well actually, Walter and Jake were giving directions. Victoria had given her phone to Walter as they traveled and every time the narrated navigation interrupted what he was listening to, Walter would loudly repeat every instruction the electronic voice had announced. Maggie was so pleased to have all that help while she drove. Mama and I ended up on I-45 about ten miles north and about fifteen minutes behind them. They stayed about that far ahead of us for the next hour or so. Meanwhile, Brittany, Andrew and the twins were leaving their hotel room in Dallas about the time we were getting on I-45 headed south. That put them about twenty minutes behind us.


By that time, it was getting near lunchtime. Since they were in the lead, Victoria would report back to Mama at every town they passed to alert her to the possibility of stopping to eat. We passed several towns before Victoria found a suitable place to stop. We took our time at the unique burger joint so Brittany and Andrew could catch up to us. We were going to be on time to meet Cori so there was no rush. We were less than two hours north of Houston when we stopped. We did not hurry through lunch. We were having too much fun with Zoe and Sophia.

Once back on the road it was just a matter of covering the miles to get to the airport, which was one huge traffic jam at the arrival area. Victoria and Maggie got there first and Maggie and Jake abandoned Victoria in the jumble of traffic and rushed inside the terminal to be the first to meet Cori. Cori had announced her arrival and kept us abreast of her progress through customs as we neared the airport. By the time Mama and I found a parking spot – fifth level at the very back – and got down the elevators to get to the rest of our crew, Cori had her luggage and was getting her first greetings. Victoria’s car, parked tight at the curb, was surrounded by other parked cars, so she could not have moved if she wanted to. Still, greetings were quick.

Cori had two urgent state-side requests. 1) Chick-fil-a for dinner. 2) Rita’s for dessert. Chick-fil-a should not have been a problem, but it turned out to be. There were numerous venues to choose from. Once again, Maggie and Victoria were out in front. The closest one was too small to accommodate us, so we looked for a second nearby restaurant. That is when we go split up. They headed south while we headed slightly east. Mama and I had Cori with us while Brittany and Andrew followed. We were at a Chick-fil-a within fifteen minutes of leaving the airport. I think Cori rubbed it in a bit while she ate Chick-fil-a for the first time in over a year. Nate and the kids could only imagine as they chatted while she finished her meal. Meanwhile, Maggie, Victoria and Jake abandoned us to wait at the Rita’s – about another fifteen minutes away. They waited almost an hour while we ate and then traveled to meet them. They were not happy, but we could have all been together if that had been the focus.

The Rita’s was in the tiniest possible location. It shared a building with two restaurants and a bar. The parking lot matched the small strip center design. Parking was a challenge for the two vehicles we were driving when we arrived, but we persevered and got Cori her Rita’s fix before we headed to Victoria, TX; still over an hour away. Mama and I and those who were with us finally got to Joshua and Alicia’s house a little after 9 pm. Brittany, Andrew and the twins, Cori and Victoria all stayed at a hotel. We were in bed shortly after arriving. We were planning on having a short night since we needed to leave Victoria to travel to Mustang Island by no later than 8 am. I was up at 6 am making sure the car was set up to carry everyone going with us. More on that trip later.

As for today, Maggie and the kids are packed and ready to go. They will fly out of DFW around 2:30 this afternoon. Cathryn and Walter have mixed emotions about leaving Grammy and her farm, but I think they are ready to go home. It has been wonderful having them with us.

This evening will be spent on yardwork and watering. We need to play catchup as Mama and I gear up to make another trip. This time we are going to Clearlake, TX for a class I will teach Friday. We have only today and tomorrow at home.

At least we are keeping Jake busy while he is with us.