Sunday December 12 – Amarillo by morning. Dallas by dinner. With a brief stop in Wichita Falls to enjoy the red dirt falls got to Argyle, TX in time to share some Torchy’s Tacos with Dane, Breana and the Kustes kids. Little dinosaur and elf on the shelf activities before turning in.
Monday December 13 – After “helping” get the kids off to school headed to a nearby park for exercise and hiking. Believe some lady walking her dog called the police to come check out the crazy old man in a puffy vest swinging a hammer and squatting. Great walk along Lake Grapevine. Fort Worth Stock Yards have changed significantly since I was here 35 years ago. In a real Texas bar you can ride a bull for a $6 entry fee. Longhorns in the street is a nice touch.
Back to Grapevine to visit Roger and Diane. Diane made me drink wine with my Torchy’s Tacos. Yes, and I would have eaten them again for breakfast.
Tuesday December 14 – Roger gave me the tour around Grapevine. Used to visit Lake Grapevine when there was nothing up here. Now it is two cities. Quick visit to Hop and Sting Brewery for a little beer tasting for Diane.
Believe she will stick with wine. Dinner at Ojeda’s on Maple with two of my favorite ladies, Stefani and LL.
Wednesday December 15 – Full workout and walk to earn my breakfast bowl at Roger’s favorite breakfast joint, Old West. Now my favorite. Toured Gaylord Convention Center. Thought about completing the trip by sleigh, but couldn’t get the color I wanted. Chip shortage and everything.
Wandered to Tyler, TX to visit a park ranger and Kilgore to see the Christmas oil derricks. Actually, replica derricks representing the most densely drilled areas in Texas during the early oil boom. Now with stars.
Thursday December 16 – Hustled out of Texarkana early with only a brief stop in Hope to get my picture with the President. We wear the same cool glasses.
Great to be back in the bluegrass. Sunshine, blue skies and puffy clouds across Kentucky Lake.
And festive holiday décor on the Princeton court house while having dinner with Dean.
Friday December 17 – The last real stop on my trip was when … I rolled on up to the Rochester Dam … with paradise waitin’ … just … miles away from wherever I am. Great trip and even better to be home.
Random lessons from the road.
Music is better with a steal peddle guitar or accordion. Not necessarily both.
Nothing puts you in the mood for Christmas like Cajun Pop Christmas Music. Yes, there is such thing.
One should plan to enjoy the sun rise and sun set on the same day.
If they ask red or green in New Mexico, the answer is both.
Crawfish are better than shrimp. Crab make both of them better.
Don’t joke with border guards or their dogs.
Figure out how to put up your tent before it is dark, cold and windy.
Wait for it.
“Mountain” in the description means uphill.
Don’t sit close to the drunk chick doing shots.
All directions are good and you can always change your mind.
Walk through the door. Head down the path. Climb the mountain. Jump in the water. Wake up to view the stars. Say hello and see you later.
32 days, 5,841 miles, 9 states, 29 breweries, billion stars