Chapter 1, In Which We Headed West to Escape August in Texas (2 weeks ago)
We are
finally on the road after a very stressful week of getting everything together,
two days of packing, and months of preparation. Not to brag, because I have
nothing to do with it, but we go on epic vacations. It's all Beechnut. When he plans, he plans big and
adventurous. For example, in 2008, we
went backcountry kayaking in Yellowstone and it took us to places few could go
and I loved every minute of it. We
prepped for months for that trip - practicing getting back in our kayaks if we
fell out (lake water up there is COLD), obtaining supplies, and meticulously
packing enough to stay warm and be comfortable, but not too much to fit in a
kayak. Like many things, these trips are
big investment, big payoff. More than
once, I have craved just packing three simple bags, taking Barret to a family
friendly all-inclusive in the Carribbean and relaxing on the beach. No prep, no fuss. I almost always feel this way the day before
we leave as we spend hours prepping.
Once we roll out, though, I exhale and start to get amped and know we
are in for a treat. I will, of course,
have my beach, no fuss vacation, one day, but for now, I'm thrilled to be on
another adventure with my best men. With Vanilla Bean and an Airstream in tow,
the adventure is ramped down a little this time, but every bit as
exciting!
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Yellowstone 2008 |
We got on
the road about 10 am and just rolled through witchita falls, where we stopped
for lunch, parking the Airstream in the back of a Walmart parking lot - you
know, one of those areas with every mega store and fast food chain you can
think of…hideous, but quite handy if you need a place to squat. I made B some chicken, cottage cheese, and
fruit, while Beech got us tacos from Taco Bell.
That's right, after my proud blog about healthy eating, I had one soft
and one crunchy supreme taco. Sad, I
know. On the few occasions I've had the pleasure of driving through Witchita
Falls, I wonder for the umpteenth time what the draw of the hotter than hell
bike race is. Flat and so freakin'
hot. I know it's a thing, but is it
really enjoyable? Is it a pride
thing? Comraderie? Flat and fast
course? Personally, I'll take trees and
hills any day. I don't know if it is
movies like No Country For Old Men or literature or a genuine creapiness, but
I'm always uneasy in West Texas and its
towns. The scenery here (palo duro and
caprock canyon, not all the flat in between) is pretty amazing, and there are
no shortage of legends from these parts, (love you Buddy), but it's still
eerie. Maybe it is the Southwest and the
desert in general. Who knows? As we tear
across 287, our play list fits the mood: Eagles, Clapton, George Thoroughgood,
Gary P Nunn, Traveling Willburys....Caprock Canyons or bust!
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Hartley, TX |
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