Well,
after helping Josh put up a basketball backboard in their back yard, and in the
process willfully exposing myself to the myriad of evil pollens lurking in
their back yard, it appeared to be time to depart the wonderful city of Waco. Of course the thing that makes it wonderful
is the presence of my grandsons there. I
must admit, though, that we had to reboot our backboard installation efforts a
time or two due to operator error. It is
amazing how well things fit together when you follow directions. Thankfully Josh did all the heavy lifting
when it came time to install it on the pole.
He was the one sore the next day.
I was just the one with a nose full of pollen.
So,
about the departure. We were talking with the boys about how it was time for us to go
to continue on our adventure heading back toward Galveston. Caleb wasn’t so sure he was OK with that
plan. He first wanted us to stay.
When that didn't work, he had a Plan B.
He said “Well, just remember. It's
almost June and that's flood season and you might HAVE to come stay with
us.” Indeed, Caleb. Thanks for reminding us.
We decided that with a few more days
available to us, we might just make a swing through East Texas and see what the
small towns there had to offer. After
all, we found some great treasures in the Hill Country. Surely …
Well, not so much. Did you know there is just not much to stop
and do in East Texas? Maybe it was just
the route we took. How about I let you
judge for yourself. Besides, the names
of some of these towns are great, even if there was nothing to do or see
there. We left Waco and traveled East
through the grand towns of Groesbeck and Buffalo. We lost phone service in Flo, and then the
GPS lost us somewhere outside of Russell. We didn't take the side road option
to Nineveh. Scary place, that Nineveh. Besides,
Eunice just sounded more quaint. From
there it was on to Malvern and Leon. In Crockett
we had to make two trips through the downtown traffic circle because we
couldn't find the one restaurant mentioned on their website. Apparently it no longer exists. Berea was next, followed in rapid succession
by Kennard, Nogalus Prairie, and Centralia. We had high hopes for Apple Springs, because
it actually was listed on the road signs.
But no. From New Hope we turned
south to Burke. Finally in Diboll we
found a Dairy Queen, so we at least got out there and had some lunch. Then it was East again. Shawnee Prairie. Zavalla.
And then over a big bridge crossing the Sam Rayburn reservoir. Most notable thing there? No boats or swimmers or much of any
traffic. Guess it was too early in the
season. Broaddus. Pine land. McElroy. Brookeland. Browndel. New Blox. In
Jasper we were getting kind of desperate, so we determined to stop an at
least look through some antique stores listed on their web page. We found one.
Kind of small. Very nice
lady. Back in the car and a bit west to
Science Hall. Emille. Woodville. We used to have some relatives who lived in
Woodville. There we turned south to
Hillister. Warren. Village Mills. Kountze. Old Hardin. Little Rock. Wait. Little Rock.
That’s in Arkansas, isn’t it? Sour
Lake. Nome. Winnie. OK, now this was getting kind of
ridiculous. We know these places. High Island. Gilchrist. Caplen. Crystal Beach. Well, we’re in Crystal Beach and it’s
suppertime, so why not stop at the Stingaree Restaurant? Pretty good seafood there, and you get to sit
overlooking the ship channel. Port
Bolivar. Galveston Bay. On the ferry.
And back home … Galveston. Pretty
boring second half of the journey, as I said.
But the trees were different.
Lots of trees. Closing mileage:
71584. Total miles traveled: 1,440. It’s good to be home.
Psalms 84:3-4 says, “Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young — a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my
King and my God. Blessed are those who
dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.”
Father, thank you for the chance to get away
for a while. We needed it. But thanks for home as well. Nothing quite like the feeling of coming home. Amen.
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