May 8 – “All packed”

We were all packed up and the cars were all loaded up by 7 a.m.  We had to be out of the rental by 11, so that meant there would be no coming back after the game.  So … we got it done and had Jachin to the field in plenty of time for the game that would decide third and fourth places.  So … Bronze medal game!

 

We played the Austin Texans.  Sadly, we lost in a nail-biter, 2-1.  So, fourth place.  Not too shabby, right?  We stayed to watch the closing ceremonies for our division.  The Fort Worth team that beat us ended up coming in first, so we didn’t feel so bad.  The boys said their goodbyes and everyone headed out for the open road.  Or in some cases, skies.  We got a little turned around trying to stay off of toll roads and ended up heading roughly southwest.  Since we were going that direction anyway, we made the best of it.  We headed on into St. Petersburg and then Bradenton to get the national parks stamp that we missed out on last year when the station was closed because of Covid.  We also did the hike that was closed off last year.  We saw some critters, too.  A pelican.  Not so unusual.  Caroline and Claude, the Big-clawed crabs jumped right in front of us on the trail.  Then we saw a beautiful bird of some kind back within the marshes.  No idea what kind.  We did get some pictures, but they just didn’t do it justice.

 

Finally, we started back north, but first we needed gas.  We drove for a while, and finally ended up at the Sun City exit.  But here’s the thing.  I don’t think they use gas in their cars in Sun City.  On our little side trek, we drove all the way to Pebble Beach, but no stations to be found anywhere.  So, we turned around and headed back to try the other side of the freeway – some different little town.  Thankfully, they do use gas there.  We got all filled up and back on track, but not before almost driving poor Google George crazy trying to plot us some directions.

 

The drive north was shortened some by watching the Astros game on my phone app.  And they won.  Great to have that victory today, and it all happened before we had to stop and check into our hotel.  And speaking of hotels, the one we happened to pick to stay in was the same one we were in almost exactly one year ago.  We even walked next door to the Mr. Bob’s restaurant next door.  Actually, it’s called Bob Evans, but we all know Mr. Bob is … well, Mr. Bob.  I immediately looked around for another of the little Mr. Bob dolls like the one I got last year.  Just wanted to check in and say hi.  But alas.  No Mr. Bob dolls anymore.  So sad. 

 

Well … now I guess we are on another journey of our own.  I’m pretty sure Chris has some idea of our general destinations.  But we may sneak in a few other side options.  We don’t have to be home until Wednesday or Thursday.  You never can tell …

 

1 Corinthians 13:7 says, “It (love) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

 

Father, thank you for providing us a place to sleep and eat.  They were both nice.  Amen.