We
finally pulled away for our Waco-cation about 8 a.m. on Thursday. After we got the car packed and both of us
settled in for the drive, I happened to glance into the back seat. What to my wondering eyes should appear, but
a sneaky stowaway returning my gaze with a piercing stare and a sloth-ish
grin. Yes, that sloth of no name decided
to plop himself into the car, and he wasn’t budging. Hey, there’s an idea. I think until I get some more suggestions,
I’ll call him Nonay. Sounds sloth-y and
foreign, but actually it’s just short for No Name. Done.
He was pretty active, for a sloth.
At Bucees he wished a college ladies softball team good luck on their
season. They will be hard to beat now.
When
we arrived in Waco we went straight to the Mammoth Monument National Park. Our purpose was to purchase our National Park
stamp book and get our very first stamp.
I don’t mean stamps like to mail something. At National Park sites you can get them to
stamp one of those things that looks like an old cancellation mark onto a piece
of paper or into a very nice book that they sell. Hence our purchase. We expect to be able to garner a few more of
those stamps before our journey ends.
Now
our park ranger guide did a fine job of explaining fossilized mammoth things (Although he was no Ed Dawson, of course). The highlight of the trip, however, came in
the gift shop. Apparently one of the creatures
that existed at the same time as the mammoths was a gigantic … sloth. And over in a corner, tucked away all by
herself, the only one of her kind still in existence, was none other than a
female version of old Nonay. There was
never a doubt in my mind that would pay her bond and free her from the rigors
of captivity in a National Park. I mean,
without someone like Ed and Lauren to care for such a sad little orphan (they are well-known for taking care of
refugee chickens, ducks, alligators … you get the picture), how happy could
she be? And when we got her into the car
and made all the requisite introductions, Nonay was as slap-happy as a sloth
can be. He sure won’t be lonely for the rest
of the trip. The two have been in each
other’s arms ever since (It’s a sloth
thing). I have a feeling they will
be in more than one of our upcoming trip photos.
We
did connect with Josh and his family in plenty of time to take them all out to the
Cotton Patch Café to celebrate Josh’s birthday.
I ordered (with great fear and
trembling) the fried shrimp. Not too
bad for central Texas. And the fried
okra was actually crispy. Chris and
Christi split the chicken fried steak.
It was huge. That may be one I try
next time.
Psalms
33:18 says, “But the eyes of the Lord are
on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.”
Father,
thank you for Park Rangers and café waiters.
Oh, and for female sloths. Amen.
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