August 13 - “Doing Dallas”

Big plans were on tap for our tourism minded selves this day. We took the huge step of venturing into the Big City - Dallas - for our next foray. Two stops there.  The Texas school Book Depository Sixth Floor Museum (phew. That’s a mouthful). And The George Bush Presidential Library on the campus of SMU.

 

The Bush Library was pretty impressive. Besides all the displays related to his presidency, my favorite was the special exhibition on humor in the presidency. Using my choices, I track really close to the humor of Teddy Roosevelt. Nice. He’s one of my favorite presidents anyway.

 

At the Sixth Floor Museum, we re-lived a pretty traumatic time from our childhood. Newsreels were playing from the time on a continuous feed loop, and I remembered hearing them the first time. We were able to look through the window where the shots were fired. Then we walked out onto the grassy knoll where some of the other shots might or might not have been fired from. There were two large X’s painted on the street marking the spots where President Kennedy was actually hit. That was pretty somber. But then tourists would race into the street, stand on the spot laughing and pointing down, while a friend would take a photo.  Then they would run haphazardly out of the street to avoid oncoming traffic. Absolutely crazy. And disrespectful.  I was kind of surprised at the range of emotions the whole experience raised in me.

 

On the way home we were going to stop for gas, but the line was ridiculous. Walmart was having a sale - $3.09 a gallon. So we went into the antique mall to look around. Strangely enough, we found two old books about the Kennedy assassination. We bought them.

 

We may or may not have found some other activities to do later in the day, but alas, due to time limitations, I shall be forced to expound upon them another time.  Suffice it to say for now that we spent a good deal of time gazing into a Hawaiian future.

 

Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

 

Father, thank you for the chance to relive some history. It was sobering. Amen.

August 13 - “She dragged me kickin’ and screamin’”

Yesterday began as a day of extra rest. At least for Chris. She stayed in bed until well after 7 a.m. 

 

Our outing for the day took us back into Fort Worth where we did the whole Fort Worth Stock Exchange tourist thing. In all our years living in and around Fort Worth, we never made it down there. The blame probably lies with old city boy here. None of that yahoo country stuff ever got to me, except maybe listening to the songs when I started dating my beautiful country girl Chris. “She dragged me kickin’ and screamin’ to the sounds of country music …”. That’s gotta be the lyrics to a song somewhere.

 

So back to our adventure. When we arrived, we first parked next to Billy Bob’s Texas. I guess it was too early in the day for the nightclub crowd. We realized quickly that there were no people around, so we moved. Sure enough, on around the corner, we found ‘em. Found another parking lot, too. Fifteen bucks. But we were in the very thick of things, literally right next to Stockyard Station, the hub of all the action. We took a stroll around the shops and rescued a runt of a longhorn steer to complete our trip with us. I think his cousin is already part of our heard from a while back when we were over at LBJ’s ranch.

 

We had but to step to the curb to witness the alleged highlight of our excursion. That’s right … the cattle drive of longhorns right through town. After some hoopla generated by a cowboy on a microphone, the horses carrying cowboys emerged … and then the cattle. All longhorns. Ambling along at a snail’s pace. Maybe ten or fifteen of them. Texas longhorns. I videoed the event for posterity. Exactly two minutes and one second and they were gone. Woohoo.

 

Next we took a walk looking for a place to eat. Neither of us wanted steak or barbecue. I guess that’s a Texan sin. We settled on a little spot called Trailboss burgers. Maddi took good care of us. Chris had a salad and I went with the BLT.

 

Next we walked down the street to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. I didn’t expect to recognize anyone, but apparently you don’t have to be a real cowboy to get in. A Dallas Cowboys football player or two appeared good enough. Also several country music singers. And the King Ranch. Yep. The whole thing. And a couple of boot-making companies. My favorite inductee, however, was a rancher. Guy name Nolan Ryan. Even had one of his Astros caps and jerseys on display.

 

As we returned to the car, I couldn’t help but be distracted by an 8-year-old, very vocal, 2300 pound, 7 foot wingspan of a Texas Longhorn named Gunner. He just kept hollering for me to come over, so we finally did. And how could I resist the urge to climb aboard when he invited me. Yep. And Chris has the photos to prove it. The youngster (20 something) who was there to help me get on noticed my knee scar upon my dismount. He asked how long ago was my surgery and continued on to tell me he has already had both knees replaced and shoulder reconstructive surgery as well. You’re way too young, Cowboy, way too young.

 

On the way out of Fort Worth we took a quick detour and completed Chris’ collection of photos of our old seminary houses. This one had a new coat of paint, but not much else was different, even down to the garage from the 1930’s. I suppose now we can move on … on to Dallas!

 

Psalms 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

 

Father, thank you for the new trail ride experience. And take care of old Gunner for me. It’s pretty hot out there. Amen.

August 12 - “Images of the future”

Well, we said our goodbyes and officially left the Waco branch of the Vaughan family. Our first stop was actually a McAlister’s deli. Haven’t been to one of those very often since the one in Galveston shut down. Hmm. Unless we went there last week sometime. Pretty good food, anyway.

 

We drove into Fort Worth and stopped at Southwestern Seminary just to see what it looked like nowadays. It is now a very odd mixture of old and new. Lots of the old houses surrounding the campus are … well, gone. They have been razed and are now just green space. There is a soccer field that wasn’t there before. Oh, and they have started a college on campus as well. Texas Baptist College.

 

We decided to take a walk to get the feel of things a little better. It enabled us to see even more of the changes up close. We strolled through the old buildings I used to have classes in. They have all been renovated to some extent. There is now a hotel on campus. Very nice lobby. We didn’t get to see any of the rooms, but if we ever need a hotel in Fort Worth, I would stay there. There was one odd thing. We went into the library. Books are the same. Displays have been rearranged in the archaeology museum, but it was essentially the same. The school store is now in the library. Still had textbooks for sale. But the unusual thing? One tiny endcap had a minuscule collection of paper and spiral notebooks. I suppose the modern student does all his note-taking directly on a computer or iPad. Sign of the times, I suppose.

 

We also took a quick drive through the surrounding neighborhood in search of the old houses we used to live in. We lived in three different homes on the same street during our time there. And in the strangest quirk of all, I suddenly remembered the house number of all three houses. Chris took pictures of two of them. We forgot about the other one until we had already driven away, though. Maybe we can revisit sometime …

 

Galatians 5:25 says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

 

Father, thank you for memories, but thank you as well for images of the future. Amen.

August 11 - “Which was which?”

We pulled out around 7:30 for a quick day trip to Liberty Hill and then into Austin. Yes, the Texas one. Our goal? First … Terry Tunes, Yard Artist. Then … the LBJ Presidential Library. One destination was particularly suited for me. The other for Chris. Hmm. Which was which?

 

Oh boy! The presidential library will have to go a long way to beat out the yard artist. These two brothers are incredibly talented, creative, and more than a little bit crazy. Their property in Liberty Hill is covered with their yard art. And much of it can only be described as … creepy. An abundance of doll heads of all conditions, many of which have been combined with trees, fence posts, watering cans, a telescope, and even themselves (picture a doll head with arms and legs but no body), to form “art.”  And don’t forget the ones with snakes and worms crawling out of the orifices. And that’s just the small art pieces. They have giant guitars, a huge shoe, a massive Texas longhorn, all pieced together with smaller toys and pieces of toys. But the most amazing thing of all? Every piece has a story behind it, most often inspired by some rock and roll group’s song from the 60’s. And I’m pretty sure the artist was alive and well and actively participating in ALL of the extracurricular activities being afforded at that time. Seriously … it was a fun and fascinating place to visit. Just make sure you do it in the daytime.  It can get a little creepy after dark ...

 

From there we headed over to the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in Austin. It’s on the campus of the University of Texas there. It was interesting in its own way. My favorite part were the many examples of pop culture from each era of the 20th century. Chris got a stamp for her presidential library passport. We couldn’t find a place to eat near the library. Apparently there was one that we would have had to walk to, but it was well over 100 degrees again. So … no. We ate some crackers in the car on the way back to Waco. Hmm. That sounds like a country song, doesn’t it? “On the way back to Waco.”

 

1 Corinthians 12:25-27 says, “so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

 

Father, thank you for even more fun and entertaining places in your world. Amen.

August 10 - “Cousin, I’m sure”

Did another neighborhood walk. Two miles two days in a row. That slave driver is at it again.

 

After lunch and a nap or two, we went to Texas Ranger Hall of Fame. That’s Rangers, not Rangers. Talking about the Lone Ranger - Walker, Texas Ranger - Bonnie and Clyde. All those folks had more to do with this spot than did a certain baseball team in Arlington.  Pretty interesting place. Lots of guns. I even found a new friend there. Horney toad. Texas Ranger outfit on and everything. Cute stuff. We even found a picture of an old guy Ranger named Vaughan. Cousin, I’m sure.

 

From there we eased across a parking lot and a big cemetery. Well, OK. We drove around the cemetery. And what should we find but the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. But the Sports Hall of Fame was definitely worth the look. Especially the baseball cards from way back (like Tris Speaker and Ernie Banks).  They had a lot of Nolan Ryan stuff, as was expected. They had one of his rookie cards on display. I have one of those. They quoted Nolan as saying he must have thrown away hundreds of those through the years. Why? People would write him and send a card for an autograph but forget to include a return address. Yikes. Apparently at the time the display was put together the card was worth $1200-$1500.  Double yikes.

 

Last night Caleb had soccer practice. Zak had football practice. Josh had a meeting at church. That meant we had … grandparents duty. Actually, all we had to do was pick up Caleb after practice, so it wasn’t too difficult. And Luke rode with us, so there was no way we would get lost. They were practicing in the gym at the church rec center. Lots of fun to watch. Because of the smaller size, there was a lot more action than usual. If I’m not mistaken, Caleb even scored a goal. Woohoo!

 

1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

 

Father, thanks for our discovery of a few more different places to see.  Amen.

 

August 9 – “I’m a Nut: Colorado Edition 2022”

You have heard the reporter’s version of events over the last few days.  Now I fear I must subject you to the more artistic model of presentation of the same, for is it not the artistic that calls everyone to attention each morning?  Besides ... AnnaGrace enjoyed it.  Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you … “I’m a Nut: Colorado Edition 2022.”

 

I’m an acorn, small and round

Lyin’ on the cold, hard ground

Everyone walks over me

That is why I’m cracked, you see

I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.

I’m a nut, I’m a nut’ I’m a nut

 

Called myself on the telephone

Just to see if I was home

Asked me out for a little date

Picked me up about half past eight

I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.

I’m a nut, I’m a nut’ I’m a nut

 

Took myself to the movie show

Stayed too late and said, “Let’s go”

Grabbed my hand and led me out

Drove me home and gave a shout

I’m a nut.  I’m a nut.

I’m a nut, I’m a nut’ I’m a nut

  

Sunday:

AnnaGrace was first to hear

Still in Waco I sang cheer

Left this temp of a hundred one

Hoping for a sixties run

 

Amarillo’s our first goal

After church we’re on a roll

DQ ice cream was a treat

Nani n DadDad are so sweet

 

Braum’s became our dinner stop

What’s the highlight of that hop?

Luke got his inmost desire

Bag o burgers he’s on fire

 

Monday:

We did have a glitch arise

“Change oil soon” to our surprise

I sought out a Firestone branch

Met them at the Cadillac Ranch

 

Zak, he conquered Mount Tall Car

We took photos from afar

Vandalism? Surely not

AG loved this new craft - lots

 

Final meal on travel beat

Big Bill’s Pizza, have a seat

This guy’s famous friends and all

Cover up one total wall

 

It was late when we arrived

Luke had words for our new hive

As the car door opened wide

“Dad, it’s freezing here” he cried

 

Upstairs, downstairs beds abound

Bed under a bed we found

Caleb worked especially hard

Hauling stuff in from the cars

 

Finally, all were settled down

To their sleep without a sound

Soon it’s to the park we’ll go

What strange critters will it show?

  

Tuesday:

When we woke up, what a view

Deck surrounds this house, who knew

Mountains, trees abound to see

God sure did good, didn’t he?

 

Luke was up to start the day

“It is freezing,” he did say

Luke was first at critter finds

Baby deer ran by behind

 

That young critter he returned

For that good grass he did yearn

When our guys went out to play

Deer jumped, Caleb ran away

 

Critters were our hope to see

More than just a random bee

So we gathered up our crew

Headed for the park to view

 

Waited in the entry line

Got inside just after nine

Headed straight for the Bear Lake

Time for hikes for us to take

 

First one ‘round the lake we go

But the boys they added more

Zak was highest, Caleb then

Luke was not far behind them

 

Here the critters came to see

These strange animals like we!

Chipmunks were the bravest sort

AG squealed with glee a lot

 

Second hike a challenge was

Climbed up higher for because

At the top was our reward

Waterfall was beauty’s card

 

There the hikes came to an end

Rain and cold we must contend

Got some stamps for Nani’s book

Saw a movie worth the look

 

Dinner recommended site

Dodged some gas pumps, went inside

In that random gas station

Good burgers and food within

 

Auto-wrestle-mania

Pitted all the Vaughan boys – uh

Luke escaped to front seat land

Caleb had Zak well in hand

 

Back at home and time for bed

“First a shower,” Mommy said

Then a treat some s’mores we ate

And saw double rainbows - great!

 

DadDad won Exploding Cats

Won again, so tip your hats

Planning meeting ends the day

Drives and hikes and town to play

  

Wednesday:

Trail Ridge Road was day’s appeal

Views up there are the real deal

Photo ops abounded true

Caleb’s fashion shoot – who knew?

 

Ag’s quote the day sure stole

“Bathrooms here are toilet holes.

One thing missing, just not there

Flushers gone, I don’t know where”

 

Casualty caught up with us

On a trail that’s paved – no fuss

DadDad tripped and down he fell

Helped back up, he said, “All’s well”

 

Here’s a new word for this yarn

Mountain lake is called a tarn

Continental Divide lake

Zak’s whole leg did almost take

 

Afternoon nap sure felt nice

Missed the Astros win all right

Then into the town we went

To Fun City we’d been sent

 

Bungee jumps got all the boys

Then the go carts made some noise

Zak and Caleb fought it out

DadDad came in last, don’t pout

 

Mexican for dinner food

Walked through town, enjoyed the mood

AG found her dear chipmunk

Ice cream in our bellies sunk

 

Thursday:

What a thing to make you glad

Morning song by old DadDad

He woke all with “I’m a Nut”

AnnaGrace said “Please, just cut!”

 

Headed back into the park

Got more hikes that we have marked

Josh said, “What? No entry line?

Works for me, hey, this is fine”

 

Saw some deer right off the bat

Eh, just deer? Now that’s old hat

Waterfall climb made us sing

Luke even did bouldering

 

Cross the street to a stream then

AnnaGrace is going in!

There we saw some fishermen

Now it’s Luke who’s going in! 

 

Saw some turkeys of all size

Josh saw dinner in his eyes

AG friended butterflies

Frolicked singing laughing “hi’s!”

 

Caleb yelped with critter newy

It’s a chipmunk, he’s named Chewy

“Did you bite him?” Christi feared

“Who’re you talking to?” We jeered

 

I can say I’m finally “in”

AG reached and took my hand

Mountain Coaster me and she

Flew on that thing screaming, whee!

 

Back for pizza challenge slice

3-foot round one was the price

Kids all gave it their best shot

One piece left they finished not

 

After that much food we ate

Took a walk just like a date

Drove out to YMCA

Where Josh basketball did play.

  

Friday:

Two does joined our Bambi fawn

Munching out upon our lawn

Gas station to donuts down

Then to used bookstore in town

 

Two more hikes around some lakes.

Boys shed shoes and caused some wakes

Shorts hiked up like diapers high

And some fish were swimming by

 

Rain and lightning flash flood watch

Back to cabin pack and such

Time to eat - Shamrock again

And Fun City, who will win?

 

One last stop for park sign pic

My, aren’t we so nostalgic

Zak won rat killer, he’s bad

AG’s cats exploded Dad!

 

Saturday:

Something strange occurred this day

Right on time we got away

Christi’s schedule can’t be beat

She’s sure tough for one so sweet

 

First stop this time kinda hard

Had to park way in the yard

One mile hike – Garden of Gods

Crowds abound, what are the odds?

 

Chose the driving tour this time

All the sights were really fine

But the people - get us free!

On that thought we all agreed

 

Chick-fil-A provided lunch

For our hungry travel bunch

In Raton New Mexico

To the potty we did go

 

Grabbed some gas and took off then

To Volcano Capulin

Long drops Christi didn’t like

Into crater we did hike

 

We left quickly once we found

Lightning angry clouds abound

Into Texas – Dalhart town

XIT for dinner down

 

Amarillo’s in our sights

Switched up drivers for the nights

Pulled in late and straight to bed

“No complaints” is what I said.

  

Sunday:

But my thoughts were oh, so wrong

Morning brought a different song

Bathrooms dirty, scraped my back

Bedbugs visit for Josh - yack!

 

Scratch that hotel off the list

It is one we will not miss

On to church at FBC

God-church worship, friends did see

 

That church had a huge bird cage

Pretty birds were all the rage

Luke said Seaside needs one too

Caleb said no seagulls do

 

Lunch in Childress Waco bound

Nani’s car got turned around

She and Siri got them back

Pretty soon we’re back on track

 

Now we’re home in Waco town

All the luggage emptied down

Now it’s time to look ahead

To next trip? No! Time for bed!

 

August 8 - “Waco bound”

We got out of our hotel ASAP in the morning. We had a few issues there. Number one: Christi found bedbugs in their room. They had to change rooms late at night. I had an altercation with the handle on the shower door. It won. I have a bruise to show it. Those are just two of many. We won’t be staying there again.

 

We made it to our seats in First Baptist Church of Amarillo just as the full-blown choir entered in all their robed glory. They started out the service with three baptisms. From there on out it was a real “God service.”  Very  high-church style. Chris commented that we haven’t sung those songs in a long time.

 

Right before the sermon the pastor stood up and asked if there was a doctor in the house. One of the ladies in the choir was having some problems. A doctor and several others jumped to the stage and helped her off. We found out later that she was doing fine.

 

After the service Josh chatted with some friends he knew while the rest of us gawked at the mist unexpected sight so far in a church. They had a six-foot tall glass cage for 12 or 13 very colorful birds. Not what one would anticipate, right? Luke said

Seaside should get its own bird. Caleb recommended the seagulls that we already had. Sounded good to me. Just stick your head out the door and there they are. Or, as Luke noted, there is a whole beach full of possibilities.

 

After getting gas, we got back on the road again. Zak was ready to take the lead, so Chris fell in behind him.

 

Our next stop was lunch in Childress. They had a Dairy Queen available so we took them up on it. We chatted around the table about the worship service. It was fun to hear what the kids all thought. I didn’t know Zak was such a fan of the traditional. And AnnaGrace was most impressed with the beauty of the building.

 

The trip back to Waco was pretty uneventful. Well, except when Nani somehow missed a turn and headed toward Dallas. She and Siri figured out a way back, though, and we were reunited. We finally made it back around 6:30. Home again.

 

Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 

Father, thank you for the fellow believers we met and worshipped with. Bless them as they minister in Amarillo. Amen.