Nothing Is Really Perfect

We had the perfect spot, at the tip of the campground with water on three sides and a direct view of the Tucker Tower across from us.  Sunset provided the perfect lighting for photos but then the full moon began to rise across the water, creating a postcard perfect scene.  After dinner and a bonfire, we enjoyed the cool weather cuddled together in the tent.  The next morning while we were out in Lake Murphy Park, the winds began to rise.  We came back to find half the tent down and the rest billowing like a parachute.  Although we tried to tie things down, we reluctantly determined we would have to move from our perfect point to a less exposed camp site around the corner.  The very aspects that made our original site so attractive became its greatest liability in the strong winds and stronger gusts.  Still, we are grateful we had that one perfect night.  Check out the photo below!

Our campsite view at the point in Lake Murray State Park in Oklahpma

A Meat-lovers Dream at Salt Lick (the original) in Driftwood, Texas

Eating Through Texas

I hadn't really expected to eat out so much in Texas but we found some
really good and reasonable places. So I haven't cooked anything
beyond oatmeal and pancakes for a few days. But let me tell you about
a few great spots.
In Houston we visited Barnaby's Cafe, the original location. Our
server Cuba advised us on the menu and as first time visitors made us
promise to visit only the original site which she declared was much
better. Quite the funky place and lots of people-watching
opportunity. Actually the tables are so close you become wrapped up
in each others conversations. The meatloaf and chicken dishes were
huge portions and delicious with fresh sauteed spinch and starch.
Everything homemade with emphasis on natural. Their to-go products
are made from corn and are biodegradeable within 6 months, including
clear drink cups.
Outside Austin we visited Salt Lick BBQ on the recommendation of our
friends the Racers. Great cowboy barbeque in a huge place outside town.
Our last great experience was at Garrido's in Austin. The mahi and
the fried oyster tacos were superb as was the mango flan.
We're heading now to Lake Murray, OK where I'll be cooking ... unless
I hear about some other great place!

Lunch at Cafe Reconcile

Revisiting New Oeans

Great day in NOLA! It has been two years since we worked restoration
with our chuch group. There were lots of fresh, new homes where we
had worked. But lots of devastation still remains. What a treat to
have lunch at Cafe Reconcile! Please plan to eat here if you come to
New Orleans and consider supporting this effective and innovative
program that changes lives and gives real hope for breaking the cycle
of poverty. Also visited St Roch Community Church but forget to get
photos with phone so postings will have to wait. The church looks
great and Pastor JB Watkins is doing amazing things for the Lord.
Hope these photos won't make you too hungry!

After

As you see, we were able to set up the tent without worry of
thunderstorms. And Wednesday was a beautiful morning. All is good at
Big Lagoon!

Before

Three Unexpected Gifts

On the first day of our great adventure we visited Westminster Oaks
Retirement Community. Although I'm on the board I've never visited
the expansive property in Tallahasee. Each staff member we met was
delightful and each resident so enthusiastic in describing the
property. But best of all were these three gifts:

1. A lovely lady pulled a beaded bracelet from the pouch on her
walker along with an explanation of what each bead means. This is my
first treasure of the trip.

2. Serendipity resulted in my meeting Dr. Charlotte Maguire, M.D., a
woman I've heard much about but had never met. We spent much of the
evening together and I am so inspired by not just her many
achievements but her simple grace. I encourage you to Google her name
to learn more about "Just Plain Charlotte," as she asked me to call her.

3. We were treated to a wonderful piano performance after dinner.
Our soloist performed her upcoming final recital for her M.A. at
Florida State. The performance was spectacular and the young lady was
charming and so informative about her chosen pieces.

The day was perfect aside from my anxiety about the next day's weather
report. Will I stick to the plan to camp if the expected thunderstorm
materializes? Check back soon to find out!

Testing a Marriage

We've started to pack and I realize packing for a 2-month trip in a Buick sedan is an excellent test of a marriage.  It requires us to share a common vision of what we are doing and when we are doing it.  For example, tent needs to be at front of trunk.  Firestarter logs can be at back of trunk.  Seems simple enough?  Then you and your spouse try it.  You'll find yourselves questioning whether or not you really need that extra propane canister, how many bungee cords you can possibly use at one campsite and how necessary a box of spices really is for camp food (I can't imagine cooking without them!).  I think our marriage must be firmly intact.  We each managed to select half our golf clubs to combine into one golf bag -- no arguement, no hard feelings and room to bring along one more club each than we originally had agreed to.  So maybe we are off to a good start.  Stay tuned ...

A Hard Habit To Break

"Planning" is a hard habit to break. For me, not having a plan is
like jumping off a cliff (or maybe just a table). It is an act of
faith to give up the feeling of control that a plan in hand gives me.
How can someone like me, who has even a plan for planning, go on a
long trip with no plan?? Faith. Plus pre-planning the first few days
to ease off my dependency. Wish me luck, I'm developing some
unstructuring anxiety. Is there a support group for people like us?

Who Says You Can't Go Home?

My husband and I took my mom back to our hometown of Pittsburgh as part of her 80th birthday celebration. Mom and I prepared ourselves for significant change and decline but agreed we wanted to visit the houses where we had lived during my childhood and hers. What a treat! Each of the houses looked better than we even had remembered them!