Stormin’ Texas

Girls in the backseat..boys in the front. We’re old but the refrain from the rear is the same as childhood: “Are we there yet?”

I have to admit, it was with a bit of snickering smugness that the four of us breezed out of Sioux Falls on Thursday rejoicing in our good fortune at having beat the big blizzard by a matter of hours as we pointed Big Red south where they actually know how to do spring right with warm temperatures, gentle breezes and air perfumed with the aroma of blooming azaleas and bluebonnets.We drove through rain and chilly conditions through Nebraska and Kansas..had a brief spurt of the 70’s in Missouri but before we could get out of the car to appreciate the warmth..we were in Oklahoma on the heels of a cold front and we haven’t seen sixty degrees since.

Anybody else wanna drive??? (sound of crickets chirping)

Denny, Joanie, Linda and I are not only sharing close quarters in our big car but, for the first time in our many travels, we’re sharing a big room together too. It wasn’t really part of the plan but it turns out that when our friend, Chad Fredericksen, (Mitchell native who lives in Dallas) offered to book our hotel..the pickin’s were slimmer than anticipated because not only is the big NASCAR race in the area..but so is the Final Four at Jerry Jones shrine stadium but also a huge music festival going on in Downtown Dallas so we were glad to have any place to rest our weary heads.  We’ve always bragged about how close our relationship has become over the years. So far, we have determined that none of us can claim we do not snore and, we’re not afraid to kick somebody out of the bathroom if they’re getting in the way of an emergency evacuation.

As I write this, it’s Sunday morning. It’s raining here in the Dallas area jeopardizing one of the main reasons for making this trip: The Duck Commander 500 Nascar race at Texas Motor Speedway. I’m going to finish up here with a few photos of our journey so far and then take advantage an opening and take a shower before we make the 20 mile drive over to the track, find our seats in the grandstand, then sit there like a bunch of slugs in the cold  (48 degrees) drinking 8 dollar beer watching the sputtering skies and rooting for the fastest blow dryer trucks; the only vehicles making circles on the speedway. I’ll let you know how things turn out. So far, there’s only been a smattering of sarcasm, self pity and swearing because of our situation; mostly from Joanie and me. Denny and Linda are more “make-the-best-of-it-personalities.”

Well, the first thing ya know ol Jed’s a millionaire.

We roll into Dallas in Sunshine and meet up with our host, Chad and his kids, Hadlee and Holden at the golf course.

A little chilly but, hey, we’re enjoying a grown up beverage outside.

Chad and his lovely wife, Julie, have a beautiful home along a golf course. Julie is from Texas, Chad’s folks..you might know..have Chef Louie’s in Mitchell for years.

I didn’t get a picture but right inside the front door is a music room that contains a 1911 Steinway concert grand piano. It made my version of chopsticks sound spectacular!

Chad took us sightseeing on Friday to all the usual sights in the area with lots of food stops including a fabulous pizza lunch at Grimaldis. Baked in coal fired ovens. Delicious.

Holden took a shine to us all which, according to his parents, is rare so we’re flattered.

Hadlee especially bonded with Linda.

 

Hadlee went to a Wizard of Oz birthday party in a pair of the most realistic pair of ruby slippers I’ve ever seen.

If the pizza was a little slice of heaven for the rest of us, a stop at the Cheesecake Factory for dessert was like having a personal conversation with God for Joanie.

Headed over to Ft. Worth for a taste of the Ol’ West. Tried to get Linda to mount a longhorn for a photo op…she refused.

Whether or not the sun may shine..there’s always solice in good friends and wine.