Bob-Kats on the Road 2-20-11

Adios

I am glad I am writing this, even if no one but me ever reads it (a distinct possibility).  The wonderful experiences of a day are quickly over-laid by more experiences the next day.  At the end of this trip (which has no planned end at this point), I would never recall the little details that made that particular experience so special. 

We left Mission with a little sadness as in that short time we had become attached to things.  My favorite grocery store, Foy’s – ethnic , full of interesting things that astonish me on nearly every trip.  Behind a lady one evening, Bob and I were transfixed by the large completely unfamiliar meat items she had.  We waited while they were scanned and then quickly looked to the screen  – beef tripe (stomach?) and beef feet.  What on earth are you making???  Alton Brown’s recipe for soap?  Dinner for a chupacabra?   (Thank you, Darrick, for that word.  I love it.)  You see, even an ordinary trip to the grocery store can be interesting.

The people we met in Chimney Park were awesome.  They are “heartland” people, from the fly-over states”  --  Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, etc.  I don’t know, but I think that had something to do with a certain grace that they had.  Their faces seem open, alight with friendliness, untroubled by the events of modern times.   Some of my favorites:

Liz, our neighbor from Northern Michigan, pictured here at the 50’s luncheon.   She is totally engaged – engaged with park life, engaged with life, a joy to know.

Glenn, a gentle person, an outdoorsman, with amazing stories, the perfect neighbor.

Glenn’s dog Yukon, possibly the best dog in the world.  If Glenn could clone him, he would the Bill Gates of the pet world.  Yukie is also the luckiest dog because he belongs to Liz and Glenn.

Darrel was lineman for the city of Fargo,  North Dakota.  For any of you out there who hate your jobs, just think about that for a minute – winter in Fargo, up on a pole messing with electricity.  Hmmm?   He is also the only person I ever met who has eaten lutefisk (it's Norwegian - cod preserved in lye.  yikes)  A tough guy, but such a nice man.  I hope Bev dances a whole polka with you, Darrel!

Earl from Iowa, who whiled away the two hours of his wife’s dental work in Progreso at the Red Panty bar, seen here at one of our "happy hours".  I think Earl might have a lot of happy hours! 

On the road again, heading west along the Mexican border to our first stop, Falcon.

Okay, I didn't say it was fancy.  This is the same place where we tried to camp.  We loved it, but were defeated by wind and arctic cold after just one day.  Motor home this time and it was terrific.  The wind blew, the coyotes sang and we loved it again.

This is a place with no rules – and it’s free.  The Canadians we met the last time were still there.  They had in fact been there since November.  A Frenchman from Quebec, this is a man who has it ALL figured out.  Exuding charm and joie de vivre, he does exactly as he pleases.  He knows all the best places to go that are for the most part free, usually  with some kind of little kick to them such as a place on Padre Island where you can “be natural”, as he says, which I think means no tan lines. 

He is a totally free spirit, playing his concertina and singing in front of a campfire with his girl friend at his side, living in his extravagant bus with a little Smart car for tooling around. 

Katherine.  There is a story there, I am sure.  She is the camp host, but at 92, she is not much of an authority figure (which may account for the no rules thing.)  She lives in the small house provided by the county, one room filled to the ceiling with books, her six cats wandering around.  As I said, there is no charge for staying there, but people who have been there for a while take care of Katherine in their own way and generally watch out for her.   The Canadians bring her dinner on the weekends when Meal on Wheels does not operate.  She loves chocolate and chips, so we brought her a bag of treats that will last her a while (along with some money, of course).   A thoroughly sweet lady and one I will not forget.

So long, a privilege to have met and gotten to know you all.  I wish you all blue Texas skies.

And to my nephew, Danny, released this week from the hospital where he has been since October, blue skies.  I hope you will be home soon.