Texas: Day 1
Last Friday we departed Destin at 7:30 AM with a van full of kids, clothing, toys, DVDs, and snacks. The map app on my iPhone claimed the trip to Texas was to be 10 hours, which of course did not include any stops along the way.
Almost always, our road trips are within Florida’s border, with most of our time spent on I-10, I-75, and/or I-95. Although I detest being trapped in a vehicle for more than two hours, at least driving west is more interesting than driving east. Seeing five states in ten hours makes me feel almost as productive as organizing 200+ items in either labeled storage bins or an excel spreadsheet.
Alabama didn’t take long, since we basically just cut through the bottom tip of the state.
Mississippi took significantly longer than Alabama, going through such cities as Hattiesburg, Jackson, and Vicksburg. Incidentally, there ain’t jack to eat between Hattiesburg and Jackson, so should you take a similar road trip, plan accordingly.
We cut across the top of Louisiana, which took awhile, as well. We drove through some horrible storms, but I managed to not have a nervous breakdown.
By the time we reached Texas, Andy and I were pretty much hallucinating. We almost hit a stupid Pomeranian that thought it would be exciting to play frogger in the highway. Gotta love it when people let their pets run wild and almost cause an accident involving 10+ vehicles. LEASHES and FENCES, people. Is it too much to ask?
We cut through Carthage on the way to my grandparents’ lake house in Clayton. Granny and Daddy Joe have been gone for years. It broke my heart to see their precious house turned into a bail bonds place. I noticed my favorite porch swing was gone.
As per the plan, we arrived at the lake house just in time for the fish fry. My grandmother was quick to get her baby sugar.
But Jonah wasn’t the only baby! Stella, not quite two months old, stole the show.
Isn’t Stella sweet?!
My grandmother’s brother (Reed) didn’t remember me, even though we had been good buddies the last time I was in town. I suppose that’s what happens when you don’t visit for 16 years. I suck.
Uncle Mike and Aunt Pam were there, of course. I don’t think I’ve seen Pam since this photo was taken. Geez, what is wrong with my family? How does that much time pass? I’m embarrassed.
We all had a nice time reminiscing about the good ol’ days and catching up on how things had changed since our last reunion. And we ate so much of my granddaddy’s fried fish and my grandmother’s pecan pie that it was hard to move. Good times.
