Installment #9 - Retirement Trip

3-21-06

Days 38 and 39 on the road. Lots of interesting country when we headed towards Austin. Stopped by to see the Collin Street Bakery where the fruitcakes are made and shipped to every state in the USA and 193 countries (the ones Clair Colburn used to send to us every year). Had a great overnight stay at Sharon’s cousin’s home (Chuck) in Lakeway TX. http://lakewayresort.com/index.asp Chuck’s place of work.
Water tower leading to that town was shaped like a golf ball on top of a very tall column. Chuck’s home backed up to the 18th hole of one of the golf courses in the area. He had quite a house full – 3 dogs (one an old English Sheepdog, 2 rabbits, 2 birds, turtles, aquarium, and small fish bowl). Tony and I were each given a lint remover when we got there to remove the dog hair whenever we felt the need. J

On Day 40, we left the friends in Mabank and went up the road towards Dallas. Stopped for an overnight stay in Seagoville. We sat for a couple of hours just watching the birds fly from tree to electric line. Neither of us had ever seen so many birds. Began to think we were in a scene from Alford Hitchcock’s movie, "The Birds". When it began to get dark, Tony was concerned about where they were all going to go for the night.

Called back home for messages – Tony now has an order to make 25 rug frames for United Notions in Dallas – he called and asked them if they could wait 6-8 weeks for them – answer "yes". That was good news.

Drove down the freeway into Dallas at the peak of a long, long rain storm that dropped 11 inches of rain that day. Spent the week-end with Sharon’s friend Anita and husband Bill.
Day 43 – ready to tour Dallas. Found an RV park on a lake yesterday…will probably stay here for 4-6 days and see the sites. Tony and I drove into Dallas, whipped into the first parking lot we saw near the JFK memorial. We began walking (probably walked four miles looking at sites for the day) – JFK memorial, Red building (formerly courthouse, now a tourist bureau), Texas book depository, "the grassy knoll". We walked slowly around the whole area where John Kennedy was assassinated and took pictures – spooky. It was pretty obvious by what people were looking at, how they were looking at it and what they were saying that this incident hit the USA very, very hard. They were still selling newspapers on the street showing all the sordid details of the occasion – we dipped into capital and bought one. Continued on walking to Thanksgiving plaza (arrived there just in time to hear the bells toll). Got on the trolley to see the Dallas arts district – trolley was put out of commission in early 30’s, some guy lived in it for 30 years before it was found and restored and put back in use….driver of trolley was more than willing to tell us about everything we were seeing. Walked to the Fountain plaza building, and then to the convention center - huge place - took picture of world's largest bronze monument, 40 Texas longhorn steers and 3 cowboys on horses, in pioneer plaza. Walked on down to see Gilleys of Dallas – they are only open on Fridays and Saturdays. We did go in and take a couple of pictures.

Evening was spent with Pat and Anita (Sharon’s two high school friends) in the motor home.