A wonderful place to eat, Beef N Barrel

Tonight we are staying in Olean, New York, the home of St. Bonaventure University where a friend MaryAnn used to teach English.   She later moved to the Philadelphia area to do the same.   We asked at the desk of our hotel for a good local place to eat and she recommended Beef N Barrel, here in town.  So after walking around part of downtown we went in search of this restaurant.   After asking only once we were able to park right in front.  Their special is roast beef on Kummelwick, which is a terrific tasting bun.   It was melt in your mouth beef.   Foxy had sliced roast beef plate au jus.  Finally we topped it off with home made apple pie.  Our waitress was Michelle and she was superb.  If you ever get to the southern tier of western New York State then stop in Olean and try the Beef N Barrel.   You will not be disappointed.   Happy travels.   

Traffic

When we left Little Rock, Arkansas, about 40 miles to the East we ran into some construction on the road.   Fortunately for east going traffic there was no slow down but the poor folks going west were cut down to one lane and the traffic was backed up for about ten miles.   Awful for them!  Later that same day as we got into northern Kentucky we ran into the same problem with the south traffic having the same problem and the backup was again many miles.   We were fortunate in both cases and felt bad for the other travelers going in the opposite directions. 

Today when we skirted Columbus we found a fast lane going east that was perfect and moved the traffic right along.   So as we arrive in New York State we really have had little slow and go type traffic and feel very fortunate for sure.   Happy travels.

Little Rock, Arkansas

Tonight we are staying in Little Rock, Arkansas.   When we arrived we fed Max and left him to guard the room and then drove to the city center next to the Arkansas River.   There is located the Presidential Library of William Jefferson Clinton  (420.  Also located in the same area is the River Market which has lots of shops and restaurants and a store of presidential paraphernalia.  We only had an hour before the library closed so drove by the outside and then went to the market area to get in a good walk, stop for a brewsky and hordeuvers of crab cakes.   We think we made the better choice considering the time restraints.   Billy Bob's library will have to wait for another visit.  We also managed not to visit Hope, Arkansas where Billy Bob was born.   Maybe another time.   Tomorrow - Memphis.  Happy travels.

Pleasant elderly gentleman

I was looking over a written report of one of my doctors when I came across the phrase, he is a pleasant elderly gentleman.  I can be pleasant but not always.   I can be grumpy, angry, disorderly or obnoxious but really try to be pleasant most of he time.  Indeed I open doors for others of all ages and gender but do not always open the car door for Foxy.   My excuse is that our car door clicker no longer works and costs too much to replace and thus I have to go to the drivers side to open that door and then operate the switch to open all of the rest of the doors.  I do not always dress like a gentleman since I have been retired, I prefer to  dress very casually and favor blue jeans.  iI try not to interrupt others when they are talking and generally work on being a gentleman. 

Now as for the elderly business.   That is just so wrong.   That doctor should realize that there is a naughty 35 year old inside of me desperately trying to escape this wrinkled prison who frequently gets out by saying whatever comes to mind and damn the consequences.   I think elderly means to me that I am stooped over, walk with a cane, can't hear well or see well.   My cataracts have been operated on, so I can see well and my hearing aids work most of the time even if everyone around me does not talk clearly.   I keep all my canes in the storage unit and as for being stooped over, well, you get the picture.    Happy travels.

Packing up

We are getting ready for our trip North to New York State.   This means hauling stuff to the storage unit including a gazebo we use for additional shade, folding chairs, bikes, and the barbeque grill with its attachments.   We had to borrow Kim's car to transport some of this since it does not all fit in our car.   Then we took plants and flowers and some of the refrigerator supplies over to Kim's house.   One of our neighbors, Bob, received the rest including my peanut butter jar but not before I had one more lunch of a PB sandwich.  

Foxy put stuff away inside and I continued to work on the outside.   Then we both packed to be away for three months.   We take a traveling bag to get us in and out of motels and the rest stays in the car.   Max is going too and whining about it.   He knows something is up and is quite worried.   The first day on the road he will continue to whine and then get yelled at until he settles down into a completely bored routine and start sleeping although he does like to watch out the window.

Tomorrow morning we will complete any last minute packing, move in the slides on the motor home and take it about ten miles north of here to be stored.   We will then retrace our steps and go to our church where we are being interviewed by a consultant who has been hired to help our church move forward into the future and perhaps not lose any more members.  This should take about 30 minutes and then we will truly be on our way and start heading  first to Arkansas and then Memphis.  Even though we have been on the road a great deal during the last month, I am looking forward to this trip.  We live in a beautiful country and it is a treat to visit some of these places and sights again.   Happy travels.

We travel back to Denton

Early on Sunday morning we packed up the car, cleaned up at the home where we stayed and then over to Tim and Kristy's home to pick up Kim and boys and were on the road by 7:00 am.   We stopped for a bite of breakfast and then later on for lunch.    There was light traffic most of the way and this time we arrived by traveling through Dallas on I35 E.   By five o'clock we were glad to be home and to get unpacked.   This has been the third significant  trip we have made in the last four weeks.  We are really tired but now face the prospect of putting our motor home in storage and heading for New York to help my mom be moved into an assisted living situation, quite a change after living alone for thirty years.  Happy travels.

Keilah graduates

Keilah graduated this past weekend on Saturday.   She has been home schooled by her mother for the past twelve years, will spend the summer in Honduras and then attend Grace University in Omaha in the fall planning to become a nurse.   She is a poised young lady and will rise to the challenge of her college curriculum I am sure.   She graduated with ten other home schooled  students and during the graduation ceremony each graduate made a presentation followed by his/her parents.  It took about two hours for the presentations.    Following the ceremony there was a reception and later a second reception for family and close friends at home.   A busy day for sure.   Happy travels.

Beth and Harold

We learned to our delight that good friends Beth and Harold were also in South Texas for a grandson's graduation from college.   We met them when we lived in Omaha.   Beth is a scientist specializing in fertility issues of rare animals and specializes in bats.   Harold was a dispatcher with the Union Pacific Railroad.   Now both have retired and they returned a week ago from a four month trip which included two months in Australia (Beth's home) and two months in Dubai where Beth worked on camel fertility issues.

We agreed to meet at a Starbucks for coffee about half an hour East of here.  We arrived at the Starbucks and found that they had just arrived.   Coffee all around and nearly two hours later we surfaced for air and had to leave as we all had other obligations.  It was a reconnection as if we had seen each other yesterday.

What a joy to reconnect with good friends.   Happy travels.

Four ticket ride

Kim and boys with us in tow drove down to McAllen, TX for Keilah's graduation on Wednesday.   We left Denton about 2 pm and arrived there around 11 pm quite tired.  We are staying at a house of friends of Tim and Kristy and Kim and boys are staying with Tim and Kristy.   On Thursday we decided to take the kids out for lunch at Fuddruckers.  Keilah drove the family Ford people hauler which holds 11 comfortably.   This van is quite big but Keilah handled it like a pro.  She did manage to drive over several curbs when trying to turn into parking lots with small entrances.   Thus the four ticket ride for the passengers sitting in the back of the van.   We all laughed and Keilah took it in good humor.   I think that if any of the adults were the drivers they would have hit the curbs too.  

There was much coming and going all day.   Keilah went to graduation practice with her parents.   I took Lydia to soccer practice.  Other trips kept happening.   Dinner was served in two sessions as people returned at various times.  It was a fun day and the cousins enjoyed each other.   Happy travels.

Fun lunches

After going to church we decided to walk around the corned around the Denton City Square for mother's day lunch.   Foxy enjoyed the treat as we went to Cartwright's Restaurant.   I had a club sandwich and she had Cobb Salad.   She was keeping weight off as we had a doctors appointment on Tuesday.   Lunch was good and then later we were invited to Kim and Chuck for a mother's day dinner.   It was good.  We left quite filled.

On Monday Chris came through Denton on his way to a meeting in the Dallas area and we took him to lunch at Cartwrights again.   This time he had the chicken fried steak, Foxy had soup and salad and I had catfish.   The food was good and we talked non stop catching up on Chris's family.

Today we kept a good thing going and went to lunch with Kim at Seven Mile Cafe.  She got a salad and lentil soup, Foxy salad with chicken and I had eggs Benedict.  

You might wonder why we keep going out to eat and the fact that our refrigerator is empty as we get ready to travel to New York at the end of the month might be the explanation.  Happy travels.

Came the 100

I heard today that a definition of friend is that when the whole world leaves you, the person that stays is your friend.   Herb was in decline for many years and toward the end of his life really felt like the person that the whole world leaves.  Throughout this time some of us did not leave and tried in many ways to assist Herb as he fought his depression and difficult time.   In the end it overwhelmed him and the illness that finally took over his body did him a great service as now he can be at peace.  

In the service of commemoration of Herb's life several of his friends and both of his children spoke.  I looked around at the service and later at the reception and could see that the 100 were present and supportive of him and his life.   He touched many of us as life went along and probably never realized what a great friend he had been to each.   Happy and restful travel, Herb.

Home again

After spending a week in Albuquerque preparing for Herb's funeral, we have returned home.   The funeral was on Friday and a celebration of his life.  It was good to bring closure and especially good to see and visit with friends.   He will be missed but he is in a better place.  

On Saturday we left Albuquerque about 6:30 am which is late for us since I like to get an early start on a road trip.  Gas prices varied but the best price was $3.55.  We arrived here in Denton about 6 pm, unloaded, drove to the storage unit and finished unloading, and then to the kids house to pick up Max.   He is shaggy but loveable and really needs a trim.   Home and early to bed for sure. 

We will be here until Wednesday when we head to South Texas for Keilah's high school graduation. Lots to do in a short time.   Happy travels.

Valley Admin Team meets for lunch

In the late 1980's I was appointed Principal of Valley High School and stayed in that job for many years until retirement.   I was very fortunate to assemble a wonderful administrative team who worked well together.   Since retirement we meet on occasion usually every couple of years.   Since we had returned to Albuquerque for Herb's funeral, I wrote them emails and today we managed to get together for lunch.  We (Foxy and I)  were joined by Toby, Leah and Dr. Gus and Toby gets the credit for finding a good restaurant and making sure that Gus and Leah could make today's lunch.  Leah was double booked but still managed two lunches, although she only ate at one of them .  Gus has now retired and Toby and Leah could but still remain doing fine work for the school system.   We spent the whole time getting caught up on each others lives and doings.  The Mexican food was excellent.  One of the owners had gone to high school with Toby.   It is a small world.  Most of all we laughed the whole time.

I have worked in various schools over the years and this by far is the best team that I have ever worked with.  Indeed we not only like and respect each other but like has grown  into love and caring.   What a joy!  Happy travels.

Panos racing car

Jerry has been racing his Panos, company made, racing car for several years now.   We have talked about various races in locations all over the western states but have never had the opportunity to see him race.  This weekend he was racing on Saturday and Sunday, just West of Albuquerque.  Sunday after church we drove out to the racetrack in time to watch his 2 pm race.    Michelle checked us in at the gate and Andy showed us where to sit to view the race just as it began.  There were seven cars in the race and early on Jerry was in third place and then passed a car and became second and finished in that position at the end.  

We left the stands and went out to the pit area to congratulate him on his second place finish and also got to look over all of the cars and meet many of the driver/owners.  What a terrific group of men we met and most complementary of Jerry.   No wonder he likes this sport.   It was a nice break for us in this week preparing for Herb's funeral.  One of  Herb's best friends is also a racer.   He drives a Porche. 

Home for salmon and portobello mushrooms on the grill.   A great day for sure.   Happy travels.

Quanah, home of PUHA

Yesterday we got up at 3:30 am and were on the road to Albuquerque by 4:15.  Do you think I overdid it a bit?  You should hear Foxy's take on this EARLY  START.  We took Texas highway 380 west of Denton, which is a two lane road, following two rather slow trucks, in the dark, of course.   I also mention that there was a yellow double line between the two lanes which commonly means, "NO PASSING!"  A car rapidly came up behind me and got frustrated with our three vehicle convoy and decided to pass us.   Just as he reached the middle truck, he encountered a car coming toward us.   I could see the accident unfolding.  Our idiot pulled off on the dirt, left shoulder, to get out of the way of the oncoming car and that car went between our idiot and our convoy.   Then he pulled back onto the road and finished passing.  Jump start the pacemaker!  How he managed not to get himself or some of us killed, I do not know.

After about 25 miles of driving on 380, we turned onto the road that takes us to Amarillo, which is a four lane highway with a speed limit of 70, except in the small towns along the way.  As we passed through Quanah, Texas, we could read their welcoming sign which reads, "Quanah, Home of PUHA."  Now Quanah is an unusual name but PUHA?  Wanting to know more, Foxy gets out our computer, fired it up and Googled both words.  It seems that Quanah is the last major Cherokee Chief, son of an abducted white woman and a Cherokee father.   That was a bit of history we did not know about.   Now for PUHA.  It apparently has lots of meanings but my favorite is used by EMT (emergency medical technicians) when they are working with an injured individual and translates into, "Pick up and haul ass."   Other possible explanations I will leave to the interested Google user.  Happy travels.

Herb has died

Foxy's brother Herb died this morning at approximately 3:30 am.   He is now at rest and no longer in pain which is a blessing.  He left his wife Sue and two children Brett and Sherry and a grandson Sammy to whom he was especially close.  Herb also has a sister Susan and brother Jim.  He was a long time resident of Albuquerque.  He was born on his father's birthday and died on his mother's birthday.  Both Foxy and sister Susan thought he might die on their mom's birthday and this proved to be the case.   

Thank each of you for your comforting words as we go through this difficult time.   Herb appreciated the many prayers and kind thoughts as he battled his last illness.  I have no further information about services but there will be a memorial service and that information will be forth coming.

We leave for Albuquerque in the morning to be with our family.  Mercy travels.

A frappachino on a warm day

We were out running errands today when I got the chance to visit a Starbucks coffee shop at our local Kroger store.   I must admit that I am addicted to mocha frappachinos.   Foxy likes them too but prefers the low fat alternative.   I got full tilt of course.   Anyway I purchased one of both types and turned to go when the young man who had filled my order called out to me, "You know that you can order them as MLF and the other as MF."  I listened to him, thought a minute and decided to simply say thank you and walked out.

Returning to our car I gave Foxy her low fat mocha  frappachino and started in to enjoy mine as well when I remembered the conversation with the young man.   You will be pleased to know that you can order your chosen frappachino by calling it an MLF, mocha low-fat frappachino and I can order it as MF.   I mentioned that I had considered several options when I heard this from the young man but had simply thanked him and left the store.   Foxy started to laugh and appreciated the fact that I had restrained myself.   I then commented that I could order a MFF sometime but it might not be appreciated.  

Hopefully you the reader will figure this all out but if not, can send me an email and I will explain as this is to remain a family friendly blog.    Happy travels.