No, I did not take pictures. Probably should have. But, at the time, it was not funny. Kind of is now, but when I get home and get the tow bill, it won't be anymore.
We left Fredericksburg after the tribe got on the road. Supposed to be one of the best days for wildflowers. Jack and I were looking forward to driving the route and getting some great pics of the flowers and the tribe. Best intentions.
We stopped at Opa's and stocked up on German Sausages for the rest of the summer, the grocery store for ice, and the quilt shop to dig Joe out of a hole. He needed something to take home to his wife. He has kind of had a rough week, (I won't mention the fact that he kind of didn't notice a red light in Fredericksburg. I also won't mention that the rental car was totaled. And you really don't want to know that aid cars and police were involved. But, everyone was ok. Keeping the insurance companies in business.) So with that not mentioned, he really needed to take something home to his wife. Fortunately for him, and her, she and I are both quilters: AND: the quilt shops in Texas have a gorgeous series of wild flower fabrics. She is now the proud owner of a great collection of fat quarters. Joe will be quizzed next tour on what a fat quarter is: I doubt that he will remember.
We then headed out to the Jung Road and onto the route. The scenery was awesome and we caught up with Isabel on the lunch stop. Jack kind of sort of misjudged the turn to the side of the road. The truck ended up with the lift gate dug into the pavement and the back wheels off of the ground. Not going anywhere. The guys tried to put tables and rocks under the wheels for traction. No go. My mad level was off the chart: the best thing I could do was not do, or say, anything. Kevin took one look at me and decided it was time to go. Isabel quickly packed up the lunch stop and hit the road. When Dave arrived he turned around and made tracks. One hour later, with a path tramped into the flower patch we were high centered in, the tow truck, (actually a wrecker), pulled us 2 feet back onto the pavement and off we went. I really hope the road crews don't notice the holes the wrecker dug into the road to get traction to pull us out. About two hours later I was able to speak.
We hit the main roads and high tailed it to Perdinales Falls State Park. Funny the ranger at the desk remembered me! Not too many people camping in a huge yellow Penske truck. We set up camp and got to work on dinner. The tribe made it in in record time after a fabulous day of riding through the blue bonnets. Kind of like tip toeing through the tulips, only on a bike. Fortunately no one resembles Tiny Tim. Or sings like him either.
We had a great last map meeting. Awards were given out for categories including luggage, flats, age of tribe members, and the one who got lost the most. Except there were so many that got lost on this trip, no one got the privilege of the Mageline award.
Texas has an amazing history with it's food. We were fortunate this week to sample a diversity of what they have to offer. The Spanish influence, the German influence, the love of beef and all that grows in the hill country, the seafood from the coast, you can eat and eat and eat and never sample it all. We gave it a good shot at a little bit of their bounty!
We finished the night with a "clean up" dinner that included cole slaw, tossed green salad with Italian dressing, BBQ brisket, pulled pork, Opa's sausages, a hearty Texas meat chili, vegetarian chili, cheese & sour cream & grilled tortillas, and assorted pudding cakes for dessert.
All in all, it was a great week. The tribe was awesome. The staff did a great job. The weather cooperated and the flowers were fabulous. We can only hope for this good of a trip next year. Now, 5 days on the road and we will be home for two months. Time to see Scott graduate and head to the Marines. Empty nest for me.
It looks like both of the Washington trips are full! The Wine Country is one from full! Oregon has a few spots open, so it's time to sign up! This is an awesome tour and we are going to have a few culinary surprises in store! See you there!
I was supposed to go vacuum at the church but we're stuck here until the grader makes it through.Truck Chrome stacks
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