April 28, 2008 - Leaving San Antonio heading to Ft Stockton
We are up at 7:30, start putting the decals on the trailer and head west! First stop - IHOP! The waitress was great - didn't even need to write our orders down and the food was yummy! We shared stories about Travis and Elliott and realized all the signs that are truly out there that our loved ones are still with us somehow. How Elliott always had "magic" (candy) in his pocket for the children. How the grandchildren could see him that were born after he died. How Travis has been with me every day by the times on the clock or how God was preparing us for his death weeks and months before he died. Our loved ones are all around us and sharing our stories with each other put smiles on our faces. Before leaving IHOP we met Ryan, Jesse Diaz, and Tara Frederick. Ryan is 2 years old and such a cutie pie! Dan and I gave him a stuffed animal and took a few pictures and went on our way. Back on the road, Kevin and I worked on the blog again and Dan took off on the Honda. He seemed to enjoy his time riding but after about 100 miles, he was pretty pooped. Kevin took over from there. I drove Kevin's truck (man, you are brave letting me drive your truck - you must not have seen my driving record yet!) while Dan relaxed for a bit. Dan seems to be a very cool guy and hearing the passion in his voice about donation is so inspiring. Over the past 5 years, Dan has donated almost 4 gallons of his O+ blood. WOW! Now that's volunteering! Kevin is now tired and Dan is ready to get back on the saddle of the Honda. This time with a passenger - ME! The weather is beautiful, the sun is shining and dirt and tumble weeds all around us! This side of Texas is pretty flat with a few dirt table tops here and there. While on the bike, I have time to take pictures, enjoy the breeze, look at the windmills and the oil thingies (Guys, you know what I'm talking about) and time to think. To think about how lucky I am to be on this journey promoting organ and tissue donation in memory of Travis , think about how Taylor and Scott would love to be on this trip right now and how I am missing everyone that I love back home (you know who you are!) While riding the bike, we pass a vehicle carrying a cute dog with his head sticking out the window! We now know how he feels and why dogs stick their heads out the window! This trip is full of emotions and the people we have met along the way have supported us in some way or another.Â
We finally arrive in Ft. Stockton; population 7500! That's almost as big as Breaux Bridge. The hotel is in Comanche Springs and we are all pretty hungry and tired (no poker tonight guys). Before heading out to find dinner, we want to make sure all the rooms are securely shut. "hey Brian, John, you left your door open. O my bad, your door is shut with a 2 inch gap!" ha ha ha.
We take a quick trip around the town and they show me the famous Motel 6 that they stayed at a few days back. We have many options to choose from for dinner (sonic, McD's, K-Bobs). K-Bob gets our business. The food is pretty good but no dessert this time. Before heading back to the hotel, we make a quick stop at the local Wal-mart. We grab a few snacks, toiletries, and head back. We all retire back to our own rooms and relax. Tomorrow we are picking up Chris Klug in El Paso so a few more hours and miles on the road.
Good night, guys and see you outside at 7:15 a.m.
Sincerely,
She Said
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