Monday, March 23, 2009

The Travelers Are Home

We just got back in town last night after five days in Willis, TX to see Tina's parents. Amanda finds the place to be fascinating. Normal people succumb to boredom in about 45 minutes. One of the only things Willis has going for it is cheap liquor, of which I took advantage of out of necessity. Since I stopped drinking beer at the beginning of this year I find liquor to be a good substitute.

On the upside, Amanda had a nice time just hanging out with her grandparents. They went to an open mike gospel night where her grandfather sang a solo and then in his group. Also, the MC of the night had the entire congregation sing Happy Birthday to Amanda. She loved it.

Another bonus to this trip over years past is Amanda now travels well. Up until about a year ago being in the car with her for more than 30 minutes would fall under the heading of cruel and unusual punishment. I remember once, about seven years ago, Amanda cried from my driveway to her grandparents driveway. That is a total of 270 miles. She did stop crying when we stopped to eat in Marshall. As soon as we were back in the car she fired it right back up. Amanda wasn't much for the concept of time. She wanted to be there right then and right now and she just didn't care who she was killing.

Another time we were coming back from Little Rock, AR after a trip to Arkansas Children's Hospital. We had a 1999 GMC Yukon and Amanda was screaming like a torture victim. I was steadily going faster until I had the big SUV going just over 90 mph. Normally Tina would say something, but she was wanting home as much as me. And then we were passed by a Suburban. Tina just popped off and said, "He must have twins." Still the funniest thing I have ever heard under those circumstances.

But this time, as the last time, Amanda traveled perfectly. She sat in the front seat with Tina on the drive down until we got to Nacogdoches where we ate lunch. Afterwards she got in the back with Tina while I drove the rest of the way. On the drive home she rode in the front with me until Lufkin and then stayed up front with Tina. An upside to driving a Lincoln MKZ is it is smooth enough to read in the backseat while going down US 59. I read a lot of Water For Elephants while Tina and Amanda talked about "girl stuff." Leg shaving is the new thing for Amanda.

Anyway, the drive is done, we are home and tonight is bowling night (see earlier posts).

No comments: