Vacation

Friday March 11th Jon and I left on vacation with Vikki and Larry Freberg (kids God parents and our best friends) for a driving vacation. This was the first time in nearly 22 years that I have been away from the kids for more than a long weekend. Jamie stayed with Marj (Larry's momma and adopted Grandma), and the boys kept care of the house and animals. Our trip took place in the converted city bus that Larry and his Dad built. Here is a picture of Jon and Larry standing next to "Big Red". The guys had a plan on where we were going, Vikki and I were along for the ride and relaxation. Our first stop was in Durant Ok at the Choctaw casino. We spent the night in the parking lot! Then we headed into New Mexico. Our goal was to reach Albuquerque, so the guys could ride the Sandia Peak Tram. We tried to drive along as much of the old Rt 66 as we could. I have to admit though, that drive was depressing. So many abandoned buildings and homes. 
 There were many tourist traps along the way. I think the one I enjoyed the most was the Devil's Rope Museum I never imagined there were that many different types of barbed wire! Another treasure we found was the Fire and Ice Caves in Bandera. This is where it became very obvious that I was suffering from altitude sickness. I ended up sitting and waiting on a rough hewn bench while the others made the climb. Larry was quite concerned about leaving me. He showed me how to draw an arrow in the gravel with my toe in case I went back to the store. So they would know I had moved on and not been eaten by a bear, he is quite the jokester. About 5 minutes later my breathing had returned to normal and I could hear more than just myself gasping for air. The bird song was beautiful! I was sitting facing the way they would be returning when the bird song stopped...and I could hear something large scrunching up the trail behind me. All I could think of was Bear, because of Larry of course! I wasn't about to turn around and look, so I closed my eyes and kept as still as I could pretending I was imagining it all. The footsteps came closer, and soon I could hear a huffing puffing sound. I squinted my eyes open, thinking if it was a bear at least I would see what was about to eat me! Then the creature ran right up beside me and laid it's big shaggy head in my lap! I about wet myself, but was extremely happy to discover it was only a very friendly very large dog!
While in  Albuquerque we visited the Sandia Resort Casino I lost and Jon won, so we broke even, lol.  The guys got their Tram ride, right at sunset. Vikki and I stayed below. 

 The next leg of our trip was to Durango Colorado. We rode the train! Now that was fun! Such amazing scenery! The weather was beautiful. Here is a picture of me at the turn around point. You can see I look a bit peaked, still having problems breathing. One of the highlights of this bit was Larry walking into the ladies bathroom by mistake, it almost made up for his bear comments. Jon cooked us all a wonderful steak dinner and we discussed where to drive next. Vikki and I were tired and longing for our own beds at home, but the guys were still full of energy and ready to go. 
 The next morning we headed to the Great Sand Dune National Park. Guess what they had? Signs all over warning about Bears! We found a perfect camping site for the bus. Larry and Jon walked out onto the dunes. Us silly Texas folk couldn't stop ooohing and aaahing over the beauty of the dunes and mountains. We had hoped the sky would be clear for star gazing that evening, but at least the full moon was able to break through from time to time. We left the blinds up on the bus so we could watch out during the night. Vikki woke up in the morning to find a herd of deer surrounding the bus, she woke Larry who snuck outside and took pictures! Jon and I slept through that part, lol. Much to the guys dismay it was now time to head home to Texas. We were tired and running out of clean clothes. Larry wanted to end our journey with a BANG so he chose to drive through Wolf Creek Pass, in a bus mind you, now that was without a doubt the most frightening thing I have even done in my entire life! Beautiful. awe inspiring and nerve wracking all at the same time. After that excitement we drove through the Comanche National Grasslands heading back south. We were the only people on the road, it was a bit eerie. So open and desolate, I bet it looks a lot different in the spring or summer. We reentered Texas on Friday morning. Estimated time of arrival back home, 2am Saturday morning if we kept driving. You tend to forget just how big Texas is. Larry and Jon were determined to keep driving. Vikki and I of course fell asleep :) We didn't make it home though, Larry decided we needed one last hurrah and turned the bus back north to Oklahoma. He twisted our arms and forced Vikki and I to go to Choctaw again! Can you imagine that? LOL, we had a blast and played till dawn. Then it really was time to go home. We were ready. All in all it was a terrific time. You wouldn't think four people could live in a forty foot box for 9 days and still come out in good spirits, and closer friends! I wonder what the guys will dream up for next year?