Could I convince you it was writer's block?

I guess I cannot convince you I have had writer's block. The obvious reason for my not keeping up here for the past ten days is laziness. This lifestyle tends to promote putting off the things I thought I would do today.

Actually, the adventure back to Florida across the country has been so amazing, I just sat back and soaked it all in. I suppose some would assume three days crossing the dry barren lands of America's Southwest would be an endless drag. Not so! Hardly a mile went by that both Dennis and I did not point out another view of amazing landscapes, sunrises and sunsets, and animal life. Twice in Texas we save a pair of wild boars just grazing along the interstate. We took Interstate 10 East on most of our journey. It is a breathtaking trip.


We began with a quick overnight of parking all 60 feet of our rig and tow car in front of the Phoenix home of my cousin Sandy and her husband, Len. They live in a beautiful location, and we spent the evening with their (Len's) home cooking and Sandy's frozen Margaritas, laughing and sharing memories like we always do. Sandy and I were "kissing" cousins in our early, early years. We have a special bond, and are as close as cousins could be.


Len posited his theory (which at that part of the evening was handed out more as the absolute truth) that the earth is a closed ecosystem and every single mineral, particle or whatever that is here today has always been here. Since then, as often as I refuse to go there, my mind still stalls out in complete frustration, knowing there is a flaw in his argument, but completely unable to debunk it. Any and all smarter than me out there, please help!!


From here we headed for Austin, Texas. We were blessed with an evening with Kathleen's son Andy and his girlfriend, Bri. Even though we were almost twice their ages, Dennis and I had a wonderful time. This completes the first round of my exploration and adventure with a part of my lost family. Dennis and I met Dawn and Dave, Ildy and Tim (and their precious baby Clover), and Lisi (and her exciting new house). It has all been a thrill and just keeps on going. Regrets of a lost shared past are set aside by anticipation and excitement for our shared futures.


REMINDER: MY MOTHER, DOLORES, DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PART OF OUR ADVENTURE. PLEASE DO NOT MENTION IT IN ANY WAY TO HER. She does not have a computer and cannot get the blog, so she does not read it. I am unable to edit out this part of my life anymore. That was done for me by others for far too long. Should any of you have any questions about this, please contact me directly. I of course apologize if this upsets any of you. That is not my intent. Thanks so much!!


We left Andy and Bri and met up with my sister Melodie and her husband David in eastern Texas or western Louisiana, not sure which. They have a motor coach of their own. All I can advise those of you who for years complained about the length of the trip across Nebraska . . . Try Texas from East to West. The land mass of that state is truly mind boggling--more than enough space for George W to be lost in and never heard from for the rest of his life (I can only hope and pray).


Somewhere in here we spent a night at a Casino. We ate crayfish prepared a number of ways (a major and unusual culinary adventure for this kid from Iowa!). The food was actually good, but so rich we all felt a bit queezy the next day (that is the polite way to explain hours sitting in our respective bathrooms).


We spent our next night together along the road in the Sam Houston Jones State Park, Louisiana. There is one observation that might get me in some trouble with our friends from Louisiana. I observed a noticeable and stark difference between the care people take of their property in Texas and Louisiana. I know, this was one of my grossest of generalizations yet (and that is saying something), but Texans appear (to me at least) to have a special pride in their state. It was clean; the roads were excellent; and the people generally took very good care of their property, even the obviously most poor (of which there were many along Interstate 10). It appears to not have anything to do with race, economic status or nationality. Texas just seems to have its stuff together more than most in the South.

We headed for New Orleans. We landed there on Melodie's birthday. We also arrived on the first day of Mardis Gras which we had not planned. The festivities were just getting cranked up the two nights we were there, but we got around, ate our seafood, drank our share of that awful red rum disaster, the Hurricane, and even saw a couple parades. We had a blast, but I have no need to make Mardis Gras an annual event. We froze our butts off a couple nights on Bourbon street. As a recent refugee of the frozen north, Melodie was not pleased.


I am told I challenged the credentials of a couple priests and the huge, mostly exposed breasts of their companions. After being told the women were not hookers but the sisters of the priests, Melodie jerked me into the crowd, and (I am convinced) said 12 Hail Mary's for me, and she is not even Catholic!!). I was heard to holler back, "Then you must be Episcopalians.

I am also told I continually seemed to stumble into the horses of the mounted police, asking the horse (while the policeman sat on top), "Is it true that you are hung like a horse?" I am convinced the horses smiled at me. Dennis was heard to exclaim, "Tom, if you are going to start drinking again, you really are going to have to learn to hold your liquor!" We shall see.

We traveled next to an amazing Florida state park then on to Disney World's Fort Wilderness Campground. I will hit the Florida adventures in my next installment. I am still recovering from those damn Hurricane drinks. David is forbidden to ever buy me a drink again.