The Big Move - Part 4
Who knew sweet little Dalhart Texas would forever hold some fond memories for us.
We had just gotten onto the main road out of town when both of us noticed Alan’s rear passenger tire was seriously low. He tried blowing it up (two gas stations later) and noticed it would not hold air. He was able to find a 24-hour semi-truck service guy that would see if he could fix it (on a Sunday morning even). We followed him to his service building on the outskirts of town and waited while he fixed the valve stem. After nearly two hours, a bunch of swearing (by the service guy) and forklift leveraging, the valve stem was fixed, and we could get on the road. While we waited, I walked Toby around but had to leave the car running so Nathaniel and the cats stayed cool (it was a long morning, but thankfully not too hot). The amazing part was when Alan called the owner of the company to pay and he would not accept payment. The service guy also refused a tip! God Bless Dalhart Texas and their kind hearts!
Obviously, at this point, we were not going to make Kansas City MO in time for dinner. Our friends suggested we cancel our scheduled hotel and find another hotel in Olathe Kansas (Thank you Kelly). They would meet us at the Cracker Barrel the next morning and it shaved a little time off our night so we could get some rest. As it worked out, we didn’t realize the hotel location we had booked and then cancelled was where recent homicides occurred (near hotel) and we dodged a bullet (figuratively or actually). The Lord kept us protected!
This trip was through another panhandle, but this time Oklahoma (so fast I missed the beginning and end) then through Kansas. A good portion of the trip was through Kansas with gorgeous green countryside and rolling hills. Lots of farmland and tree lined freeways, with barns dotting the landscape.
Somewhere in Kansas
Even though it was so enjoyable, I was getting really sleepy on this leg of the journey. Nathaniel slept a good part of the trip, so he was not much help. I called Alan and asked him to talk to me so I wouldn’t drive off the road. We yammered away for hours, which was so nice, as we love to travel together and sorely missed that with this trip.
My view for most of the trip… I’d follow this man anywhere!!
Amazingly, the cats were quiet most of the day without drugs, as was Toby. Nathaniel felt a lot better about the day, and we all got a good night’s rest. Breakfast at Cracker Barrel was a first for Nathaniel and I, though the menagerie toughed it in the room until we got back – it was the only hotel that didn’t restrict us from leaving the pets in the room without adult/human supervision. The food was good and the company was such an enjoyable respite from such a brutal trip. I had no idea Cracker Barrel was a retail wonderland (yes, there may have been a non-food purchase).
We were almost there… and had one more partial-day of travel to get to our temporary resting place until our new home had the interior painted. We and our pets could hardly wait, but we kept reminding ourselves of the best reason for our trip was the kids and grandchildren.
Sweetest part of our new destination!
Thank you for sharing this journey with me. It’s been so emotional, but for all the right reasons. We love our beautiful new neighborhood and the neighbors have been a delight… so welcoming and helpful!
The best part of our trip is that we have all the kids an easy distance from us and we get to be there to watch and be a part of the grandchildren’s milestones.
If you want to see more about our new home, visit my Wild Violets FB page, as I have been uploading the beauty of the neighborhood we live in, the changing of the seasons, and sharing my new craft space!
