Oklahoma then Texas – 9/12 to 9/15/2016

September 12-15, 2016

The drive from Little Rock to the Fort Smith area was around 170 miles.

We spent the last several days visiting with Uncle Claude and Aunt Gail. Uncle Claude is my father’s younger brother. He took care of my father for many years (until my dad died) and has been an absolute angel. He made it possible for me to know my father as a sober being, something I never had been able to do. The last time we visited them, he was very sick and frail and Aunt Gail was not feeling her best either.

We had such a good visit. Uncle Claude has gained weight and is doing really well. Aunt Gail is having some issues but they are dealing with it together, with love. They are quite the pair. They keep themselves busy with their dogs (children) and doctor’s appointments. They also like to go to a Golden Corral restaurant every day that is very reasonable, has huge selections, and actually better for them then cooking themselves.

We got to hear some great stories about our family history. Uncle Claude was telling one story about when they moved from Oklahoma to California in 1934 and how they packed everything in, on, above and under the car that could be loaded or tied on in anyway. At that point Michael asked if he had ever read John Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath.” Uncle Claude said something like: “Hell, I don’t need to read the book, I lived it.”  We all laughed. He’s a character but he gets it honestly, especially after hearing some of the old family stories of shootings, fights, desperate times and such. We wish we had recorded him but…we’re old. We did get to hear him play the harmonica again, which he loves and we loved.

Sweet couple, Aunt Gail and Uncle Claude at the Golden Corral. They are lots of fun.
Sweet couple, Aunt Gail and Uncle Claude at the Golden Corral. They are lots of fun.
Grumpy with Uncle Claude and Aunt Gail.
Grumpy with Uncle Claude and Aunt Gail.
Their lovely home.
Their lovely home.

We left Thursday morning and headed for Paris, Texas, about 200 miles away. We got a Priceline hotel – Holiday Inn, for $70.01. We wanted an easy drive day and I got to go to Paris! They even have an Eiffel Tower (with a cowboy hat). Too fun. Next to the Paris Eiffel Tower, there is a lovely Veteran’s Memorial Park.  It looks like it isn’t finished yet but it will be spectacular.  There are some family memorials that show several members who have died in different wars over the years.  Very interesting.

I was glad pretty woman was driving.
I was glad pretty woman was driving.
Miserable rain.
Miserable rain.
Then suddenly, blue skies.
Then suddenly, blue skies.
Entering the great state of Texas.
Entering the great state of Texas.
Her second trip to an Eiffel Tower.
Her second trip to an Eiffel Tower.
Touching memorial.
Touching memorial.
A Veterans name on every brick.
A Veteran’s name on every brick.
The memorial sidewalks go quite a ways.
The memorial sidewalks go quite a ways.
Very informative reminders of what the wars were about.
Very informative reminders of what the wars were about.
Texas was on the Confederate side.
Texas was on the Confederate side.
This seems an unfinished memorial, as if they ran out of funds.
This seems an unfinished memorial, as if they ran out of funds.

Getting to Paris was an adventure as there was some serious rain coming down to where we had to slow down several times, then the sky would open up and be blue and beautiful. Bizarre weather here.

Our home for the night. Had good WiFi and I was grateful.
Our home for the night. Had good WiFi and I was grateful.
Usual desk, frig, micro, TV and bench.
Usual desk, frig, micro, TV and bench.
Nice bathroom and Edie enjoyed a bath.
Nice bathroom and Edie enjoyed a bath.
Pretty woman didn't have me snoring directly in her ear tonight.
Pretty woman didn’t have me snoring directly in her ear tonight.

That was our time. Hope yours was great!