Day 4 bulletin

We will post again later about today, but decided to tell you we are currently in Marathon, heading for Big Bend tonight. We will probably stay at something like Stillwell's Store (& RV park) on the north side.

This announcement is for those who think you need to know where we are for emergencies...since we don't have a cell phone!

Day 3—A loser and a winner...

When leaving the Abilene State Park, we saw eight deer (3 groups) at around 10 AM! We had also seen at least three in the dark going to the campground the night before.

We first went to Buffalo Gap, Texas; the nearest community (population 400-some). They have a replica village that illustrates the history of west Texas from about 1875 to 1950. There are buildings from three different eras in that timespan with displays. I guess they often have living history demonstrations during the summer and/or weekends.

It's really different vacationing at the end of October. For one thing, you don't see families touring like we usually do! Most of the few (!) other travelers we see are either our age or older. At the IHOP on day 2, I could have ordered off the Seniors menu! (Age 55 and up!)

The Buffalo Gap Village was quite peaceful and we were the first customers of the day. However, some other folks came along later, while we were still there.

Down I-20 we go...we lunched in a picnic area along the way. We have only eaten out once (IHOP) so far; actually, we've eaten brisket sandwiches for most of our meals! We stopped at the Salvation Army store in Midland to see if we could find a blanket to add to the ones we have. We were successful and purchased a promising item for $1.61! We saw lots of furniture Chris wanted to buy.

Time to go loser visiting! We drove to 1412 Ohio Street in Midland and stopped at one of the childhood homes of President George W. Bush. We arrived right at closing time, so we didn't get to do the tour. But we peeked in some windows and read a few of the outside descriptive signs. The house actually looks like a nice family home with a sizable backyard for kids.

They carelessly left the dog house unlocked so any bum could wander in.

Then we knew Ben and Jason would like us to visit some winners...so we headed for Odessa and, after going grocery shopping in a great store (HEB), we drove by.....

Permian High School!

It appears that there was a game that was going to be played, many cars were arriving and the parking lot was filling fast.

Drove on the Monahans Sandhills State Park outside of Monahans. Mitchum kids, you would really like this! Our campsite is actually in the side of a sand dune (the sand is spilling onto the floor of the ramada). The campground is small; about 25 sites. There are maybe four other groups camped here tonight.

In the morning, we think we will rent some sand boards or discs to slide down the slopes in the park. I THINK I can still do something like that without seriously injuring myself! (K)