Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Jackpot
We met Doc and JR at a little junction gas station outside of Lost
Maples State Park. Brian and I had gone 40 miles over 4 of the best
hills, hill country had to offer and we had just found out that the
park was booked solid because of spring break. Doc and JR were asking
us all about our journey and of course the question of where we were
staying came up. "I've got a 500 acre ranch with some guest houses if
you all are interested. " said Doc. Well of course we were interested
and of course it wasn't right around the corner. Another 25 miles, off
route, and of course another hill. We hate to pass up kindness so we
set off toward the ranch. The hill was the worst on of the day,
straight up, I did not think it was going to end or that I was going
to make it. Once to the top we did another good chunk of miles on some
rollers into the town of Medina. Here is where I find out my tires are
coming apart, litteraly coming unglued. We call Doc and we are saved
from the last 6 miles by his truck. We meet Doc's wife Jeanne and
their two grand kids and have an amazing dinner. It was another
experience we won't forget and kindness we get to give back to someone
in the future.
Maples State Park. Brian and I had gone 40 miles over 4 of the best
hills, hill country had to offer and we had just found out that the
park was booked solid because of spring break. Doc and JR were asking
us all about our journey and of course the question of where we were
staying came up. "I've got a 500 acre ranch with some guest houses if
you all are interested. " said Doc. Well of course we were interested
and of course it wasn't right around the corner. Another 25 miles, off
route, and of course another hill. We hate to pass up kindness so we
set off toward the ranch. The hill was the worst on of the day,
straight up, I did not think it was going to end or that I was going
to make it. Once to the top we did another good chunk of miles on some
rollers into the town of Medina. Here is where I find out my tires are
coming apart, litteraly coming unglued. We call Doc and we are saved
from the last 6 miles by his truck. We meet Doc's wife Jeanne and
their two grand kids and have an amazing dinner. It was another
experience we won't forget and kindness we get to give back to someone
in the future.
joe
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Well I can hardly wait to tell y'all about our Monday in the hill country, but it's late and sleep wins. Let's just say it was one for the books. Before I go catch some shut eye (notice the cowboy lingo finding its way in there?), I want to send a big Texas thank-you to Ma and Pa Norton back in Phelps, NY. It wasn't until after their son Adam and I were already best friends that we realized The Holtzs and the Nortons go way back, all the way back to Fishers, NY in fact, a small town from another time. I still remember the first time I went over to the Norton home after school, and since then Peggy, Joe, Bethany and Adam have become just like family to me. Joe has always reminded me of some concoction of Ernest Hemingway and Walt Whitman. He has a guarded glint in his eye, like a prospector who's struggling to resist the urge to tell you about his jackpot claim. You know just looking at Joe he can tell a good story, and you're right. Peggy is someone I called mom the first time I met her, she just has a comforting way. I have no idea what she looks like without a smile on her face. I have countless fond memories of time spent at the Nortons', a place (by the way) where they still string real cranberry and popcorn garland around the Christmas tree. There's a certain magic there, and I'm grateful that they've evidently sent a little of that magic our way by supporting this adventure. But more on that tomorrow...
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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