Day 8 – August 29, 2004
{Photos} Say Good Bye and
ride to Austin, Texas {Home}
We had to
leave Diamond at the motel again and she was
not happy about that but the people at the Red Roof were very nice and allowed
us to leave her there till 4 pm so
that we could spend the time with Cory.
We met him at the reception center, but since we had no car and Cory was
not allowed to ride without a helmet, we had to walk or ride the bus around the
base. We decided on the bus and waited about 15 minutes for it to show. We ask
if it was going to the BX and were told yes. Then she drove us to a deserted
part of the base and ask us to get off to change busses because it would be
about half hour before she would get to the BX and another bus would be along
in a minute that went there sooner. Well once most of the passengers had
decided we had been deserted and started walking, a bus showed up. We all
started to get on and were informed that we needed to go back where we were cause that bus was going
the other way. So we went back and a few minutes later sure enough, another bus
showed up and eventually after driving down just about every road on that side
of the base, got us to the BX. I think we could have walked in about half the
time. So we perused the BX for awhile and then enjoyed a nice lunch at the food
court. After that we decided we’d check out some of the other attraction the
base had to offer. We got up from the table and an alarm sounded. We were all
(everyone including employees) asked to leave the building. It seems this was a
fire alarm. We didn’t find out what happened, but the fire trucks showed up as we were once again
waiting for the return bus. When the bus got there, it was the same driver that
had dropped us off. He again managed to drive down just about every road on the
other side of the base making sure he hit every pot hole in the road. This time
we gave up, got off, and walked the rest of the way through our adventure on
the base. After checking out the other BX’s we headed back to the reception
center. We spent most of the rest of our time just talking and even got a
fellow airman from the same flight Cory was in to take some pictures of us and we of him and his wife.
I could not tell you his first name, but since none of them know anyone’s first
names, I can only tell you he was Merritt.
Please forgive me if I spelled it wrong. I got the feeling that this young man
would have been a good friend of Cory’s had they had enough time to get to know
one another. It gave me a good feeling to know that he was in such good
company. Then as always seems to be the case, our time had come to an end. We
said our goodbyes and rode out wondering when would see our son again and at
the same time beaming with pride over his accomplishments and choices he had
made. We got back to the motel and found Diamond sitting in the window waiting.
The maid told us she had been sitting there since we left. We packed her up and
headed down the road. As we rode under the outer
loop and left San Antonio in
the background, we could see almost the entire valley below. As we continued north on the 35, we passed a
place that you could only expect in Texas.
They has dug a huge hole in the ground next to a boat dealer and opened a water ski school. About an hour out of town we decided to check
out a place called the Loan Star Café. We
weren’t that hungry, but it looked like an interesting place and I thought I’d
rather eat now than try to locate a place after dark. I was impressed with the place and would
recommend it. However if you drink the local drink, remember what the place may
look like when you get ready to leave. The
food was great and after noticing “Bubba” was listed on the menus, wall
posters, and even the shirts, I ask Amy
who exactly is Bubba? She informed us that there is a little bit of Bubba in all
of us. I liked that sentiment and will keep it with me as I travel. We had left
Diamond attached to the bikes in the shade,
but I guess she must have been hungry too since she chewed through her leash
and proceeded to enter the café on her own. After a short reprimand, I decided
she should eat and gave her some of the Fajitas without the spices. Then I
inquired of a couple of the local constables if they knew where I might get a
replacement leash. After a quick chuckle over the incident they recommended I
try Wal-Mart. We located a replacement and an extra and got back on the road.
Wouldn’t you know it, here come the dark clouds?
Somehow we managed to steer around them, just barely, and get into Austin
just about dusk. I was able to get a couple pictures of the downtown area as we
drove through, but then we found the motel and called it quits. I am so much
more tired today than any other of the trip so far and I am not sure why. I guess
it is just that little let down from the “all the excitement is over” syndrome.
Anyway tomorrow we are headed back home with a short stop at a friend of ours
place in Denison. So if your are
out there, I’ll see you on the byways…
