Houston to Kilgore

We arrived in Houston about six hours late. We had reserved a car from National Car Rental to go to Kilgore, Brenham, Palestine and back to Houston.

We chased storms from El Paso to Houston, only seeing the water that the rain had left. Being Arizona boys, we wanted to see rain. When we left Houston, the rain followed us all the way to Kilgore, which is about 200 miles from Houston.

Thank the Lord for cell phones. I was able to keep my sister, Loleen, apprised of our whereabouts. We reached Kilgore around 4:00 p.m. We sat and talked with Loleen until dinner time. Bob and I helped her and Cindy cook tacos. After dinner, we watched the finals of Dancing With The Stars and American Idol. Our favorite, Apollo, won Dancing With The Stars. Tonight, May 23, we will find out if our favorite, Jordin Sparks from Glendale, Arizona, wins American Idol. (Later note: she won.)

Loleen's house never lacks visitors, John, Lucy and Candi, stopped by to say, "Hello." Darla was in and out of the house. She brought her son, Jonathon, with her. Joey and Cindy now live with Loleen. Joey will be staying with his father while Bob and I are visiting. Thank you Joey.

On Wednesday morning, Angie, Jack, Cassidy and Trey came to visit. Darla was back again. She is in the midst of divorcing her husband. I go to the Randolph C. Watson Library on Kilgore College's campus to use their wireless Internet connection, which is free. I took my laptop which has the ability to connect with wireless connections. I checked my emails several times during my stay in Kilgore. Across the street from the library is the museum of the famous Kilgore Rangerettes.

During the day, Bob and I run several errands, we shop at Brookshire's to buy ingredients for Bob's potato salad. Loleen had requested his potato salad. She had eaten it previously and raved about it. Bob wants to make it on Thursday; let it sit overnight in the refrigerator to infuse the flavors; and serve it on Friday night at Joey's graduation party.

Wednesday night is enchilada night at Cancun Dave's. Bob and I treated Carl, Jr. and his family, Cindy, Joey, and Loleen to enchiladas, beans and rice. When I am in Kilgore on a Wednesday night, it is a tradition to eat enchiladas at Cancun Dave's.

On Thursday, we go to Joey's graduation. Loleen had to take her wheelchair because she is unable to walk very far due to her knee replacement. It was a fun evening. Joey's last name is White and the diplomas were awarded in alphabetical order. He was one of the last to receive his diploma. Candi, my nephew John's daughter, plays in the band so it was necessary for her to go. She graduates next year.

Swearing Off the Sunset Limited

Amtrak does not stop in Phoenix anymore. If you want to ride the train, one must catch Amtrak at Maricopa, AZ, which is about thirty miles from Tempe or at Flagstaff, which is about 160 miles away. Since Bob and I are headed for Texas, we catch the Sunset Limited line in Maricopa.

Harrah's, a casino in Maricopa, will allow you to leave your car on their parking lot for nothing, but for five dollars each day, the valets will watch it. We opted for the five dollar deal.

I swore I would never ride the Sunset Limited again. The line is usually late because Union Pacific, the owner of the tracks, disregards their lease with Amtrak. By the time the train reaches Maricopa, it is running about 3 ½ hours late.

Bob and I rented a roomette, which is a small room with two seats that convert into a bed. Another bed folds down from the ceiling. Bob slept in the upper bunk the first night. He had a hard time sleeping because of his claustrophobia. I tried to sleep in the top bunk the second night but had difficulty sleeping too. We decided to undo the bottom bunk and sleep in the seats. It was uncomfortable We don’t think we will get a roomette again since neither of us care to sleep in the top bunk. The coach fare is less expensive.

The main reason for getting a roomette is that meals are included. But we feel obligated to eat. Dessert comes with lunch and dinner. It is difficult to decline dessert when it comes with the meal. I usually gain weight when I eat three full meals each day.

The fun thing about eating the meals is that you share a table with other people. We met a 78 year old lady who is an evangelist. She knew many of the famous ministers that my Dad knew.

Riding the train, allows you to see the beautiful scenery that you may not be able to see from an airplane or driving a car. Much of the terrain between Maricopa and East Texas is desert. But some of the spectacular sights are crossing over the Rio Grande and Pecos rivers. Near the rivers is a dam called, Amistad Reservoir, It is a reservoir on the Rio Grande at its confluence with the Devils River 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Del Rio, Texas, USA. Unfortunately, the time of day we crossed these sights was not conducive to picture-taking.

Other sights to behold are the sunsets and sunrises.






By the time we reach Houston, the train was running about six hours late. I called National Car Rental to notify them of our late arrival. The reason Bob and I decided to come to Houston was that I had not seen Houston in many years and Bob had never seen it.

Houston is the largest city in the state of Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States. As of the 2005 U.S. Census estimate, it had a population of more than 2 million. The city covers more than 600 square miles. Houston is the county seat of Harris County and part of the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. with a population of more than 5.5 million.

Phoenix Zoo

Today, I was an alternate for my friend, Jim Beaton, to tour the Phoenix Zoo. He belongs to the Tempe Diplomats who tour various businesses throughout each year.

The Phoenix Zoo, opened in 1962, is the largest non-profit zoo in the United States. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the zoo operates on 125 acres of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride.

The zoo has approximately 1,400 animals on display, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of walking trails, and other attractions. It was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the famous Maytag family.

Phoenix Zoo Website