2008JeffJourney

May 5, 2008: Texas!

Long Car Ride Activities: the dreaded school

Audio Book: Mom reads, One More Valley, One More Hill, The Story of Aunt Clara Brown. (Yes Denise, it is inspiring and a tear jerker. What a testimony this woman has!)

5:15 a.m. came all too early. In anticipation of a 12-14 hour day we bleary eyed packed up the camper, urged the kids to the car carrying a juice bottle and pillow and actually pulled out of the campsite by 6:30 a.m. Who would have thought it could be done!

“I like this place,” was the comment from the back seat as we surveyed the flat landscape of Abilene surrounded by low mountains in the distance. It is different than anything like we’ve seen before, but reminds us of “the woods” where we spent many a Thanksgiving in FL. We surprised ourselves by arriving at Abilene at 4 p.m. and decided to take the AAA guide’s suggestion of eating where the locals favor – Lytle Land and Cattle Co. Everyone was pleased, esp. J who ordered a steak from the adult menu for the first time (steak order from the adult menu that is- c).

Stuffed we drove through the quaint and very eclectic town of Buffalo Gap and found our way to Abilene State Park. Already there is much pleading to bag the museum trips planned for the morning and just explore the campground. There is much fuel for the imagination here and many trails for the bikes. But Daddy must find internet and work tomorrow and we must stick to the curriculum. Tonight we close another day with a campfire and s’mores.

***Picture: In the town of Buffalo Gap

May 4, 2008: Diamonds!

Crater of Diamonds State Park, Murfreesboro, AK – beautiful wooded campground. We walked on a trail down to the Little Missouri. Wildlife was abundant: Heard a coyote and owls, saw a fox, J stepped on and killed a snake (without knowing!), and saw a fisherman with a huge catfish.

Weather: Sunny and 70’s

Audio Book: Four Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright

Our first day of getting up and on the road to meet the time allotted on the itinerary surprised us all by running fairly smoothly. We departed TN by 8:30 (not too bad!) and got to Crater of Diamonds by 2 p.m.

Enthusiasm for paying for their college education was dampened as they walked out onto the 37 acre field of hardened mud. Where in all this space was a diamond? We had all the tools – shovels, a bucket, screens, and most importantly, our eyes. On this day 7 diamonds were found but we were not one of the lucky ones (Providentially, of course). Actually L did find a teeny curious stone after the identification booth shut down so we may never know what that is. We spent an hour and half digging, sluicing, and gazing until our enthusiasm gave way and we headed back to the campsite. I had more understanding of the life of a gold miner – many searched but only a few found.

***Picture: C, A and M wash the dirt looking for diamonds.

(Status of C’s weight loss goal: Progress made with burning much wood at an evening campfire and dumping the grey and black water tanks that were filled while the camper was in the shop.)