Howdy ya’ll from the great State of Texas. The land of open skies, George W, and continued BIG southern hospitality. We ran in on STEPH’S BIRTHDAY under sunny skies and BIG temperatures. 82 degrees welcomed us, as did Michelle and her husband Michael, owners of a turn of the century Bed & Breakfast called Madison House in Orange, just across the State line into this great state.
Michelle had received the panicked call from me the day before while Steph was “freshening” up between runs (another 4 day marathon without showers folks). I am not seeing many establishments where a guy would find an ice cream cake for a gal’s birthday. Note, I cooked bad eggs for her birthday breakfast and this was Steph’s only wish for her birthday, a chocolate ice cream cake. So, Michelle the angel said, “no problem, and would ya’ll mind if we had a dinner in ya’lls honor?” Would we mind? Are you kidding me?!! I hugged her through the terrible cell connection.
So, the rest is history as they say because not only did Michelle and Michael offer an incredible night to clean up (Jacuzzi tub for Steph) and comfortable sleep. They also cooked up a feast of fish and invited an assortment of friends and neighbours over to her Mom’s house (see photos) to welcome us in, again, like we were old friends. What a way to enter Texas. Michelle’s Mom and her aunt have transformed their house (another former BnB) into the place to gather, complete with outdoor Mexican fire pit, long table with more than 3 people (unlike the RV) worth of room and a meal with chocolate ice cream cake that Steph, Simon and I will never forget. Simon even made a new friend in Lilly, Michelle and Michael’s daughter, who adopted him as her BFF. Even their newest addition, Maxwell waved for photo ops!
Thank you Michelle and Michael, for making our 1st day in Texas so memorable. We instantly knew why we’d run so far, for so long, to get here and experience what everyone’s been talking about for so long now. Texas is not only big (we’ll be 24 running days through) but big on hospitality too!
Day 2 in Texas brought another pick our way along the “not so good for running” US Route 90 amid much mud, construction from Hurricane Ike and a full freeway not more than 30 feet away. More adventures in Run For One Planet action.
Simon plotted a better route after much complaining from yours truly and we ended up on Old Highway 90 that was waaaay better. We even met a really cool young at heart 80 lady named Ruth and her best friend, Betty the dog. Ruth gave us a huge hug after we told her what we were doing out here running. As well, she told us a poem of her youth called, “TREES” which spoke of how trees are the creators making and protectors of the Earth. I’ll find it and post here.
After meeting Ruth, we met another friend from the night before, Andy, who was at Michelle’s dinner. He had come out on the highway to try and see us in action and invite us for supper, after we said how much we enjoyed dinner with everyone the night before! He called his wife Donna, and we were on! We completed our day and then spent another memory-making night with Andy and Donna, as well as, they’re 2 kids and their spouses.
Cat fish and other native to Texas delicacies were shared around Andy and Donna’s grrrreat big table, along with lively and entertaining conversations had by all. It’s heartwarming to keep sharing in the lives of people who are inspired by our endeavor and completes a circle to be welcomed into theirs.
So after a long breakfast around their table, we bid adieu to some more friends on this incredible Run For One Planet highway.