Kelly's SC to CA Road Trip

Amarillo, TX

Finally got to catch the top news on the Today show this morning. I’ve shied away from taking a cruise because I fear getting sick on a ship and not having a quick way home. And, I remember learning about hantavirus when I took a microbiology class at The Citadel, part of my MAT degree. I don’t remember much, certainly not the virus’ high mortality rate, but just the connection between the virus and airborne rodent droppings (in particular, deer mice common in the SW desert). Scary stuff.

I explored historic Santa Fe this morning. Like Charleston, the streets are narrow, parking is limited, and one-way streets are common. My destination was the Georgia O’Keefe Museum. I drove in circles for several minutes looking for a place to park, then turned a corner, and there were 3 spots on the side of the road near the museum.

A word about parking on this trip: I’ve had good fortune all along the way. It started in Waco with someone pulling out of a space right in front of Magnolia. Open spaces have appeared in just about every place I’ve visited. I was worried about parking at the big library in downtown San Diego, but their underground lot is easy to get to and has lots of spaces. As MaryBeth would say, “Lucky Pierre!”

Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings are so recognizable and detailed. Did you know she painted flowers and leaves large so that busy New Yorkers would stop to study them? I also found out today that Georgia and I share a birthday – the gift shop clerk told me the museum serves cupcakes to visitors every November 15. And she taught at Columbia College in SC in 1915; it was during her time in Columbia that her work was first gained national recognition.

I headed out from Santa Fe to today’s destination: Amarillo, TX. Along the way I had phone calls from Kari and Carolyn. I was glad to see I-40 about halfway here after all those 2-lane roads on the past few days.

I want to share more about the weekly podcast I listen to – not to recommend it, though. This 20-minute podcast, led by a pastor’s wife in Beaufort, never fails to disappoint me, but I’m drawn to it for some reason. The podcaster basically repeats the same lesson each week – older women must avoid silly, foolish, and wanton activities (like book clubs and girlfriend lunches) and focus exclusively on helping young women – not by preparing meals or even praying, but by changing their baby’s diapers and babysitting. It’s crazy to me, and I talk to Carolyn about it a lot; we agree that the podcaster is a little “off.” I typically balance this podcast with Pastor AJ’s weekly broadcast whereI hear the message that comforts me. Pastor AJ usually repeats the two lessons that Jesus gave us: 1) love God and 2) love one another.

Kari texted me and recommended trying The Big Texan restaurant in Amarillo. It’s right next door to the Hampton Inn! It’s crowded and noisy – the kind of place that tour buses visit. The service is quick and friendly. The steaks and BBQ on the menu look like enormous portions, so I tried the chicken strips. They were tender and came with a delicious pineapple coleslaw and creamed corn with peppers.

I was texting Pastor AJ from the restaurant and she asked me to pick up some pecans. They have a large gift shop but haven’t sold those pecans in years, apparently.

I gassed up and will head out tomorrow for Fort Smith, AR. Got a picture and text from Margaret – she won her first Mahjong game! She’s hooked now.

Ailment book recommendation: Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green.