Driving Miss Daisy: Texas February 2023

[Sir Henry]

We left Ogema early today and made it 150 miles after stopping for a latte to be seen off and lunch at Norma’s (mummy) son’s home. We are now spending the night at her daughter’s home. They accept me as being their brother because I take such good care of mummy.

We will be heading to Texas for two weeks to visit relatives. The new van is working out great and the three of us (mummy, sis and me) will head out early in the morning. We should be at our destination on Saturday.

On Friday it will be -1F in Ogema and in the 70’s in Texas.

[Cofisher]

Snowbirds exist for a real reason. Enjoy your adventure.

[daytime dave]

I hope the three of you have safe travels and a great trip.

[Hatchdog]

“On Friday it will be -1F in Ogema and in the 70’s in Texas.“

That sums it up very well. Safe travels.

My neighbor who is wintering in San Diego called my yesterday to tell me he was running his A/C in his Jeep.

[Sir Henry]

We made it just over halfway with 730 miles to go. I drove 500 miles yesterday and will drive 400 today and the final 330 on Saturday.

Then it’s four days of living off relatives and then heading north 200 miles to visit other relatives.

The Transit van is a dream to drive. It has all of the fancy electronics that my Subaru has. So far I’m getting 20.4 mpg at 60 mph. It’s listed as 18 for the AWD and 19 for the RWD.

[Sir Henry]

Yesterday I drove about 450 miles and ended up in Red Oak, TX which is just south of Dallas. Only 250 miles to go today.

We are having a blast. Mummy is 97 and is really fun to be around. Linda is like a sister to me. Moving to Wisconsin and meeting the people I’ve met has been one of the best things that could’ve happened to me.

[Sir Henry]

We are at our first destination. It’s great to just relax. I’m staying in the ‘tree house’. It’s a large bedroom with kitchenette on stilts.

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It overlooks a good fly fishing river.

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The home is an Italian design finished in Spanish materials. This view is from the treehouse overlooking the roof of the main house.

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[Cofisher]

Gene, it looks like you are enjoying yourself. I am happy you found some companionship. Country folk are the heart of America. Be safe brother.

[BigAl52]

I know some city folk who have alot of heart in America. Just sayin

[Hatchdog]

Treehouse ? More like a Treemansion!

That’s a real nice place.

[Sir Henry]

Treehouse ? More like a Treemansion!

That’s a real nice place.

The main house although only 2,400 sf was finished very elegant.

We visited a local park about a flood that occurred here. This house was washed away completely and rebuilt.

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[Sir Henry]

We went to Gruene Hall in Gruene, TX tonight.

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It’s an old dance hall from 1878.
https://gruenehall.com/

Bret Graham has been playing here every Monday night since the mid 1980’s.

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A lot of famous musicians have played here. I recognized almost everyone.

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Some have been playing here a long time.

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[Cofisher]

What a taste of America.

[Sir Henry]

I got 20.1 mpg going down and so far in the 208 miles driven yesterday I got 23.3 which is outstanding in a vehicle so big. Of course I was only doing 62 mph and didn’t follow very close so I seldom braked. This AWD van is rated at 18 mpg at 75 mph.

[Shakey Jake]

Gene, that dance hall was first built in 1878 Henry Gruene. It's got a lot of storied history.

https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/gruene-hall
Jake

[Sir Henry]

Gene, that dance hall was first built in 1878 Henry Gruene. It's got a lot of storied history.

https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/gruene-hall
Jake

The locals pronounce it green although a few Germans will correct them and say gru-in.

[Sir Henry]

Last night we watched the mothers play the girls on a charter high school basketball team. The people we are visiting have a 13 year old 8th grader and she is by far the best person on the team of mostly juniors and seniors.

She is their leading scorer and made 21 of their 29 points. The moms were overpowered by the girls and only scored 7 points.

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Here her mom tries to defend her…….

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…but daughter was left, faked right and then shot left.

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She steals the ball from mom and runs down court

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She easily out maneuvers even the best mom on the court.

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She plays center on the high school team but guard on an all city team of again older girls.