Fort Davis, Texas, December 2019

It was a long 7hr, 475 mile drive from Albuquerque to Victoria's front door, located outside Fort Davis (on White Tail). A long previous day + an over indulgence of spirits + an early rise and departure had me feeling tired and sleepy during the first part of the trip, but wide awake by the time I gassed up in El Paso. It was cold outside, in the 20s, but I was toasty inside the Toyota van (everything works!). Satellite radio, which in my estimation is required by all travelers, served me very well. Today, Congress was going to vote to impeach the monter trump, so the hearing was on the radio, wall to wall for over 10 hrs.

I tuned in, on and off during the entire trip. Both parties took turns at the mic where they each had one minute to state their case. I'd listen to the Democrat, but when it was the republican's turn, I'd mute the radio. On the rare occasion when I did hear a repub babble (and it was always by accident) it was excruciating. Trump boot lickers was all I could think. Every one of them. Spineless, feckless, pieces of s%#&, ugh.

Tangent:

Folks, IMHO, NOTHING is going to change in the national political landscape between now and November of next year. ONLY on November 3rd, 2020, when the all the votes have been tallied, will we know if a change has occured - or not.

THEN and only then.

So for the next year or so, listen to all the D vs R noise at your own peril. Warning: your head may explode.

Tangent over!

I pulled to Vick's wonderful home, got out the Breeze and immeditely snapped some pics with the iPhone. A few moments later out came Vicky and I took her picture. I went inside and we talked for a good while altho we said we were gonna bring my stuff inside directly.

Tangent over!

Victoria looked great (with her new, smashing hairstyle) and as always, I was very happy to see her! She gave me a tour of the inside of the house that had been in the midst of a remodel during last years visit. It was now 99% done and boy did it look terrific. All the walls were painted, kitchen and cabinet fixtures were all installed, custom closests installed, the entire house was very nicely arranged. I was very impressed and I told her so. Vicky was happy with the remodel, too :)

After that I got settled in, brought all stuff inside, and we commenced to visit some more and boy can we reminisce! Her two pooches did not freak out upon my arrival like the previous year which was great. Ocassionally they engaged in a spontaneous yapping contest but only very ocassionally. It was getting later in the day and I grabbed some of my stuff and some of Vicky's stuff to eat (best stocked refrigerator and pantry ever!), followed by a little red. Long seven hour drive + wine drove me to the spare bedroom feeling sleepy and tired. I was asleep in no time.

December 19

My alarm went off at 8am and I leaned over and hit stop and went back to sleep. I finally rose and 9:30, feeling rested and ready for some coffee. Vick had stayed up till 3AM, was still asleep, but I went into her bedroom anyway to find out where all the java making stuff was. I'd finihsed a good amout of the nearly full coffee pot when Vicky came around. Sitting opposite one another, we spent a good ampount of time surfining, snacking, chatting, and ocassionally ranting about the dumbass in the white house.

Around 2:30 pm, we got inside Vicks's Subaru (2 pooches included) and headed for Alpine. Vicky wanted to take care of a number of errands and I was only too happy to go along. But first we stopped in Fort Davis for a bank deposit, followed by a brief stop at the Family Dollar (the Family Dollar vist was to pick something up for her friend Don cuz if someone's going into town, and town's 10 miles away, you pick stuff up for friends!) We drove the half hour to Apline and right to the NAPA car parts place for a sun shade visor she'd ordered. Paid, went back to the car and installed it right there in the parking lot. Next to a local drugstore City Drug's to fill ouit a script. Done there in no time, we next went to Porter's, a medium sized grocery store, and she picked up a few things..

Back home a half hour later (had a very nice chat while on the road), unloaded, got back on the laptops. Foodies, we started thinking about dinner outloud (Vick napped somewhere during the afternoon). I had had what I always have, in both the food and drink department because I like it. And Vick had some brie and tortilla chips and one of her caffeine specialties. Satieted mostly, we kept pace with the night winding down down down, and we surfed all departments political, watched a little MSNBC online, passionately ranted about crazy in the white house, played with the dogs, snacked on many delicious things, we proceeded to the clock down past 10p. I prepped the drip coffee maker with a fresh roast and water, then wandered off to bed in a mostly straight line. Fantastic spare bedroom at Vick's place right there, just for me, slipped underneath the cover and dreamed the strangest dreams all night (as always).

December 20

iPhone alarm woke m up at 7A, and I went straight into the kitchen to turn Mr. Coffee on. I tried to be quiet and not wake Vicky, but I made the tiniest of noise (that's all it takes!) and the two little ones, Lilly and Phoebe began to bark while charging into the kitchen. When they saw it was only me they calmed down but Vick got woke. I was back in my bedroom packing directly, Vicky was alredy in the kitchen preparing her morning drink and food.

I was mostly packed and prepared all around, so we spent the next 90 mintues chatting over coffee and hanging out, very relaxed and casual like. My departure time of 9A cam up fast. I'd already put everything into the ATZXBreeze van and we just said our goodbyes, took a few last snapshots, and tripled up on the goodbye hugs. I got into the van and drove away, waving one last goodbye.

At Fort Davis, which is about 12 miles from Vicks property, I filled the tank up, set my GPS for "home", put the pedal to the metal and drove into the rising sun.