We, of course, stopped at Whataburger in Livingston (I think) for breakfast - is there any other breakfast place???? I love their breakfast.............then we headed down 59 through Lufkin, wow - what memories I have of Lufkin, Texas and all the years I spent on the campgrounds there!!!! So many changes since I've been there - but it still looks good. I can't believe I am old enough to remember the campground days when the floor was saw dust..............I sound like an old timer - guess I am!!!!! I can remember sitting outside when it was soooo hot and we would dress up and be sweating our GUTS out........but, hey - we looked good with our frizzy hair from the heat and our soaked dressed!!!!! LOL.....luckily - things got better and a new auditorium was built with air!!!
The drive was pleasant - took about 6 hours. We were loaded down with all kinds of snacks. Shirley and I do not travel lightly!!! Of course, we had to stop and potty a couple of times - but who is counting!!!!! I'm glad that Dad and Shirley traveled with us because she thought we were going to Broken Arrow - which is on the opposite side of Oklahoma that we were at.....LOL......it would have taken them twice as long to find us.
The other thing that we did during our travels was to stop at Dairy Queen. I LOVE blizzards - but I only allow myself to have one when I am traveling (it's like a treat - if I ate one as much as I'd like too - well, lets just say that wouldn't be a good thing!). I always get the cookie dough (extra cookie dough) with chocolate syrup!!! So good!!!!! We ate the blizzard instead of lunch....it was well worth it!
When we arrived at the cabin - we were so excited!!!!! It was beautiful (pictures below). It was in the woods and private - lots of land for Jake to play outside and a huge wrap around porch. Jake - of course, thought the wrap around porch was a concert stage - he ran his legs off for a week on the stairs with his guitar acting like he was the Jonas Brothers and they were having a concert!!!! He would also pretend he was Pastor Jared and that he was having band practice - he would get the band members together and hold hands and pray over practice! I love it!!!!! He is a mess. He definitely kept us entertained.
Intentionally, we didn't plan a whole lot of activities during this vacation. My dad and Shirley had just come off of a two week camp where they were in charge of the kitchen.....they were in desperate need of relaxation as well as Mark........so, we laid low and just hung out.....
We spent a couple days at the lake fishing and swimming. It was great for Popsie and Grammy to sit by the bank and watch Jake play in the water. He was so proud to show them what he could do.
Shirley and I had to shop - of course!!! The antique shops were great and cheap!!! Oh my goodness - I found some great bargains on stuff I was collecting......thanks Jann for recommending all the shops........both Shirley and I love to junk shop......
We spent a day driving through the state park and riding the train - it was great - you could see deer just laying around - they didn't even care that people were invading their territory! Beavers Bend state park is beautiful!!! The drive alone is worth going for. Another day we went back to the park and went through the museum that they have that chronicles the beginnings of Beavers Bend - it was awesome! They had a 100 year old cabin that was amazing - how in the world did they live like that way back then and survive? And here we are complaining about piddly stuff......wow - we are so spoilt these days - aren't we? Dad and Mark really liked the museum - my husband loves looking at old pictures and stuff from the old days.
The property surrounding our cabins had several hiking trails - Jake LOVED this - he wore his daddy out (ok - I only went ONCE)......they were steep and rocky and I kept telling Jake it was a "man" thing.....LOL....whatever it takes!!!
I read 3 books, my dad read 2 1/2 book and I think Shirley read 2!!! My dad and I love to read - but when we are at home - we feel like we need to be doing all the other stuff surrounding us - it was amazing to just hang out on the patio - with the wind blowing and just read. Jake was so busy having his concerts - it didn't even bother him that we weren't paying him any attention!!!!
One night - even though it was hot - Mark built a fire for Jake in the fire pit. They tried to roast marshmallows - but Jake didn't like that - he just wanted to entertain us....pictures below! The cabin also had a hot tub......ever sat in one of those when it's like a million degrees outside and the hot tub is 104!! Try telling a 6 year old that it's too hot - he didn't care!!! We finally told him that we would sit in it at night - it was at least a little cooler.....
We also ate very well while we were there.....Shirley had cooked two meals and brought with her - my mother-in-law had made a brisket for us and then we grilled steaks....everything was yummy. Dad made biscuits and gravy, we had pancakes, french toast........you name it!!!! The last night - we found this place called Pier 49 - they had the BEST fried fish............we also snacked alot....isn't that what vacation is for??? Now we have to go back on our diets and head back to the gym!
Saturday came too early..........but, we did NOT stop at diary queen on the way home - we were too grossed out from all the food we had already eaten - I was so glad to get home and start eating healthy.......at least until next time! :)
Hope you enjoy the pictures. Next year - our goal is to take both sets of parents - rent a passenger van and head up to Durango Colorado.... can't wait for that - what a site that will be!!! LOL
Take care!
Karen
3 comments:
Jake is so big and grown up. Has it really been that long since i've seen you? Wow! Looks like a fun beautiful vacation and like you are enjoying your summer! Miss you tons.
Great pics! Grammy & Popsie came back excited about the trip. Isn't nature relaxing? Love ya!
Karen, we had such a good time and so much enjoyed being with you guys and of course you know Jake, the most........HA He was so cute waking me every morning and would have my house coat in his hand for me to put on. The food was all so good, especially the steaks and hamburgers that Marked grilled and even your pancakes with sour cream was wonderful!!!
You said it right we were in need of rest and so much enjoyed just being lazy and being able to read some books while there. I loved the junk stores and all our bargains. Can't wait until next year and get to be with Tootsie and Alvin. You and Mark will go nutty with parents and in-laws. I teased Mark about having his mom and mother-in-law with him....He is such a sweetie he won't mind it one bit and we will have loads of fun!!!
love you,
Shirley
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