Precipitation

I woke up not knowing what I would be doing on this day of my trip. This because we weren’t sure what the weather was going to be like. Eric rang at about 8:30 am and said the weather conditions were to dicey. While I was sad I didn’t go up, I’d rather not chance dicey conditions! Better safe than sorry I always say.

That meant I got to take a leisurely breakfast in my swanky hotel! After this I met Eric and ELB. They took me shooting! I was afraid of guns, in fact the first round that Eric fired made me jump every time he pulled the trigger but once I got that gun in my hand…

The handguns we used were (this is quoted from an email by Eric here):

The little one is a Colt Trooper .38 Special revolver with a 2″ barrel. The big one is a Colt Python .357 Magnum (although we were firing .38 Special
ammo) revolver with a 6″ barrel. The latter is one of the finest handguns ever made, as far as accuracy and reliability is concerned.

Let’s just say I really enjoyed firing the gun! Equally as cool, I hit the target and got quite close to the bulls eye! Eric and ELB kindly gave me the target as a souvenir.

Eric is not at all bad at shooting - watch you don’t get on his bad side…! ELB also hit the target but plans (if ever confronted by an assailant) to hit him with the butt of the gun - I suspect she has a mean swing - beware!

On the way to the next stop, I got to see my first real oil well up close. Here is a photo of it!

Next up was a high school football game. We were supporting the Bull dogs! ELB and Eric’s nephew got to go on the field to present the flags. I also saw cheerleaders, the mascot, flag teams, a marching band, a drill team and a dance team. This site is not too common over here.






Let me just say that anyone in band - you have my respect. The amount of practise that goes into that must be tremendous! Did you know that Eric and ELB met at band practise?

I got to meet some awesome people at the game too. I’m of course referring to Tommy and Toni (friends of Eric and ELB) and also ELB’s sister and her son. I really enjoyed chatting to them all.

On top of that I got some really cool stuff! I got these things that you clap together to support the team and also a mini football (Eric made a tremendous catch to get it!). Thanks Eric for those! Toni had a back up plan which involved climbing over seats so thanks to her as well! (More about Toni and Tommy tomorrow!)

The football itself was not too confusing. This is because for me it was a mix of Rugby and rugby league with a few extra things thrown in (also Eric and ELB were great tutors!). I can see how people can get addicted to this kind of thing. I’d just like to point out that the Bull Dogs won! Go Bull dogs!



We went to Jason’s deli for lunch. I had a yummy BLT. They also had a free ice-cream machine but sadly I was too full. Next time for sure!

Next was shopping! First I decided to get an IPOD. I brought a 4 gb Nano. I almost wish I’d gotten the 30 gb cause I’ve filled up about 1.3 gbs already! I’ve subsequently brought small speakers so that I can use it as an alarm clock and a car kit.

Then onto the main shopping event - Stetsons and boots. I had trouble fitting the boots but ELB found me the perfect pair of alligator ropers (which I’m told all the hardcore cowboys wear). Next was the Stetson. I got a fawn coloured one. I brought a Texas hat pin (which I pinned to the back) and ELB and Eric very kindly brought me a real snake skin hat band. My hat is truly awesome!

People may think I’m weird here but I wear it lots. I love my hat! I wore it to Church the Sunday after I got back. The Senior Pastor wants me to “donate” it to him (as does someone else in the Church). Keep dreaming guys!

Eric also found the perfect thing to take back for my friend Mike. A Texas belt buckle. Mike really liked it. We went to Sonic drive in for refreshment. I chose what Eric had. While I can’t remember the name of it - I did like it . It had real strawberries and lime in it.

After that, ELB and I went shopping. Eric being a guy, didn’t want to come. We were just going to look at stuff but then I realised that I needed a new bag so that my hat wouldn’t get smooshed on the the plane! We went to Walmart first. We didn’t find the perfect bag but we did have fun commenting on the little doggie outfits!

We then went to Target. There we found the duffel bag that worked for me and also got some chocolate for Eric. Then we went through the self checking machines. We don’t have them over here so I had fun scanning the items! Kid like glee ensured on my face! I also had fun getting to know ELB better.

After that it was time for a small rest before Eric and ELB had their dancing lesson. Never again will I let Eric fool me into thinking that they are no good! While they are not experts yet (I mean who is?), they are definitely learning and getting better. I saw improvement from them both over the course of the lesson. It wasn’t even an easy step to learn and it must have been intimidating having someone watch you perform a step you’d never done before.

The moments I liked best was when the official steps had ended and they danced a bit longer. What can I say - I’m a sucker for watching a couple in love dance! I would have brought you a photo or even a mini movie but I wasn’t sure how the rest of the class would take it hehe.

They took me for Tex-Mex next. I tried Sour cream Chicken Enchiladas. They were not bad! I must mention the restaurant itself was a nice setting! We went to Barnes and Noble for desert and I had a Banana fosters cheesecake (For some strange reason Eric hates anything with bananas in it).

What a great end to another great day!