Homeward Bound

I've been in Texas a week. It's been a good week, but I'm ready to head home. I miss Ames.

So I'm happy my return flight is tonight, but I have to say I've had a great time in Texas. I've been three nights in Dallas/Fort Worth, a couple nights in San Antonio, and a couple nights in Kerrville. I hate to admit this, but Texas was nothing like what I expected. I had a very Hollywood concept of Texas, and I've been disabused of those notions. To be blunt, I've loved my time here, and I'd happily come back any time.

Obviously my first concern when I visit a new place is the food. This has been a great trip for food, and I'm starting to believe what a friend told me: San Antonio is one of the greatest food cities. Now I've had very kind and generous hosts, so I doubtless did better than I would have alone: I'm very grateful for their hospitality. This has largely been a restaurant trip---there's not been a lot of home-cooking this trip. On the other hand, the home-cooking I did get was incredible.

So in terms of restaurants, we've eaten at:

1. 7 Salsas in Irving. The best salsa I've ever tasted, anywhere.
2. Hard Eight BBQ in Dallas. I still prefer North Carolina Q, but these guys have nothing to be ashamed of.
3. The Koffee Kup in Hico. Peanut-butter pie.
4. La Fogata in San Antonio. Wow.
5. George's Restaurant in Waco. Amazing chicken-fried steak.
6. Chef Point Cafe in Fort Worth. Fine dining in a gas station. Seriously.

Yeah, that's a little sick.

The real reason of my trip was a Bible Conference in Kerrville. It was a good time, and I was privileged to meet some really great people. I laughed way too hard, and I enjoyed the people way too much. If they let me come back, I'm sure going to try. The conference itself had its ups and downs, as these things do. I learned about Christ's three appearings (Hebrews 9:24--28). I learned about Leviticus 1--7 as seen in Luke 7. It was well worth the trip.

I didn't bring a camera, so I didn't take any pictures. Suffice it to say that fried chicken and waffles is much better than you might imagine, Texas sun is much brighter than we ever see in Washington state, the people here take their southern courtesy and hospitality very seriously, and San Antonio reminds me more of Victoria, BC than I ever would have imagined.

I've sure enjoyed being in Texas, but it's time to go home. I miss Ames the most, I miss my girls just a shade less. The sunshine here is really nice, but I'd much rather have a whole lot of cold, dark rain and not be away from the family.

A few more hours and I'm homeward bound.