Someplace had to be visited today. Where I did not know, but somewhere. Stonewall seemed like a good destination for lunch, so off I went. When the Stonewall restaurant came into view, it was packed clear out to hwy 290. Oh well Johnson City was just a little more miles down the road. When the Country Cupboard came into view the parking lot had several empty spaces in it. Oh Boy and I whipped right in.
Inside I noticed a very large congregation of college age kids at a long set of tables. My thought while being seated near them was I hope they behave decently. To my surprise, other than being a little loud as folks having tooooo much fun tend to do, they were very well mannered. The language used was not what I was used to college age kids talking like. It was a refreshing experience to see such a large mixture of sexes and skin colors having fun without any vulgarity at all. Maybe there is hope for us after all.
The special of the day was turkey and dressing with green beans and smashed taters. Brown gravy on all of it with a roll and iced tea. To top off the lunch, all the food was very good. I did make a mistake of loitering over my roll while sopping up the gravy. About a minute before I was ready to go the whole group of 30+ students jumped up to go. So I got to stand in line for some time until they got cleared out.
Actually it was fun to watch them glance at the old fat man to see if I was going to be a grouch. Then the usual second quick glance to verify I really am wearing two earrings, then a grin of acceptance of me as a reasonable human. Since I started wearing earrings a few years ago, I have had that happen a lot. The younger clerks at stores really treat me different than when I was just another old fat man.
Since my original non-plan was busted, I decided to go on down to Pedernales State Park near the restaurant. It is a pretty drive from there to the park and I was able to drive slowly without any traffic for miles and enjoy the scenery. Once in the park, the first stop was at a picnic area with restrooms. As luck would have it the area was nearly deserted. I think they were all back at Stonewall having lunch. There was one family at one of the larger table groups having a great time from the sound of the frivolity and giggles emanating through the trees. I love to see families having fun.
My allergies are kicking me hard today and here is the reason why. All the trees in the area have set pollen pods in the last couple of days. This year is a bountiful harvest for certain. Hack hack hack.
As I walked around a bit, I passed several couples who were having a pleasant afternoon out being social. Along one trail was a disturbance as I approached. Suddenly the brush exploded and a deer bounded across the path. After living in Texas for so many years, I know that there are seldom times where a deer is alone. So I stopped and looked carefully into the brush where the first deer had exploded into the air. Sure enough back in the trees being as quiet as a carrot was another deer. She is just about in the center of the picture.
In case you cannot spot her, I have enlarged the spot where she is at so you can see her for certain.
As we stared at each other I walked a little farther on. Then I stopped and looked at her. After a minute she started getting nervous. Then I did my best to imitate a deer alarm HUFF. I swear that she laughed at me. Anyway she stopped showing the signs of nervousness and just grinned. Finally I went on my way.
When I headed back to my home I dipped down to hwy 290 close to Dripping Springs. WOW has this area added a lot of houses in the last six years. I followed a trail back through the countryside and passed by the famous Lukenbach of the Waylin Jennings song. It appears to be pretty much a tourist trap now. The first time I went by it years ago, it was still just a country store. Not now.
On the way home with these not quite right glasses, another migraine started but let off a good bit. Hopefully it was because of the severe stress from the allergies instead of the glasses being too wrong. Any hoot, tomorrow will be another day to try to have tooooo much fun, TheOFM.
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