Mom and dad got here Thursday, the third. It was Abby’s last day of exams and she was home early. She and I got home from school and not only were mom and dad there, but also Tom was home to work there the rest of the day. Later on, mom and I went to get Maggie and a friend from track (my carpool day!). Friday Maggie had school, but Abby was out. Tom and I took her to renew her passport. Everyone at the post office kept asking where we were going – no plans soon, just want to keep it up to date.
Saturday the girls had piano lessons and Abby had her violin “contest” for the year. Tom took her for that in the afternoon. Sunday was spent mostly getting ready for the trip. We left Monday morning via 2 taxis to the train station.
While this was our third trip, it was mom and dad’s first using a “roomette” vs. riding overnight in coach. The rooms are quite tiny – barely the width of the bunk beds. The upper bed is held up, the bottom one becomes two facing chairs. Maggie and I shared, Tom with Abby, and mom and dad together. Soon after we left we got to enjoy (?) our first meal on the train – train food, while better than airplane food, is NOTHING to write home about! Spent the afternoon reading/visiting/playing games until time for dinner – not much better…The one thing I really enjoy on the train is sleeping. I love the rocking motion. And while this particular train has two long stops (about an hour in Houston and then almost 3 in San Antonio), I generally sleep through them both. Lovely! The other part I enjoyed about this trip is looking out the window and recognizing where I am – until we pass over the Huey Long Bridge to cross the Mississippi. Then I’m lost.
Tuesday morning we slept in. We got off the train in Alpine, TX and the rental Suburban was soon delivered. After a stop at the grocery (for food for the hiking as well as snacks for the rooms) we were completely loaded down. Mom and Abby were in the back seat, Maggie and I in the middle and Tom and dad in the front. We got to the lodge and had a painless check-in, moved the stuff in the rooms (Abby asked to stay with mom and dad and they were agreeable) and then took a short loop walk (less than 1 mile) to loosen up. Dinner was at the lodge and bedtime was soon after that.
Wednesday was our ambitious day – hiking up to the South Rim (about 14 miles round trip with a 2500 elevation change – roughly 250 stories).
Tom, dad and I all carried 1 gallon containers of water as well as our personal supplies, each one had a pack with their lunch.
We hiked up via the trail that the four of us had done last year and, for me, it seemed easier. I was amazed at all the girls remembered from the trail (where we’d eaten lunch, etc.).
We had lunch at the top and then descended via a different trail. This one was more difficult than the one we’d gone up on (steeper, rockier) and was quite tough, especially after all the previous hiking.
Maggie and I were going a faster pace and made it about 15-20 minutes before the others. We were all quite thankful for the good food at the lodge’s restaurant that night, as well as a hot shower. Last year Mardi Gras was in February, so it was much cooler than this year…..
Thursday we awoke to sore muscles and a few blisters. Decided to do an easier hike. So Tom found a “flat” hike through the desert to the Chimneys – rock formations with Indian pictographs on them.
It felt good to stretch our legs, although the blisters weren’t really happy and it became fairly warm toward the end. After we finished the hike (about 6 miles round trip) we got in the car to eat lunch and took a driving tour, seeing the Rio Grande along the border of the US and Mexico – and stopping for ice cream for all interested! Nice dinner at the lodge again and early to bed.
Friday, despite blisters, we headed for another rather challenging hike – in particular because unlike most hikes at Big Bend this one started at the highest elevation and descended about 700 feet (which we had to climb back up). The Windows Trail, however, was perhaps the most beautiful of the ones we saw. Such diversity and all.
Ended at the “winder” which is where the water (when it’s there in the desert climate!) drains off the mountains.
Really spectacular, but WOW was a pain to walk back, especially the last part with most of the climbing! We had a late lunch at the lodge and then got in the car for a tour. Hit the hot springs area – had been a private hotel at one time and the natural “hot tub” still exists. Dad, Tom and I walked the short way to it and Tom dunked his feet in. A lady was sitting in it. Back to the car for a trip back for dinner.
Saturday we headed out, back to Alpine. Went back to the book store we’d gone to last year and made some purchases. The train was about an hour late, but we were able to get lunch on board. And then the time change that night made it another hour. However, they were able to ultimately make up all the time and then some, so we arrived back in New Orleans 20 minutes earlier than expected. Saturday afternoon they advertised a trivia game with prizes. Maggie was interested, so she and I went. And I won a bottle of wine. Not too bad! Only got 4 right out of 12, but it was good enough for second place. And I was the only one that knew all the words to “Oscar Meyer Weiner” and “sang” it (I use the term “sing” quite loosely!). As we got over the Huey Long Bridge, Maggie and I were looking out our window. We both saw a lady at the same time working in her yard that looked familiar and looked at each other saying “wasn’t that?”. I checked in my church directory and I believe it WAS she and her husband working in their yard. Funny to see someone you know from the train!
Finished 4 loads of laundry, went to the grocery today, and am about to head to Abby’s basketball game with mom and dad. Always something!
So thankful for NO injuries, NO ONE falling down (my mom learned to STOP before turning around to talk!), NO running into cactuses (as I did last year), NO major disagreements, and LOTS of fun by all. None of us would win any fashion awards, but no one else on the trails looked any better!
Beth, that picture of your family is awesome! I don't think I've seen one of the 4 of you in a long time. Definitely a framer! I'm glad you had such a fun trip and great family together-time.
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