A Journey not a trip
A road to nowhere yet
It was everywhere I needed to be.
Towns forgotten homes abandoned,
Open spaces often ignored
In my mind to be always recalled.
Rivers canyons farmlands and wildlife
Surviving , Thriving, Enduring
In harmony with their world and each other
Is the past, is it the future ?
Is it even possible?
It is life. it is now. And it is perfect.
It has taken some time for me to finally sit down and write a few words about My initial journey along US Route 83. I really should be surprised by this, because nothing from my original plans, other than the route itself remained intact. From my 1st visit to Paint Rock Texas, I knew that this was going to be special. Leaving Cora's Ranch and seeing the Indian Pictographs , I was changed. There was a magic there that is nearly impossible to describe yet, when I talk to friends and strangers they hear the tone of my voice and the excitement in my eyes. As time has gone on the excitement has not wained but has grown. The second part of my Journey had taken me to Shamrock Texas for the Saint Patrick's weekend Festival and the magic only continued. From visiting the U Drop In museum and meeting Larry Clonts, but also the people in the town I began to realize that this experience was going to be amazing.
So many people ask me, “So how was you trip?” I try my best to explain that is was not a trip but a journey. A trip moves you from point A to point B. A journey moves your heart and soul to places you should have been all along. Trips take up your time. Journeys take up spaces in you mind, and leave you with memories. Many of those same people who ask me that question do so with a tone that implies that they expected this event to be nothing special, and that I would somehow voice my disappointment . There are some folks that even wanted this to be nothing more than “drive” . I am more than happy to let them know that they are the ones who were wrong, and that “their” world is out of touch with what’s important. I have always believed that humanity is our grace and that it is out there to be enjoyed. The self centered egotistical world is the “odd man” out. What I was looking for did exist, and it was not some sort of “Bigfoot”. I was able to see 1st hand the world most can only dream about. Humanity is alive and well and I have the pictures and the memories to prove it!
Just like my Journey along US Route 83 my plan to journey the event on my blog has changed. Each day led to another discovery of something new or an internal discovery about myself. From the initial drive out, to the return home it seemed as if every location not only had a story to tell but it also had a lesson to teach. Conversations with folks took on a depth that I did not expect. Tom a friend that I met along the way asked the best question of all. He and His wife Twyla had graciously offered up their ranch house to me during my stay in Thedford. On the morning of my departure, Tom and I shared 2 things that morning. Coffee and conversation and trust me they go very well together. Tom asked me this “Did this trip meet you expectations?” It was an easy and fast answer. My reply was “No”. It exceeded every dream, every plan in every way.” I went on to say “I really have no idea just how to measure what has happened.” That was when it became a Journey. I was changed. Some will say for the better. Doesn’t matter to me. I had found more than I was looking for. I found friends, I had found my “Bigfoot” I found what I read about, and could only wonder about. The wonder is gone-It is wonderful.
I plan on making many more Journeys along US Route 83. Not only to see more of the wonderful and beautiful places, but to revisit the friends I made along the way. I miss them already. I missed them the moment I drove away. I cannot plan what I will do when I get there, but I will plan on the dates and my calendar is quickly filling up!
This post does not do any of the Journey justice. I hope it wets your appetite to hear about some of the individual moments and there are plenty. So bear with me as I try to put into words during the next few weeks and months just how special US Route 83 really is. The only promise I can make is this. MY words will never do justice to the people, places and experiences. I will do my best though.
