I'm not quite sure how many times I'll find myself up at the office at 0645 waiting around for others to arrive so we can hit the road by 0700. Its only been twice for this Longview job and its already a little stale. Having had the benefit of the previous trip to pick out the more interesting sights, I have assembled some of them here for your pleasure.
First, let me say that traveling in the back seat of a Volvo, no matter how nice, is not so comfortable when you've got a hurting back. Its not so much the comfort of the seat, or the smoothness of the ride as much as the lack of leg room and the two hour trip. Its sorta like being on an airplane, except you cant get up and go to the bathroom for a stretch.
Obviously, there wasn't enough happening out the windshield to keep my boss from wondering what the heck I was doing in the back seat. Click on the picture for a larger view and check out the rear view mirror.
We made good time to Longview. I think there had been some concern about the condition of the roads. The Great Ice Storm of '07 was still lingering in our thoughts. Plus, it had been raining lightly. The roads were fine and we flew pretty good. Which was very good for me because the bowl of Raisin Bran I ate at 0500 wasn't sticking around.
When we arrived in town, it was decided that we had time to stop and sample some of the local fare. I'm always keen on places to eat with names like, "Restaurant." These types of places are the places we frequent when out on hunting trips. There's nothing better than a greasy spoon after sleeping in the woods for three days. I had the "New Country Breakfast," two scrambled eggs with cheese, two pancakes, two sausage patties and hot coffee...MMMMM! Delish!
On the way out of that fine establishment, I spied an advertisement for a car dealer I think I might be able to do business with. Check out this ad!
I'm LOL and rolling! I had to go back to the car for the camera for that one. I didn't think anyone would believe me!
After the me
etings and a Cajun food lunch, we headed back to Dallas. It was raining lightly again and threatening to freeze. It was still 35 degrees or so, and we figured we'd make it fine. Leave it the state to make the drive more enjoyable, or at least give the tourista a photo op. Only in East Texas, the historical oil boom area that made several of the most recognizable millionaires of yesteryear, can you eat a picnic lunch beneath a genuine replica oil derrick.Back on the road again, the drive just would not have been bearable with out a beverage and Diet Coke had to suffice. Its good stuff, really and I like it just fine. Unfortunately, it shrinks the size of my bladder. I'm not sure why it has this magical effect, but it does. Maybe its so I'll be forced to stop and see things I might otherwise have missed, or missed out on. Such may be the case with my forced stop on the return trip.
I finally had to acknowledge that ever so familiar pressure in my lower abdominal cavity that could only be relieved in one of two ways. Due to the mixed company, the 32oz. cup I was holding ceased to be an option. So, I politely requested a pit stop.
After exiting the highway and crossing over to the other side, we saw a dark little place with several trucks parked outside. I really didn't care that there were no other Volvos there, or that all the people moving about seemed to be my kind of working class guys, rough unshaven, looking like they just spent three days in a tent, or maybe like Benton after a weekend at Groesbeck! My three button suit and black sweater was a clean giveaway that I wasn't from around there...I did my business and scooted back out to the waiting car. On the way, however, I noticed the name on the place...and now I can say with pride that I pissed at Peckerwoods!
