Driving, driving ...

Everything we own - save five suitcases, three backpacks, two totebags, myriad DVDs, and one dog - everything is loaded on a semi and headed north. The swingset is strapped to the back of the truck - either we have enough crap to fill the truck or they loaded it very inefficiently. I'm hoping it's the latter.

We left the Houston area yesterday afternoon around 4.30. There were some tears, espeically for Sylvia and two of her friends. It is always hard to say good bye, even though my feelings are not ambivalent in the slightest: Our quality of life will greatly improve where we are going. But it's still tough to bid farewell to people I genuinely like.

We made it to Dallas last night. And would you believe: the Homewood Suites policy on pets is not universal. In other words, our hotel in Dallas did not allow dogs. However, it was 10 p.m. And we had no other place to stay. So we surreptitiously kept the dog with us. Including two hours this morning while we were out - can't leave the dog in the car. We very stealthily took her up and down the steps, and it appears no one was the wiser. But I did call ahead to Memphis. Just to make sure.

Since we were in Dallas, ths morning we took the time and went to the sixth floor of the Texas Book Depository. Well worth a visit, by the way. Walked around outside - took pictures of the grassy knoll, even got Alison in the middle of the road - X marks the spot. And Gary found two guys with a table set up that tells what really happened that fateful day. Gotta love America, where everybody can have his or her say. The girls enjoyed the visit - I love to fill them in on history.

And we drove. And drove. Today was only about seven hours, but it felt longer. Long car rides are d-u-l-l. I can't read in the car, so it doesn't leave for much else to do. Usually we just let the girls watch a movie, but I am armed with three seasons of Arrested Development, so we watched a bit today. Tomorrow will be a marathon.

But tomorrow night we'll be home. Home! Sounds great!