After we ride, Mary Jo, Karen and I often adjourn to the stable's sitting area for a post ride beverage and talk. It was during one of these sessions that I mentioned that I hadn't seen my in-laws for a long time, and I really needed to go to Texas.
"Maybe you could come with me," Mary Jo mused. "I'm driving to Austin in a couple weeks for my cousin's Celebration of Life."
And just like that, the real quick Texas road trip became a thing.
On Thursday, I packed a bag and said goodbye to my family.
Mary Jo picked me up in her Cadillac, and we headed east on I-70.
We stopped for lunch in Colby, Kansas, then it was back in the car.
Our spirits were high and the miles went quickly. We called out, "Horses!" every time we saw them and laughed at our own ridiculousness.
Almost before we knew it, we were through Wichita and into Oklahoma.
We drove through Oklahoma City at sunset, and checked into our hotel in Paul's Valley at nightfall. The first day of our road trip was in the books.
The next morning we woke up bright and early and hit the road.
Our first stop was Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies.
Not going to lie, I took this picture entirely for Karen's benefit.
then headed to Turner Falls Park.
Nestled in the Arbuckle Mountains of Davis, Oklahoma, Turner Falls Park is a popular tourist destination filled with swim beaches, cabins and lots of snack stands.
Fortunately for us, there were no crowds on a Friday morning in September. We practically had the place to ourselves.
We parked and walked to the seventy seven foot waterfall.
So beautiful!
Then we got back in the car and drove up to the mountain.
We thought about riding the zip line, chickened out and then regretted it later. Next time!
Then it was back in the car and on to our next stop: Flower Mound, Texas. There we ate lunch with my in-laws.
The sun was setting as we drove into Austin...
The first two days of our road trip had been a lot of fun, but we were both ready to slow down a little, even if it was only for a day.
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How were the pies?!
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