Our cousins Ann and Herb, together with their grandson Casey, kindly picked us up and took us to their farm in Gardendale, north of Odessa. Glenna, Casey's Mom, joined us later at the Po Farm and contributed plates of BBQ which we all sat and ate on the porch. Welcome to West Texas!
Next morning, we were back on the porch for waffles and maple syrup for breakfast. Across from the house Ann and Herb have a couple of fields with donkeys and goats, I went over to say hello before we headed out for the day. Hee Haw!
On the way into Odessa we had to make sure we didn't hit any roadrunners (beep! beep!). After a look round the big Wal Mart we had dinner at the Red Lobster, before being treated by our cousins to a haul of goodies from Susie's Confections. She had some lovely Texas-themed sweeties and souvenirs.
Herb and I had a big time playing with some of the giant jackrabbits which can be found dotted around the town. They are part of Odessa's Jackrabbit Jamboree Art Project; the fella I hopped a ride with was Patchwork Jack, I believe.
We swung in past to pick up Casey on the way back to the farm. Us boys played golf then some softball, Ann and Herb have a BIG front yard! The following photo shows Casey wrastlin' with his Grandpa.
Next up, it was time to feed the donkeys and the goats. Herb and Casey let me join in, which I thought was nice of them.
At night, we drove out to Gomez cantina for Mexican food. This place was the real deal; I had fajitas, we shot some pool and talked to some of the locals. I managed to throw back a coupla long necks too!
Friday 19th, we were treated to scrambled egg and salsa tortillas on the porch (it was already H.O.T.); afterwards we drove to Odessa to have dinner at Gerardo's Grill and Cantina with a bunch of folks. Sam (a good friend of Star's) had driven in from Fort Stockton; Glenna popped in during her break from work; Casey's brother Ronnie and his friend from school, Cole, also joined us. The next photo shows Ronnie and Glenna (and a HUGE plate of enchiladas!).
Below, we have a real rogue's gallery. Herb, Ann, Sam and Beth get up close and personal outside the restaurant before Sam had to head back to Ft. Stockton.
Next up, it was the King of Scots turn to get his photo taken!
After dinner Ann and Herb took us to Wal Mart to get a new suitcase to transport all the souvenirs and presents we had been showered with, then we stopped at the Odessa Chamber of Commerce to pick up some MORE souvenirs! Back at the farm we met up with Casey, and were gifted with a rattlesnake skin (complete with rattle) by April, who looks after Casey sometimes. Her husband works on the oilfields and there are LOTS of rattlesnakes out there!
Our cousins then drove us back to Midland Airport for our 19:30 flight to the Big D. We had a bonny flight across Texas (the photo was taken just before landing at sundown), and when we arrived in Dallas Barbara Anne was there to pick us up. She even laid on tamales for supper!