A.N.(T)
Part 3: (T)exas
The last two times we went to and through El Paso there was road work being done. I was hoping that wasn't the case this time. Prior to the move I was on the AAA website investigating areas of construction along I-10 East and there was construction noted. No bueno.
As we entered the city about 6pm the traffic was heavy, the lanes were tight, and people were flying! All I could see in the rear view was the monster truck swerving in and out of traffic. I white-knuckled it to the hotel....or so I thought. My joy was short lived as Siri directed us to the wrong location. We pulled over to re-enter the address only to learn we had another 20 miles to go.
The recognizable Best Western in Clint, Texas (East El Paso) was a sight to behold! No sooner than our convoy pulled in a hotel employee came fast walking out to tell Charlie the truck had to go on the other side of the building. After trying to direct him through the parking lot for 15-20 minutes we gave up and unhitched the car so he could safely back up.
I checked into the room, we hitched the car back up and unloaded for the night. We were jam packed in one room but it worked out well. Mom and I enjoyed a beautiful sunset and admired the rain clouds in the distance. We had sandwiches, chips and macaroni salad for dinner, watched "Why Did I Get Married 2", thanked God that we made it that far and went to sleep.
Friday, August, 5 I slept thru the initial alarm set for 345am. About an hour later we were up and about, preparing for the long drive ahead. We gassed up at this weird station right next to the hotel and jumped on the road.
I-10 East at 5am was a dream come true. The traffic was light and Charlie set the pace--speed racer mode. Naysia and Imaunii slept for a very long time which made for a boring ride in our car. We stopped a few times to fill the tanks, get snacks, take energy vitamins and stretch.
About 3pm we hit the San Antonio city limits and the traffic began to pick up considerably. Five miles away from our exit Siri re-directed us. My nerves revved up as we passed the initial exit that was backed up due to an accident. We lost Mom & Charles as the traffic continued to swell. Naysia got mom on the phone to better explain to them where we were.
We exited on Wurzbach Parkway, and oh my! The cars crawled for miles it seems. The lane we were in was about to run out and we had to bully our way over. I could see Charlie in the back doing the same. Finally the Blanco Rd exit magically appeared. We maneuvered here and there, passed the apartment complex, searched for the right place to turn around and safely, happily, blessedly entered the leasing office.
Leasing agent, Marisol, quickly reviewed the lease and general housekeeping rules. I was not able to view the apartment when I visited in June. So, for the first time in my life I signed the dotted line for a place unseen. She walked Naysia and I over to see the apartment. As we began to perform the inspection my heart sank. While spacious, the apartment was quite dirty and sloppily renovated. No turning back now.
Marisol left us to unpack. And we worked just as swiftly to unload as we did to load. Halfway into the task at hand the heat and humidity forced us all to rest. I ordered pizza and spaghetti for delivery. We broke bread together before getting back to work. By nightfall the truck was emptied, beds and couch were assembled and one of the bathrooms was cleaned enough for use.
I fell into bed that night exhausted and ever so grateful to Father God for His immeasurable blessings.
For the next two days we cleaned and unpacked, a lot. One of the most memorable occurrences was listening to my dad's record collection while doing chores. Imaunii and Charlie had some serious dance moves going. I had the pleasure of taking my family to the Riverwalk, out for dinner and on the San Antonio River cruise. Charlie was able to go fishing. Naysia and Imaunii traded secrets in her new bedroom. Mom and I stayed up extra late one night looking at pictures. Sadly the time went by too fast.
As we entered the city about 6pm the traffic was heavy, the lanes were tight, and people were flying! All I could see in the rear view was the monster truck swerving in and out of traffic. I white-knuckled it to the hotel....or so I thought. My joy was short lived as Siri directed us to the wrong location. We pulled over to re-enter the address only to learn we had another 20 miles to go.
The recognizable Best Western in Clint, Texas (East El Paso) was a sight to behold! No sooner than our convoy pulled in a hotel employee came fast walking out to tell Charlie the truck had to go on the other side of the building. After trying to direct him through the parking lot for 15-20 minutes we gave up and unhitched the car so he could safely back up.
I checked into the room, we hitched the car back up and unloaded for the night. We were jam packed in one room but it worked out well. Mom and I enjoyed a beautiful sunset and admired the rain clouds in the distance. We had sandwiches, chips and macaroni salad for dinner, watched "Why Did I Get Married 2", thanked God that we made it that far and went to sleep.
Friday, August, 5 I slept thru the initial alarm set for 345am. About an hour later we were up and about, preparing for the long drive ahead. We gassed up at this weird station right next to the hotel and jumped on the road.
I-10 East at 5am was a dream come true. The traffic was light and Charlie set the pace--speed racer mode. Naysia and Imaunii slept for a very long time which made for a boring ride in our car. We stopped a few times to fill the tanks, get snacks, take energy vitamins and stretch.
About 3pm we hit the San Antonio city limits and the traffic began to pick up considerably. Five miles away from our exit Siri re-directed us. My nerves revved up as we passed the initial exit that was backed up due to an accident. We lost Mom & Charles as the traffic continued to swell. Naysia got mom on the phone to better explain to them where we were.
We exited on Wurzbach Parkway, and oh my! The cars crawled for miles it seems. The lane we were in was about to run out and we had to bully our way over. I could see Charlie in the back doing the same. Finally the Blanco Rd exit magically appeared. We maneuvered here and there, passed the apartment complex, searched for the right place to turn around and safely, happily, blessedly entered the leasing office.
Leasing agent, Marisol, quickly reviewed the lease and general housekeeping rules. I was not able to view the apartment when I visited in June. So, for the first time in my life I signed the dotted line for a place unseen. She walked Naysia and I over to see the apartment. As we began to perform the inspection my heart sank. While spacious, the apartment was quite dirty and sloppily renovated. No turning back now.
Marisol left us to unpack. And we worked just as swiftly to unload as we did to load. Halfway into the task at hand the heat and humidity forced us all to rest. I ordered pizza and spaghetti for delivery. We broke bread together before getting back to work. By nightfall the truck was emptied, beds and couch were assembled and one of the bathrooms was cleaned enough for use.
I fell into bed that night exhausted and ever so grateful to Father God for His immeasurable blessings.
For the next two days we cleaned and unpacked, a lot. One of the most memorable occurrences was listening to my dad's record collection while doing chores. Imaunii and Charlie had some serious dance moves going. I had the pleasure of taking my family to the Riverwalk, out for dinner and on the San Antonio River cruise. Charlie was able to go fishing. Naysia and Imaunii traded secrets in her new bedroom. Mom and I stayed up extra late one night looking at pictures. Sadly the time went by too fast.
It was a long bittersweet goodbye at 5am Monday morning. Mom, Charlie, and Imaunii climbed into Lance and drove off and it hit me. This is real.
Hello Reset Button
Hello New Home
Hello Texas
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