Texas BBQ

Lunch
Originally uploaded by offyonder

On I-10 from Houston to San Antonio, you can't miss Jerry Mikeskas Bar-B-Q.

A small hexagon shaped building sits right at the mouth of the first westbound exit to Columbus, TX. Ample parking for cars, semi-trucks and RV's made it easy to get there. The lot wasn't full, but I did follow a semi-truck into the big lot.

Inside... the best way to set the stage might be the antler chandelier hanging in the middle of the single dark room. On the walls hundreds of hunting trophies - animals of all sorts - watched you as you considered what sort of meat you wanted to eat. Then, they all watched you eat. A handful of truckers sat scattered around the room, eating their solitary meal while young and old couples and even a few families with young children filled more tables.

For not quite $8 I got a nice selection of meat, BBQ sauce and three sides - spinach, beans and boiled potatoes. The BBQ sauce was pleasantly sweet, while I would have appreciated something a bit more tangy, smoky or spicy.

Despite the food not being quite as amazing as I had hoped, I can see how this eatery could easily become a tradition for those who frequently travel between Houston and San Antonio.

It's a true piece of Americana... rather Texacana. If you can handle all the critters on the walls, I recommend the stop.

Houston, TX

Heatwave!
Originally uploaded by offyonder

Good times in Houston, but it's time to move on. After some very good meetings with folks here, it's clear they are all very busy with getting ready for the TMC Youth Spiritual Activist Summit.

DiscoveryBound has been in Houston in the past, but with the number of kids dwindling in Sunday Schools... it's been difficult to keep the momentum going. The folks I've chatted with here seem to think the Summit will lead into an interest to continue having CS related activity for youth henceforth and if there is any spark of interest in that, I'm told DB will be off and running. Until then, we're supporting the work being done for the Summit and I'm off to San Antonio to continue the work and to promote the Summit. I plan to be there in April!

Oh, and a side not one Houston and road signs... I can't sort it out. It can be a confusing city to drive around in. Often times the signs are hidden behind a concrete pole or are too close to the junction. Maybe it's just me.

To the Alamo!

Texas Glaze

Glaze
Originally uploaded by offyonder

Texas can have some gnarly ice! This morning I woke to find my windshields totally glazed over. It took quite a scape to get it clear. The roads were wicked icy as well. Slow and steady I head south to get out of the freezing weather.

Oklahoma City might just get themselves a chapter going. My point person, Dawn, is working on strumming up some interest and we'll see how that goes. She has the chapter handbook, good intentions and lots of energy. Go Dawn!

I also got a call from Ann the SS Super in Wichita, KS. She is very excited about the prospect of DB and though a full chapter might not work in Wichita, she's keen to support the chapters in Oklahoma City and Kansas City. Hopefully she'll be able to get a van load of folks to come up to the Regional KC and STL are looking to get rolling.

Speaking of rolling... it's time for me to roll south!

Wash Me!

Don't get me wrong... I love snow. But I love it in the mountains, blanked over rolling hills, or as each unique and individual flake fills the air. Even if it's blowing at 90mph. But where I don't like snow is in th city and on roads. When it turns from white to brown slush... sludge really. And that's just what was caked on the front of the trailer after driving out of Wichita. Ech. See the video.

This morning I was up much earlier than I expected. Two things happened. I noticed while lying in bed at 5am that it felt oddly cool in the trailer and I couldn't hear the familiar rush of air being drawn into the heater. The twin propane tank system is supposed to switch from the empty tank to the full tank automatically. I suspected this did not happen. So, I rousted myself from my warm nest, dressed for the cold and troded out to switch the tanks.

Back in the trailer, the heater still had not kicked on. I turned on a light to see what was going on... and the light seemed a little dim. The batteries were low. Double bummer. I think it was the cold that gave the batteries such a hard time (like 17˚F!). Regardless, there was only one solution. I wasn't close enough to a power outlet in the Wichita Church parking lot to plug in, so I had to bust out the generator. I swept clear a spot on the asphalt of the 3 or so inches of snow that had piled up, got the genny running and got back in the trailer. Ahhh. The heater was rolling.

I opted not to go back to bed but started my day with a cup of tea (or three) and did some reading.

I met with some of my cousins who live here for breakfast and got back on the road for Oklahoma City, which is where I sit now in 1st Church's lot after hitting the car wash as you can see in the video above. There are also a few photos on the flickr site.

After the fundraiser banquet for the community center Casey works at in Yukon, we talked about DB some and they made some phone calls and gave me some numbers to call to try and get a group together after church on Sunday. I think OKC is big enough to get a chapter going. We'll see if the folks here think so as well.

Hutch & Wichita, KS

Snow?
Originally uploaded by offyonder

What is going on here? When I arrived in Hutchinson, KS it was beautiful, sunny and 50˚F! Overnight, the weather blew in and I woke to a light dusting of snow scattered everywhere. The whole plan was for me to stick to the warmer weather!

Well, the trip to Hutch was eventful. I got to meet with my friends Amy and her dad George and got to meet her mother for the first time.

Also, I met with Marilla and her dad, Dan, who is the Superintendent of the Hutchinson Church. They only have sporadic Sunday School attendance, but Dan was happy to be the church contact for when they do get more kids in the SS.

I made the snowy drive to Wichita and parked in the large church parking lot and waited for the 6.30 service. I got to meet a number of nice folks including Doug & Carolyn whom I joined for dinner at a local eatery. They are very supportive of DB and what we're doing. Carolyn is going to connect me with the Wichita SS Super as another Church Contact. I'll also let the Chapter in KC know about the gang down here so they get included on any KC events. It's a bit of a drive, but maybe for a weekend overnight event folks from Wichita will be willing to drive up.

Tomorrow I drive down to Oklahoma City where my friend Dawn has arranged for me to be able to park in the church parking lot there. There's supposed to be 4-6 inches of snowfall tonight. We'll see how the roads are!

Southbound II

Kansas City
Originally uploaded by offyonder

Glenn was gracious enough to let me park the trailer in his driveway while I was in Kansas City... it's hard to tell in the photo, but the truck and trailer actually takes up the whole driveway.

Anyway, Glenn wasn't even there most of the time. He got back Monday night and I took off Tuesday morning. It was good to see him and hang out, albeit briefly.

I made it down to Hutchinson, KS and met with a few of the church members... OK... I met with the Andrews - Amy and George - whom I climbed Kilimanjaro with in September. Hopefully we'll get some of the kids who make sporadic appearances at the Sunday School here involved with the amazing DB energy building in KC.

Next it's off to Wichita to do more of the same.

Thanks to the Hutch Church for letting me park in their lot and a huge thanks to the guy who lives next door who let me plug into his power outlet! I just wish there was something other than a six-pack of beer that could convey the simple 'thanks' that it seems only a six-pack can convey. Any ideas? Quick!

And Toto, too.

Kansas City is in good hands. Janna joined the standing team including Jeff, Margie, Keith & Donna and brought a whole entourage of help with her. The aforementioned core members of the chapter board met last night at Jason's Deli (pictured). I provided an overview of how DB works on a national level and how each chapter and each chapter worker fits into that system. We also discussed the need to develop church contacts and Janna has developed a contact for every church in Kansas City so every Sunday School student will know about any events in the area.

Next steps for Kansas City includes meeting with the larger group of volunteers to start planning activities and delegating duties to that end. There is also talk of coordinating a regional event with the St. Louis chapter in May. Stay tuned!

I visited 6th Church today where Janna had recruited many of the volunteers and went to lunch with a fun bunch to the BK Lounge... a regular event for the 6th Church gang.

Also, a big thanks to Glenn who let me park the trailer in his driveway while I'm in town. Glenn has been away since I arrived but will return Monday to see how my setup fills his entire driveway! Hopefully we're not freaking out his neighbors!

On The Road Again

Good times in St. Louis... but now it's time to head west.

I pulled the trailer out of storage from the Principia Upper School (thanks!) and have restocked all my goodies onboard and jumped on I-70 towards Kansas City. It was an easy drive and I connected with Roland and Judy for dinner.

They took me to Rob's (Nof) favorite BBQ joint - Jacks. I knew Rob had good taste... and this just confirmed my notion. Another friend, Glenn, who is out of town is letting me use his driveway as a camping spot and the Nofsingers spotted me as I backed this behemoth trailer around a tight corner from a narrow suburban street into an even skinnier driveway. I'm glad to say I nailed it on the first try. Whew.

Now, with power and water hookups, the heater cranked up and tunes rocking the trailer is once again home and I'm ready to head to bed and crash.

Good night!