Traci Money

I'm a huge Texas history buff and have wanted to visit Frontier Texas for a while now. For many reasons the timing was just right this last Wednesday. I loaded up the three oldest grandbabies and off we went - Trevor 3, Audrey 7 & Blake 9. It's only a two hour drive due west down I-20. A few stops in town and on the road by 9 am. Stopped at the Ranger Hill Rest Stop - our program here in Texas to remodel or build new rest stops is working. So pretty and felt safe/secure. Made it into Abilene about 11:30 and had Subway for lunch. Then onto our first stop of the day. Fort Phantom Hill - We just made this a quick stop as it was already very hot. Most of the buildings ... read more

I woke up early at about 7:30am, David was sucking the paint off the walls; so I let him sleep in. Brushed my teeth and threw on sweats. Time to go have coffee in the casino. Played a little black jack and a little slots till 9am. Woke up the beast and let him know time to go have some fun!. We just had pastries and OJ we brought with us for breakfast. ♦ First stop Gator Chateau in Jennings, LA. http://www.jeffdavis.org/tourism/attractions/gator-chateau.html - No admission fee. We got to hold a little fellow named Gumbeaux. A two year old. He was so soft on his belly and pretty calm. They rescue babies and eggs then raise till about 5 years old till they can be release back to the wild. Not only other predators but both ... read more

Once we are back on the road again I was hungry. When we last left you I had skipped breakfast and been drinking a lot. David wanted to try the Blue & White Restaurant but it had some mixed reviews. I said well let's try it anyway. We went in seated right away. Very cute - side of the road kind of cafe. They have an extensive menu of southern favorites. Everything coming out of the kitchen looked very very good. I decided on a pulled pork sandwich they serve the coleslaw on the side For my side I got fried green tomatoes. David chose this layered breakfast dish. My sandwich was delicious and yes the coleslaw went on. The coleslaw was crunchy and tangy. Now the tomatoes perfect and these are not easy to get ... read more

We did pretty good on being on the road by 7am. 7:15 close enough. Patti set up with her maps and quick stop at donut shop. First stop anytime I head east on 20 is Duke's Truck Stop between Terrell & Canton. Love this place. They rate at the top of the bathroom scale. Plus there is lots to look at or eat or whatever you need to do. They also have a nice sized fenced in dog run for those traveling with pets. They do not currently have a website but here is exact local: I-20 Exit 523 / TX64 / Wills Point-Canton, west on TX64/Corky Boyd Avenue. Onward down 20. It was very gloomy out and I have to natural light or very bright light; if not my depression issues go out of whack ... read more

Thursday we were lazy. I didn't cook breakfast. We had spotted what I thought was just a neighborhood diner but was actually a pretty nice low key coffee house. I loved it - David nope too fru fru for him. Food was okay but coffee was amazing. We headed downtown to the check out some more churches I wanted to see. So pretty. Missed two I wanted to see but next time. Cristo Rey Catholic Church - this is a relatively new church and we didn't go inside but saw the outside and the pueblo building style for churches. Santuario de Guadelupe - Stunning. We went inside very quietly and had a peek around. The toured the grounds. http://www.ologsf.com/ Headed up the high road to Taos. Took a diversion to Santuario De Chimayo. This history here ... read more