Anything can look beautiful in the right conditions. (Part 2)

Trip*Day 2*Part2

go here to read Part 1

All buckled, safely and soundly, it was back to the interstate for us. Within a few minutes, we discovered INSIDE Vanbi:

STOWAWAYS.

Yes, the sweet little ladybugs that had covered Vanbi like an out-of-hand case of measles had infiltrated our defenses (few) and were crawling among us (fun). However, when Meeka discovered a "big spider" creeping on her and started screaming in high-pitched hysterics, I pulled over.

First of all, it wasn't a spider.

Secondly, it wasn't on her, it was on her notebook.

Third, while this creature might wreak havoc on a pumpkin leaf, it wasn't about to hurt my girl in the least.

Once I calmed Meeka, and she got a better look at our creeping crawling travel mate, Meeka was quite taken by her latest buggy acquaintance. Clearly, this squash bug had become

We left Meeka's new friend on the side of the road.

Note to Friends: Please don't interpret this story parabolically. Thank you.

And my phone rang.

Now, may I ask you, when an unknown number rings on your cell phone, do you answer?

Just curious.

Because it could be the City calling to say, "Your water is running!" Or Ed McMahon to say, "The Prize Patrol and I are knocking on your door... where are you?" (Well, it could have been at the time. Rest in Peace, Ed. I'll never forget the hope you gave me.) Or the fire department, the IRS, a long lost relative, or my real mom (okay, I was not adopted, and that fact is REALLY obvious, but I had to throw that one in there for the benefit of others). So, what do you do?

Circumstances being what they were (but {Oh, the mystery!} I'm not telling what they were), I answered.

I was so very happy that I did.

You see, as I was driving across Texas en route to Ohio, Illinois, and the world, my bloggy friend Elena of Manwaring Moments was in commute across Idaho to a mutual bloggy friend, Jennifer of The Peterson's Go Public's birthday party. (Sorry, Jennifer, that I couldn't make it. I was rather busy at the time, you see.) She called to chat while we both drove, which was so much fun. You see, we are bloggy friends, but we had never met in person. I'm so happy to use the past tense HAD, because that is no longer so, but more will come of that in a few weeks when I get toward the end of this vacation posting. It was SO NEAT putting a voice with her inviting face. ;)

It's amazing how FLAT, BORING, NOTHINGNESS can be improved with friendly chatter. Truly a marvel. I don't know how long we chatted for, but I was entirely shocked at how soon I hit the western edge of Amarillo. I have made that commute quite a few times, and don't recall it ever being so much fun. Thanks, Elena!

On the very most Pacific side of Amarillo, there is an oddity that I think everyone should see once. I stopped there last year, as you might recall. I wish that this year I would have remembered to bring spray paint. Oh, well. It was the kids' first time, after all. They can learn to tag when they're older. *wink*

You may have already guessed that we were at

It was windy and my cell phone is all noise in windy, so I had to say goodbye to Elena.

My kids didn't know what to make of it. My question is, "Is there something to make of it?!"

After they got used to the ridiculousness, pointlessartness of it all, they decided that they liked

It's an art that is ever-changing, day to day, and has been for long enough to make the layers of paint over an inch thick. Ah, the texture of

It's rather amazing how car parts can be brought to life with the addition of a little color.

The sun was hot, and we were baking. It was time to go.

But not without another fence photo.

On the Atlantic side of Amarillo there is another oddity that I mark as an essential part of an I-40 road trip. The Britten water tower.

It has been that way for my entire life.

Long after crossing into Oklahoma (State No. 4), we trudged into Oklahoma City. We pulled off for dinner at nearly 9:00pm, just in time for a

Our destination for supper was a mid-west treat: Braum's.

I meant to order 3 hamburgers for the 4 of us.

I accidentally ordered 7.

Yes, 7.

What can I say? I was very tired, perhaps even a little frazzled. I was after all, the only parent, driver, and (questionably) sane person on this family road trip. After all!

I wasn't hungry enough to finish one. Thankfully the Meat Monster in Nevan awoke and ate two. Mayzie only ate two bites. That meant, nearly 4 leftover burgers.

But we thought it was awfully funny.

Perhaps, funny enough to have been worth the waste.

After we utterly failed to eat dinner, we ordered ice cream. Can you guess what color Meeka's was?

The kids were so very tired. They were extremely ready to find a hotel. But we had one more place to stop.

Where does one go at 10:30 at night in a city they are reasonably unfamiliar with con tres niños in tow?

Have patience. You'll find out soon enough.