Saturday, July 11, 2009

Life is a Journey...

...and we were 4 bloggers with Austin as our destination! Cheryl here with the adventures of our visit to Austin. It's a long story so get your coffee, or beverage of choice, and get comfortable.

At the beginning of the summer Claudia, Katie, Heather and I decided that since all four of us were in the same place we should take a day trip down to Austin to meet loyal reader Chaotic. Chaotic found her way to us through loyal reader, BKRoot from another site they are both members of- nervousness.org. Here is the power of the Internet- BKRoot posts a note about Highlowaha at Nervousness; Chaotic checks out BKRoots posted note and comes on over to Highlowaha. And the best part, she keeps coming back. And another best part- she lives in Texas.

We all checked our calendars which were full to the brim- overflowing actually. The business of summer vacations and family visitors in town eventually left Heather at home in DFW visiting with her mom. We missed you, Heather.


Our adventure began at 8:00 am on Sunday, July 5, 2009. And of course our first stop was Starbucks. In preparation for our trip, we had readers suggest times for us to perform magic. At the chosen suggested time, we the travellers would stop what we were doing and- and what? Well, we didn't know where we would be so we didn't know what we would be doing. We had several times to choose from but Chaotic completed some famous Highlowaha math suggesting we stopped 2 hours and 18 minutes into our trip. Since we left at 8:00 that gave us 10:18am. It seemed fitting.

So we settled into our drive with Katie in the Captain seat chatting about blog business discussing what we could come up to dazzle you. I, of course, got out my pen and paper and started counting Volkswagen Beetles. But that wasn't exciting enough so then I tried to get truckers to honk their horns for me. Let's continue...

I don't know if you know this about us but we are a serendipitous group. Let it happen. The integrity of the blog. Serendipity. So, as time was approaching we see a sign for an exit that has antique stores and shops at exit 323 but we decided we couldn't exit until 10:15am.
Exit 323 came and went.
Exit 322 came and went.
We're a little bit panicked now because what if there isn't another exit. What if we're just standing on the side of I-35 trying to count Volkswagen Beetles or begging 18 wheelers to honk their horns?

And then it happened.
Exit 319 straight ahead and it's 10:15am. Our designated time. We approach a road that has a sign that says "Cox Cemetery". That's it! We all are excited but there are no more signs to point us in the right direction. We hit a dead end! Time is ticking! We have to be there at 10:18. We drive the other direction and come to a road that looks like a back road to trouble. I'm pretty sure that's where crazed axe murders take their victims to neatly (or not so neatly) hide their limp dead bodies! There was a guy hanging out the door of his home- future axe murder? Gulp! I yell at him to ask for directions to the cemetery. He comes bounding up to the car with his axe and with an oily smile points us back down the road to trouble. [Insert scary scream hear.] (Okay, he didn't really have an axe and he looked like some normal Joe but you never know.)

We turn around AGAIN, and we're off-roading to no where. And then serendipity smacked us right in the face. There sits tucked away hiding from all the world the most wonderful, unkept, old cemetery with the most beautiful weather worn tombstones that I've ever seen. And I've seen a lot. I love old cemeteries. I'll let the pictures do the talking for a minute.


We wanted to use some Highlowaha random guidance so we called Heather to give us directions. We spread out and waited for how many steps we were supposed to take. We were climbing over tall, poky weeds and old, rusty iron fences and wildflowers trying to find our tombstone. We finally all land in a spot where we can all touch one.

But... You'll have to tune in tomorrow to see what we found and to hear the rest of the adventure when we finally get to Austin...

signing off until tomorrow... Yes, on Sunday!!

7 comments:

Robin said...

At least we know you made it out alive! Looks like fun! Can't wait to hear the rest of the story...

Now I am off to shul to celebrate the birthday of a 100 yo fabulous man! (He's the oldest congregant and Noa is the youngest!)

cassie p said...

sounds like a true HLA adventure so far...cant wait to hear the rest!

Peggy said...

Wow! Fun! What happens next? Three partners in crime with their "Charlie" on the phone!

Chaotic Kristi said...

those are some great pics!

Unknown said...

You guys are too much.

FYI everyone - today is FREE Slurpee day at 7-11

Claudia @ Highlowaha said...

Yes, it was every bit as fun and adventurous as it sounds.

I am reminded of how magical life can be when you leave room for serendipity and are open to what it might bring.

Tune in tomorrow to read Part II

heather said...

Peggy, you were in on the fun! I was on the phone and you were on im!!!