Tyler State Park

We stayed for two nights at Tyler State Park in Tyler, TX. We arrived at night; cue the dark music... duh duh duhhhhhhhh! Trees by the road are normally okay, but this one leaned toward the road and we had to take a tight right turn by it and away from other campers. Did I mention that it was dark, really dark? We scraped the slide cover on the tree and bent it. I say we, because, I saw it and said nothing. Michael was able to take off the cover, no sweat! He rocks like that. Michael drove 99.999% perfectly and we were so close to our site. So frustrating. 

The next day after school, we went to go and see my Aunt Donna and Uncle Lindsey. Caleb woke up with a cough, but they told us to come anyways! We got to go outside and see their garden and irises! I looked through a huge book of beautiful pictures that Uncle Lindsey took of birds and irises while the kids watched some of the World Cup and played with Lincoln logs. Like his dad, my Great Uncle Ned, he is a master naturalist. Michael came over for lunch and we had TX brisket, sausages and pulled pork! DE-licious! 

The kids and I went with Aunt Donna and Uncle Lindsey to see my Great Aunt Betty at a nice retirement home while Michael had meetings. She is a lovely woman! She has a huge book of keepsakes from their 9th grade boys Sunday School class that my Great Uncle Ned (her deceased husband) taught. That was a big fat book. I smiled inside at all God's love and teaching that was given to so many youth! I bet they were fantastic teachers. I am proud of them and for Michael, who also has a heart to teach youth about God and His Word.

While I talked with Great Aunt Betty, Uncle Lindsey got on the floor and played games like slaps and thumb war with the kids. Aunt Donna explained that Great Aunt Betty had done all the research in our genealogy that extends back to 1620, when our family came over on a boat to Massachusetts. She also said that she had done all the research to become a DAR, a Daughter of the Revolutionary War. She said that I could be one too. Why would I want to be? I just don't know anything about it.

She also had a picture of Great Uncle Ned in his army uniform and there were lots of awards and colors framed around him. His job was to disarm bombs. He used to put on his uniform and go to lots of schools and assemblies and tell them about WWII. I wish I had sat by him and listened to his stories. He was also a master naturalist, and knew every creature and plant by name. He enjoyed drawing and painting them. Wow, I wish I could be a master naturalist, that sounds so cool! When I was little, I remember that he lay on the floor next to me in my room. I saw ferrets appear out of nowhere on a white sheet of paper. To me, it was so magical and loving.

Before I left my great aunt, I asked about the beautiful painting of a black and a white horse that were running together. She told me that when she was a little girl her great grandparents would give her warm milk. While she sipped, she stared at the painting. When they died she had asked for the painting, but never saw it again. With Great Uncle Ned, they traveled to 42 states together (including Alaska three times). They found the painting that was like the one her great grandmother had in a Washington state antique shop. I am glad they found one like it together! 

We headed to the house and had more TX BBQ, some delicious Rotel cheese dip and bananas. I really enjoyed the food and company!

On Tuesday, Asher and I went on a scooter ride around the state park. Boy, the asphalt was so bumpy it made my vision blurry. Asher was brave and went down this big hill and jumped off into the grass at the end. We walked on a trail that went around the lake. There were no beavers around the beaver pond area, that theme has continued for our RV whole trip. It was such a nice morning together! Michael packed up the RV. When we got back, it was time to leave and head to Louisiana.