April 9, 2008 ~ Wildflower Tour 2008 Intro

Don and I started a little tradition with my mom and 2 aunts a couple of years ago. We load everyone up and go on a little wildflower tour through the Hill Country. However, we haven't been able to go since 2005 because mom wasn't up to it. But she has been feeling really good as of late and so we decided to give it a try. We left Weatherford on Thursday, picked Barbara up south of Mineral Wells, got mom in Hamilton and then on to Austin for the night. This was the first time Mom had stayed overnight anywhere since she broke her hip back in July 2005. She was SO excited. Polly had picked our rental van up just before we got there. However, she didn't look in the back to see that it wasn't going to be big enough for luggage and a wheelchair. But we managed it for the night. The highlight of this day was going to El Patio and having my favorite dish, Guacamole Cheese Enchilada's. MMMmmmmm.... After El Patio, Mom wanted to drive down Congress Ave and reminisce as she had worked in a dress shop there back in the 40's. Friday morning Don and I went to exchange the van for a bigger one and to pick up breakfast. As we pulled up to the Taco Shack (about 3 miles from Enterprise Rental) it started to pour down rain. We ran inside, ordered and waited. About the time our order was ready it was REALLY coming down. We decided to make a break for the van. Just as I got to the van, it started hailing. Don was fumbling around w/the lock trying to get my door unlocked and I'm getting drenched just hoping that the hail doesn't get me. I get in the van just as the hail starts pummeling us. It just beat the crap out of the van. Which by the way only had 2000 miles on it. Luckily Aunt Polly had taken out the extra coverage to cover any damages. So that was good! So this brings us to the start of the trip and pictures to come....