Operation Trick or Treat
Shhhhhh….. Look under the pumpkin and see what you find???
Ok folks. Hopefully I have hidden this deep enough in the website that Roseanna won’t find it.
I am doing something crazy. I am driving 1000 miles from Dallas to Martin, SD so that I can surprise Roseanna for her birthday. The plan is to leave the office mid afternoon on Tuesday, Oct 30 and drive until I get tired, spend the night somewhere along the way (hopefully not a truck stop), and make it Martin in time to put on my costume and “trick or treat” at Roseanna’s front door on Halloween evening.
It’s going to be a fast trip for sure. Stay tuned for updates along the way. I will blog the experience and add photos as I can. Special thanks to Sue for letting me have the days off.
Everything is packed up and ready to go. I called Mel tonight to let her know the plan was moving forward. After reminding me how far of a drive it was and silently thinking I have lost my mind, she admonished me to check in frequently and drive carefully. That is the mom in her.
2pm and i am leaving the office enroute to sodakland.
Just passed thru Sanger Texas. only 895 miles to go
Welcome to Oklahoma. Isnt there a song about this place? 319pm making good time
Oklahoma city is in my windshield . Lots of cops. glad i have xm radio.
6:24pm Gas and comfort stop just south of the Kansas line. Talked to my friend in Hutchinson KS, Michelle, who suggests I stay in Hayes Ks on I-70. Thats about 4 hours away and will make tomorrow an easier drive. Gas 3.09 gal for premiem. Gotta get going…….
8pm. KFC and a coke in Newton KS. Pressing on
I really like these updates. Hope by now you have stopped somewhere for the night. A good night’s sleep would be good after a long drive. Kansas sounds like such a long ways away…when you were just here a few hours ago. I’ve never heard of Hayes, hope they have a hotel there!!! Keep posted, drive carefully and stop often!!! Yes, my e-mail news update says 9 PM for debates… Love you….Mom
10:30pm and I am glad I listened to Michelle. I just setled in at the Sleep Inn in Hays KS for the night. Its in northwest KS just south of the Nebraska line. Tomorrow i will head up through Nebraska. I am about 400 miles outside of Martin right now. I have killed every bug between here and Texas; evidence is all over my truck.
6:30am Wednesday: The Sleep Inn, you ask? What can I say.It was a bed and a shower. I slept good, and it got cold and windy over night. I have found the plains, I believe because its pretty flat in these parts. I am at IHOP because I was warned this town may well be the last major civilization I see until, well, until I am on my wa back. They even have a Wal-Mart here. I have several conference calls today that will keep me busy along the way today.
8:33 Hello Nebraska state line. I love these back state roads. No traffic Wish I was in the Charger.
Wow, you’re making good time…..up early this morning!! Now you’re really getting into uncivilized country. Hope all of the technology works…..Almost 9:30 AM here, no telling where you are by now. By the way, I’m glad you’re not in the Charger…..
11:15 North Platte Nebraska. Stopped for a coke and to catch up on email. Also poated a few pictures using my wirelesscard. need to find a Starbucks and a car wash.
2:30pm and 54 miles outside of Martin. Getting pretty bare around here.
I made it to Martin around 3pm Texas time. As soon as you enter Bennett County the time turns back by an hour to Mountain time. Because I was so ahead of schedule, I decided against waiting until dark to surprise Roseanna as a trick or treater. I would have had to hide out for 5 hours. Instead, I called her on the phone, making small talk, until I pulel dinto her driveway and started blowing my horn. When she figured out it was me we went crazy! Fun stuff. She was totally surprised. After the shock, she fed me and showed me around the house. She has really done a great job with the place. She has a lot of plans for more stuff as well. We took a quick, and I mean QUICK, trip into town. Its close. 100 feet or so. She knows everyone in town. We also went by her brother, Troys, place. Tonight she is baking mexican pizza and I guess we will watch movies whiel the kids trick or treat. ROokie and Lieu are cute as ever. I will get a good picture of them later.
We will hang around tomorrow and go to Rapid City on Friday to see Opal (Roseanna’s mom) if Opal if feeling okay after her treatments, and we may stay the night and see Mount Rushmore.
Looks like so much fun!!! Roseanna looks great, and her stuff looks great in the house. I keep forgetting Roseanna isn’t next door…sometimes I think I’ll e-mail her about an estate sale, or the other day they had a sale on pumpkins and thought I’d pick up one for her. There was 1001 kids by, the candy ran out and when the kids got as big as me, I turned out the lights and shut the door. Lots of traffic in the neighborhood. Hope you both are having a great Halloween night. Don’t let the ghosts and goblins bite!!!
love you…..mom
It not only worries me that you were driving 110 miles per hr, but worse, you were at the same time taking pictures of the speedometer. And were you at the same time sending an e-mail or a text message?
But, nevermind, I don’t worry…….
Nice updates Chris, say hi to Roseanna for me! I love to see all the pictures of her town and her home – all those windows in her livingroom.are greatness! Why are you not under snow? Don’t they have… I think they call them “Seasons”… up there? I hope you brought your passport so you can get back into Texas when you return!
Well folks, Chris went insane. I nearly had a heart attack when he called on my cell yesterday afternoon and told me to come to the front door and then he proceeds to honk. OMG! He was the best Bday present I have EVER had. I think we are planning on running up to Rapid City & the Black Hills via the Rez tomorrow and then staying overnight somewhere up there. Mom & Dad want to take us to lunch and visit with Chris a bit. She had her chemo on Wed so we shall play it by ear on that. I was so excited last night I couldn’t get to sleep until 2am. Chris was just wasted tired as he did a LOT of driving. Now we know it can be done. Wait until you see his costume. He was here for all the Martin Halloween T or T festivities. I had 270 baggies of candy ready but only about 100 kiddos. Now what am I going to do with all that candy?
Candy??? Eric can take care of that.
Roseanna and I went to lunch with her sister, Connie, today. She wanted to take Roseanna out for her birthday and I tagged along. After that we went to buy a freezer so Roseanna would have some cold storage for the winter. While she was having her hair done, I caught up on some work and a TON of email. Weather is nice, sunny, mid 50s daytime, 30s at night. News of my arrival in town has definately been well circulated.
I am so glad you made it ok. That is quite a costume! Happy Birthday R. Looks like you are enjoying your surprise. Have a fun weekend.
Roseanna and I headed out first thing this morning. She chose to be my driver for the day and she has taken me on a wonderful tour of Pine Ridge, and into Rapid City to see her folks for a birthday lunch at Red Lobster, one of her favorite places. It was great to see Dean and Opal again after so many years. They have a nice apartment in Rapid City where we went to after lunch for birthday cake. When we left we headed straight for Mount Rushmore. I know you can see it online or on a postcard but until you actually see it in person its hard to understand how majestic it really is. After some pictures there, we went to Prairie BErry winery in Hill City, and the on to Custer where we found the last available room at a Super 8 motel. We are about to head out for dinner. Tomorrow we will go see Crazy Horse and then head back to Martin. It has been great spending time with Roseanna andher family.
I love the pictures on the website. The Mount Rushmore pictures reminded me of “West by Northwest”, the old Cary Grant movie. Deers in the road, moose walking through the town….you guys have seen a lot of local color. Deadwood is where some of the poker tournaments I watch on TV are….they bring the big jackpot, sometimes over a million dollars out and put it on the table when the last two players are there. Indians dressed in their finery bring it out, dancing and whooping. Very impressive. The house looks really nice, and of course the views are great. Glad you are both having a good time. Keep me updated…..Love you…..Mom
Hey, Somehow I wasn’t surprised to hear Chris drove all the way to Sodakland to see Roseanna for her B-day. Thats Chris…..
Chris slow down on the way home, I know you can drive but like your Mom I worry (being a mom myself) LOL. I loved the pictures you posted they were great and your right she doesnt look any older….He He
You guys enjoy the visit , which I have no doubt you will.
Love Ya,
Jackie
Enjoyed all the pictures & everybodies comments .This is great when you can’t be there .We enjoyed Chris & Roseannas visit & had a good time at lunch .Those two are fun to be around . Hope Chris slows down on the way home .Wonder how many speeding tickets he got .He would never tell . Neb. is tough on speeders .Most of their roads are only 60-65 mph as is So Daks .I don’t think Texas has 90-100mph speed limits either .I might remind Chris that we’ve been thru a lot of Texas country that would make So Dak look heavenly in comparison . I’m waiting for the Buffalo picturesif they see any .They just had a big Buffalo sale so they may be back in the hills hiding out .Don’t get to close Chris .Those horns can be awful sharp . take care Opal
Chris, Mindy wants to know if you had on tights with that costume. I think your profile should be up there on that mountain. First the Mansfield City Council, then on to bigger and better things. We agree with the slow down sentiments coming home. They probably just love to give speeding tickets to Texans in Kansas.
Hi everyone….
We had a terrific day today. After breakfast we headed over to the Crazy Horse memorial. I have posted the pictures, but the pictures just do not do this monument justice. Its a pretty incredible experience and I could not help buit be moved by the story of the monument, its history and its future.
After spending a couple of hours at Crazy Horse, Roseanna took me to Custer State Park where we drove through the wildlife loop. It is a great time of year to visit South Dakota because it is off season and we did not have to fight any crowds of people at Custoner (or at Mount Rushmore or Crazy Horse). We saw heards of buffalo, antalope, and wild turkey. It was some of the most beautiful park land I have ever seen.
On our way back to Martin we stopped at Wall Drug and you can see those photos as well. I don’t know why I have not heard of the place before, but if you are traveling down I-90, it is a must see.
We made it back to Roseanna’s house right before dark and visited with her brother Glenn, his wife Kathy, and kiddos Sylvia and (little) Dean. They are just a few of the many family members and friends of Roseanna’s I have got to visit with since I have been here. I enjoyed seeing Opal and Dean again yesterday, and prior to Thursday it had been years since I had seen sister, Connie. It was also fun to meet Manuel and all of the Smith family kiddos – neices and nephews of Roseanna’s who obviously love her dearly.
As I look back on this experience, I am so glad that I made this trip. It was something I needed to do – - and though I wanted to do it for Roseanna, I realize now that I needed it just as much for myself. I didn’t know what to expect, and even up until the time I arrived here I was a little skeptical of what I would find. I have missed Roseanna so terribly that I guess deep down inside I didn’t want to accept her new life here. Driving through the desolate lands of Kansas and Nebraska, I thought South Dakota would be the same. The truth is, this is a charming little town and I can see why she wanted to be back here with her family. She makes a big difference in the lives she touches and she is really needed here. Moreover, she needs to be here. Her house is the center of activity for her family and friends, and she just loves it. I guess the best way to describe Martin SD is, in a single word, “uncomplicated”. I never could have understood this place without seeing it for myself and seeing how Roseanna fits into it. My world of corporate decisions, fast-paced business driven meetings, and local politics is so far away from anything I have seen here. Roseanna is fortunate that she is at a point in her life where she has paid her dues, and she can now sit back and enjoy life at a slower, less complicated pace. I am glad to report that she is doing fine here, and both she, and the people of Martin, SD, are in great hands. As much I hated to see her move, Opal was right in an email she sent to me in June….she said: “you’ve had her for 25 years, its our turn now.” Agreed.
Mel, report to Mindy that the costume did indeed come with tights but, not wanting to scare my new friends here in SoDak, I opted for a pair of Wal-Mart sweat pants instead.
Opal – - You are right about Texas. Very open areas, mile after mile of nothingness there as well. I think Nebraka and Kansas are still a struggle to embrace, but I have really found South Dakota to be much different than I expected. I saw one, maybe two, trees in Kansas. South Dakota, on the other hand, has such a variety of topography. I just never realized how beautiful it was here until I saw it for myself.
All – I intend to go home much slower. I wont be in such a hurry. I didnt know how long it woudl take to get here, and I really wanted to make it to SoDak as soon as I could. Now that I know the time better, I will go slower going home. I plan to leave early in the morning, and stop somewhere along the way in time to watch the Dallas Cowboy game in the evening.
Roseanna and Family – Thank you so much for your warm hospitality. You have made the last few days a memorable and wonderful experience for me.
Love the pictures! Drive safely Chris.
607am Central – Merriman Nebraska: On the road. Roseanna I didnt want to wake you up. Love you.
As always, you have seen and done everything available to see and do. Looks like there’s more to see and do up there than I thought, just a drive between sights. On the road again, I’m glad you decided to slow down….did you remember to reset your clocks to “fall back” time. Cowboy game tonight, you won’t want to miss that. I’ll keep you posted on the Nascar race 2:30 today. Drive safe…Love, Mom
821am Central: North Platte Nebraska – fuel and comfort. 34 degrees. Burrr.
11am York Nebraska – Just got on 135 South. 603 miles to Mansfield Just paid 3.49 gal for mid grafe.
147pm Wichita Kansas Turnpike
624pm Dallas county Line
701pm Made it to Mansfield just in time for the Cowboy game. 13 hours and some change from Martin SD. Yes I am a bit tired and there is no way I could have done this on a normal traffic weekday. It will be good to sleep in my own bed rather than a hotel room tonight.
Chris, Thanks for all the wonderful pictures and all the news of your trip. You know I am jealous that you got to go see Roseanna but am so glad you did. I called you yesterday but you were probably out of any service area. Roseaana and family look great and I am so very glad she is happy, I miss her something awful but I know she is where she needs to be. Can’t wait to see you, but please don’t drive so fast and do so many things while driving. I don’t worry about your driving but do worry about the others on the road. Tell your Mom I said Hi and don’t work to very hard LU
This was the best birthday present EVER! Imagine my heartstopping surprise when Chris calls me to chat and then tells me to go to the front door where he commences to honk his horn. We had the best Halloween with friends & family. In this town you just drop in and there is a pot of coffee and beverages for all. A wonderful bday lunch Friday at Red Lobster in Rapid City courtesy of Dad & Mom (cake afterwards of course), then it was off to the Black Hills. Mount Rushmore, Hill City (Prairie Berry Winery’s new digs. WOW), Custer, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, and finally Wall Drug Store in the middle of the Badlands off I90. I don’t think Chris was quite prepared for that place but the food was good and they have the best pie and cake donuts anywhere! Did you know he sneaked out of my house about 6:30am Sunday? I was trying to be very quiet and creeping around so I wouldn’t wake him up and then I discover he was GONE. That boy made good time and drove straight through to Dallas, arriving just in time for the Cowboys game at 7:15 Big D time. I used to drive like that when I was a youngster and stationed at San Antonio while in the Army, but this was just crazy. Nobody else try the one day turnaround por favor. I am glad you made it home safely Chris. You are right. I love my uncomplicated life, family & home town friends. But I miss you and my Big D family every minute of every day. The coffee pot is always on. Love, Roseanna
Well you did your usual fantastic picture log & I really enjoyed it as its been a long time since I’ve seen all those things . I’ts just like any state you live in .You never go see any of the sights in your own state . I know Roseanna must have enjoyed it just as much as it’s been a long while for her to . Enjoyed your visit Chris & come again when you save up enough to put Gas in that huge truck you were driving . Martin will have a lot to talk about this long cold winter .They probally think Roseanna was entertaining the Texas Mafia with that Big black truck sitting in the driveway Opal
Don’t worry Mom. Chris & I started lots of rumors while he was here. hehhehheh. But you are right, I think he is related to one of the Sopranos.