Stefani finally speaks ;)

This road trip has been interesting All sorts of adventures, we finally made our way to Texas. A couple hours after we dropped Cherish off in Dallas, Texas. Me an my mom decided to stay in a hotel in Ennis, Texas, what we didn't know was it was cricket season. I kept wondering why I saw so many bugs I went to step out the hotel room an one jumped on me I don't think I have ever screamed so loud in my life. Later, I decided I wanted to go swimming so I decided to go ask the front desk if the pool was open, I got to the door an theirs about 30 crickets all around. (Now if you know me you know i'm terrified of bugs) I went to open the door an scream an ran away there was no way I could do it. So we went to the room. (Morning time) we got on the road an left for houston texas. We finally made it, on night I went to let my dog out an I was walking with her I go to turn the corner at
11 o'clock at night an I walk into the biggest spider I have ever seen in my life, which of course happens to be my greatest fear this has been beyond my worst bug experience in Texas, but i'm glad I got to share it with my mom an Cherish I wouldn't ask for it to be different we had so fun times on our road trip!(: haha

Cherish's Texas Finalle

OMG! I'm Wifi connected on the plane!!!!! As Kip would say - I love technology!

Somewhere on the sweltery streets of Dallas in between Steak houses, BBQ joints and tamale factories lies an oasis of veganisim: The Spiral Diner! I walked in, dripping with sweat from the 100 degree heat and was greeted by a man with very large ear plugs, a goatee down to his chest and a button that read: "go vegan". For a brief moment I felt like I'd been beamed back to downtown Olympia. But, truly it was Texas. Their shirt logos read: "Tastes like freedom" and they sold charms in the shape of Texas that said "go veg". I love it! Even the Vegans of Texas take great pride in their state and are seriously patriotic. I had a fabulous meal with great friends who were super sports!

I also had the unique opportunity to peruse a bar called Chicken Scratch. As you can imagine, there was nothing there for me to eat but the atmosphere was the novelty anyway. You park under something that looks like a modern metal barn and enter a courtyard created by old shipping containers decked out in old couches and funky niches of stools and tables. The middle section was a garden of cacti with picnic tables randomly located throughout. Of course I cannot tolerate such heat, so we enjoyed our beers inside the bar. There we met a tride and true Texan who said "oh shut up Hun, let me buy you gurls a beer" when I told him it was 50 degrees leaving Olympia. I felt very nostalgic experiencing my hometown culture for a couple hours.

I had an incredible time in Dallas visiting Julie, Jenny, Hai and Janet, and was 3 hours away from hopping a plane to join Monica in Houston when I found out Leia was sick. So, I changed tickets and headed back to Seattle on Saturday night. Of course I always miss my pups during my travels but when one gets sick I go into mommy mode. I do hope it's not a drama queen attention seeking behavior from Leia. She's such a princess and can be very theatrical. She doesn't take after her mom or anything....

So I head home minus my Cuban black beans, meeting Monica's family and without the final goodbye to Monica and Reba. I guess this means I have to go visit sooner than originally planned. But, this twist fits with our trip theme: all plans are null and void! I wonder how Monica and Stef fared....

Madisonville, TX at 10:33am CDT.

McKinney, TX at 7:53pm CDT.

Gainesville, TX at 6:40pm CDT.

Moundridge, KS at 12:10pm CDT.

Cherish

As I carefully and expertly ordered my Venti Soy iced quad shot latte this morning at a classy truck stop Starbucks in hip hoppin Kansas, I concluded that Southerners are coffee impaired. I mean seriously people Starbucks sends you to like coffee university and you can't figure out my order?? I am officially a pacific northwesterner if I can lean over the counter and instruct the "barista" what to push on the register to get my order accurate. Stick with what your good at southern friends: margaritas! But I am extremely grateful for my caffination this fine big sky morning.

We are headed to Houston today via Wichita, Oklahoma City, and Dallas. As an unscheduled adventure Monica is dropping me in Dallas for the night and I'm gonna meet her back in Houston Saturday for her mom's Cuban black beans and a final farewell before Stef and I fly back to Seattle Sunday.

Monica and I have planned this trip for months and months and it's funny how we've ended up winging the whole adventure. Nothing and I mean nothing has gone as planned. But there have been little triumphs along the way. Watching Reba get better is the number one victory! Finally finding soy protein at the Whole Foods in Ft Collins was a close second. I teared up and had to be dragged kicking and screaming from their incredible deli. Walking through a McDonald's somewhere in Kansas packed with a bus load of some of the hottest Latino men I've ever seen was quite exciting and staying up till 3 AM talking boys with Stef was entertaining as well!

See yall in Dallas!

Reba - Ruff! We got in van again this morning and started driving. I mean, I ruff ruff love car rides but I think my humans are taking that way too serious. We keep staying in new bedrooms then driving. Wish HAn and Leia was here cause they are not going to believe this!!! Waggy Ruff!!!! Re with love.

Mo'nica - Well, last night in Kansas, as I was getting in my car I heard my cell ring... As I went to answer it I realized I was hearing real crickets! That and the vast, never ending blue sky we enjoyed earlier in the day brings a tear to my eyes and relief in my heart that I am getting closer to the the place I love. Home. I am so happy.

Time for sleep. We drove over 900 miles today.

Whole foods, Fort Collins, CO at 5:18pm MDT in Fort Collins, CO.

Byrnes Crossing, WY at 9:04am MDT.

Wyoming at 9:02am MDT in Byrnes Crossing, WY.

Patty

Well let me tell ya somethin, these three gurls bottomed out bye bout 10 PM last niaght. I had to do a little refereein' and eventually had ta take over. Bless their hearts. I woan't go inta detail but it's been pretty intense round here now. But you guys don't worry, I've got tons of experience brakin' up cat fiaghts at the church margarita socials. I'm gonna get these gals to Amarillo by the end of the day lord help me. Yee haw.

But my current crisis is ta find these gurls a Starbucks. We are somewhere in wyomin and thares not a Starbucks anywhare I've never seen such a meltdown over coffee for heavens sake. And all this fuss bout soy milk. I'm findin out this veganisim's some serious buissness. They've even banned my pork rinds from the van. Say a prayer for these three.

Biggs Junction, OR at 9:16am PDT.

I would like to introduce you to the personalities in the van. Sorry for the confusing emails, I'm still doing trial and error with this program. Cheers!

The Players:

Mrs. Patty Barnet - Native Texan and big hair consultant to Cherish, Monica and Stef. Enjoys knitting, drinking margaritas with er gurls and church socials. Fav road trip food: pork rinds. Fav quote: "Liberty will come to those who love it" -George W. Bush

Monica - Native Texan and Friend to all earthlings. Enjoys singing to 80s music at the top of her lungs, dancing' the cha cha, hangin out with her adorable children and pooch, and exploring the world with her vegan sista. Fav road trip food- frozen green drink and fries. Fav quote- "Live the life you have imagined" - Henry David Thoreau

Cherish - reformed Texan, current Washingtonian and vegan socialite. Enjoys playing with her pups, discovering new restaurants and recipes, drinking wine with Patty and Monica and daydreaming about Italy. Fav road trip food- celery sticks and fries. Fav quote- "Around the corner there may wait a new road or a secret gate." -JR Tolkien

Reba - Washington mutt and spider bite victim survivor. Loves romping at the park with her best buds Han and Leia, cuddling with her humans and ripping up savory smelling napkins. Fav road trip food - anything from Sonic. Fav quote - "Reba, you want a snack?" - Monica

Stephanie - Oly girl and HS graduate. Enjoys riding horses, hanging with her friends and experimenting with wild hair dye. Fav road trip food- chips I guess. Fav quote- "Accept the things you can't change, but change the things you can't accept.

Troutdale, OR at 11:10pm PDT.