Across the Country and Back - Pt 5

The next stop on the homeward journey was in Grover, Missouri to visit Stacie and Tom and the kids. This was an unusual visit for two reasons. The first is that I only stayed with them for four nights, I usually stay 10 or 12 days when I fly or just drive to their house. The second unusual thing was that Tom and I didn't have a half marathon scheduled or Stacie and I a race. Because of my knee surgery running was off the table. With the kids in school and Tom and Stacie both working we made the most of the time that we had to visit.

The first night that I got there Tom grilled and then we all watched the St. Louis Blues hockey team in the NHL playoffs. I got so invested in their excitement that I watched one more game with then, games in motels while I was on the road and their next series with the San Jose Sharks after I got home. The highs were high and the lows were low as is so often the case when you're following a team whether it be youth or professional.

The next morning we had breakfast on the deck and then Tom and Stacie were tied up a good part of the day shuttling the kids to multiple birthday parties. I am still amazed at what a great job they do keeping up with their kid's activities and still making time to have a quality family life and make time for each other. It has certainly been a big help for them having Jackie live so close. That night we walked to dinner where I had my favorite meal at El Maguey. On the way home we stopped to watch the baby ducks and geese at a small pond near the house.

Since I couldn't run and was trying to get stronger by walking I went to a new trail close to their house and had a really nice hike. It was so quiet and pretty with views overlooking the river and the Meramac Valley. There was a lot of small wildlife and birds. Man did I want to run that trail! Maybe someday.

That afternoon we went to Haley's softball practice. My goodness, talk about herding cats! I can't believe that my coaching career started coaching little kids in tee ball and basketball. Wow!

Chase getting a dose of what its like for Haley being a "Hockey Sister"!

We finished the day off with pizza at home and another Blues game.

My last day there I went to Half Price Books and for the first time in a long time walked out without buying anything for me or anyone else. It was weird, I felt completely overwhelmed by the selection and just decided to look around and if nothing jumped out at me then leave without buying. In fairness I had already bought over 15 or 20 books on the trip so far.

It was a fun part of the trip and great seeing everyone.

Making Banana Bread and it was good!!!

The next day it was off to Colorado!