Day 43: In my mind (and car) we're going to Carolina

US 421 is a beautiful entry into the state near the Blue Ridge Parkway below.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow are all about getting home. I guess we’ve taken in all we can at this point, kind of like filling up at a buffet – there’s a lot more that can be eaten, but you’re about to bust so you stop. That’s where we are. There were a few other places we really wanted to go and people we would have liked to have seen, but we’re ready to be home.

This was another long day in the car – about 11 hours driving I think. We lost an hour when we crossed into Roan Co., TN and moved from Central to Eastern time. On top of that we had to take a detour. I-40 is closed west of Asheville due to rock slides, so that added some time to the trip.

The detour took us places we had never been, leading us to Johnson City and Elizabethton, TN, over the mountains on two lane US 421 through Appalachia through Boone, Wilkesboro and to our last night’s stop in Statesville. The mountains and streams were pretty. Now we know where NC gets our Christmas trees.
(That's a hillside planted with Christmas trees over the guard rail.)

And from the TN line to Boone in what appeared to be sparsely populated hollows and hills there had to have been a Baptist church every mile. No other churches – just Baptists. But why so many?

I enjoyed the fact that the highways were named for Merle and Doc Watson (I'm a bluegrass fan)and Junior Johnson (but not a NASCAR fan). What else in these western NC hills?

Logan’s Roadhouse is one of our favorite restaurant chains, and there is one near our motel. So we cracked open a few peanuts and enjoyed their excellent rolls and steak salad. Now we’re in for the night. My laptop won’t get online for whatever reason (the only such problem I’ve had the entire trip – go figure), but Gail’s is on line. So I’m writing this while watching the NCAA tourney. Glad to see ODU upset Notre Dame earlier. Now if Wake can beat the Longhorns.

We should be home late Friday afternoon. The only planned stop is at the Red and White in Dortches to pick up some of the world’s best sausage.

Day 42: On the way home

We had some good conversation over coffee this morning with our long-time friend Terri. She and Dave ministered with us long ago in a galaxy far far away.

Within about 200 yards from Dave and Terri's is a church pastored by Bill Carter, who was on the church staff with me in Tulsa 30 years ago. I couldn't be so close without stopping in to say "Hi". An added bonus was finding out his wife Norma was at the church office as well. Bill was a great guy to work with. His kids were in my care and he was a great encourager to a young, green youth pastor.

By 12:30 we were on the road again, traveling through NE Oklahoma to Ft. Smith, AR and eastward. I-40 in Arkansas starts with rolling hills, then takes you along the southern edge of the Ozarks, eventually leading to the low lands of the Mississippi. Along the way we stopped for dinner in Conway at The Whole Hog Cafe, a barbecue place recommended by friend Russell Stewart who rode his own hog" from Cabot to meet us there. It was very good...but we still like eastern NC bbq like this one better!

Gail took over the wheel from Conway and while I got some nap time drove us across the Mississippi into Memphis, TN, passing among other places the St. Jude's Children's Hospital and ultimately to Jackson (home of Casey Jones), where we're crashing for the night.

I was trying to think how many times I've driven this highway over the years. A bunch over the last 40 years. Tennessee is a long stretch on I-40, but we'll emerge tomorrow evening in NC and cross over the Smokies.

It's time to go home!

Gail here - I woke up this morning a little giddy, knowing that we were heading home. I have loved this trip, but am ready to get home, especially to see my kids and 2 babies.

[She was only slightly more giddy than when she saw the Elvis act at Disneyland. Anyone know what that pyramid is at the foot of the Mississippi River Bridge?]

Day 41: Tulsa Time

Tuesday morning Dad and I drove over to his church and I spent some time getting to know Jeff and Byron. Both guys are on the church staff and are doing great work there in ministry. I think FBC Hugo has a great team!

After lunch we said our goodbyes to Mom and Dad and headed north to Tulsa. In about 2 hours and 15 minutes we were back in familiar territory. Gail and I lived here for 27 months back in '78 through '80. I worked as the youth pastor of Tulsa Baptist Temple; Gail taught 6th grade at Moody Christian School We drove through some of the places we knew well at one time, including the church, the site of the school (now no longer in existence), and the townhouse we called home during most of our time there.

Standing in the front of our old church in Tulsa.

Gail's at the door of what was her 6th grade classroom as a teacher. The property is now up for sale.

The old home place at 32nd and Hudson.

We chanced upon the Casa Bonita restaurant, where we had eaten back in the day. Inside they have done a great job creating the look of a Mexican pueblo. If only they put that much effort into the food! It was just as we remembered...not very good, especially if you know good Mexican cuisine. But for the memories' sake we ate and wondered aloud why.

Our friends Terri Hollingsworth and Betty Middaugh, upon learning when we would be in town began to invite friends from our days here. It was pretty much last minute, but the group that came were all special to us, and we had a wonderful time sharing memories and photos from the past, and hearing about their lives since then.

Some of the people who we served and served with in youth ministry in Tulsa.

One thing that I've enjoyed so much about this trip has been the opportunities to re-connect with old friends, many we haven't seen since the 1970's. Friendships made within the family of God are eternal, and these reunions have been a reminder to us of God's grace and the joys we've had in ministry over the years.

Looks like tomorrow we'll be pointing the Toyota east for good and making the trek back to the starting point of our journey. The odometer went over 7,000 miles today! I haven't counted how many photos, but we must have taken hundreds.

Day 40: Monday in Hugo and Schooler Lake

I'm a day behind in updates, so this morning I'll catch up. If I'm able, I'll post again tonight with pics from a reunion we're having in Tulsa.

Monday was day 40, but I'm not changing the title of the blog. It was a guesstimate, and we won't be too far off. If all goes as "planned" we'll be back home by the weekend sometime. Weather coming over the mountains looks warm and sunny the next few days.

Dad and I met his pastor, Doug McLure and his dad for breakfast at the local diner at 8AM. He had lots of good questions about what we're doing at NHC. Good conversation and pretty good food, too. Hugo is not the cuisine capitol of anywhere, that's for sure. It's a fairly depressed town. But the one-up they have on the OBX: a Super Wal-Mart!

The afternoon was spent at brother Mark's home on Schooler Lake. He grilled burgers and dogs and we sat out on his deck overlooking the lake. A picture perfect day for that. Ben showed me his knives and guns (he's the hunter in the family). Luke showed us his fort - a three story compilation in the trees. Then he went fishing while Ben stacked firewood he had split. Real country boys.

After dinner back at the folks we went to Braum's for ice cream. Now there's a good thing about Oklahoma! I even donned my new hat just to say I did.

After lunch today we'll say goodbye and head north up the Indian Nations Tpke to Tulsa where we have a reunion tonight with a lot of our old youth group from Tulsa Baptist Temple, where I was the youth pastor back in 78-80. I'll bet all those teenagers are now old people.

Road Inspired Songs

Lots of songs have been inspired by places we've been on this trip. As you think of them while driving they can get stuck in your head and come out of your mouth, too.

Here are some of the songs that we've thought of as we've traveled.

Click here. Then you can click on the links and listen, too.

Day 39: 6th Sunday Gone

One of the reasons I'm able to enjoy the trip and relax is that I know things back home at NHC are in such great hands. In fact, the reports I glean from Facebook and comments here indicate there's no need for me to return any time soon!

Today we attended FBC Hugo, OK, where my parents and brother fellowship. It was our first time at this downtown church. The youth pastor, Byron Smith has become a friend because of his participation at NHC's "The Call" in past years. I went to Sunday School (it's been a long time since I've done that!) with Mom and Dad. Their teacher did a super job handling a tough passage (1 Cor. 5 and 6) on immorality in the church and church discipline. Lots of lively discussion!

Pastor Doug McLure then followed up perfectly with a message on forgiveness that was one of the best on that subject I've heard. Who doesn't need to be reminded of forgivness and how as Christians we either forgive or we become disobedient and entrapped by whatever/whoever has hurt us? Ephesians 4:31-32 is one passage a Christian can't escape or ignore and be a Christ-follower, worshipper or witness.

Mark and his family joined us for lunch then a fun afternoon. It's been a good Sunday and a relaxing visit so far.

Latest Pics - Traveling and family

The pre-dawn lights of Albuquerque with the Sandia Mountains to the east.

Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

Supposedly the largest cross in the Western Hemisphere. The billboard said something about a "spiritual experience". I don't get it. But then, I'm not a Texan.

Ben showing off his ten pointer!


With Mom, Dad, brother Mark and his three kids in Oklahoma.