Mammoth and the furr-babies head South!

Thursday, April 4th

Today was the day we were headed to Montgomery, Texas, for the South Texas Chapter Rally. We had worked all weekend getting Mammoth re-loaded with all our gear that we had taken out for the trip to the factory. We also attempted another trip in the truck with the kitties. They still don't like it, but I guess they are getting better. A lot less weeping and gnashing of teeth! I also picked up a new hard-sided carrier, which has a top door, as well as the standard end door. This gives us the security they won't escape the carrier, and the room they need to be comfortable. We also filled up the BIG tank in anticipation of this trip and our next one to Durant, OK, next week.

When Tony came home for lunch, we hitched up the truck and pulled Mammoth out to the street. I loaded a few things, and got the stuff into the truck. All was ready except for loading kitties and us.

At 1pm, I watched the Memorial Service for the Kaufman County District Attorney and his wife, Mike and Cynthia McLelland. They were murdered in their home in Forney, TX. They were fellow church members at FUMC-Terrell. They were also RVers. Tony and I would have liked to have gone in person, but with our plans already in place, it just wasn't possible. Watching it live streaming online was the next best thing. The service was very fitting. Our Pastor and a former Pastor gave the opening prayer and a sermon during the service. Even Governor Rick Perry attended and spoke. He did a very good job of paying tribute and reassuring us that the criminals will be caught. We will keep the family in our prayers. BTW, if you happen to have a tip related to this crime, please contact the Kaufman County Crime Stoppers.

After the Memorial, I finished loading and got the kitties ready to go. Tony came home, and we all headed out. The drive was fairly easy, with lots of pretty bluebonnets and other wildflowers along the way. Once on I-45, we noticed more law enforcement personnel than usual. After a while, we realized why. The funeral procession would soon be headed down I-45 to Wortham, TX for the McLelland's burial. The law enforcement was staging to help control traffic as the procession passed.

wildflowers on I-45

Passing Sam Houston Memorial, outside of Huntsville

Stopped at Buc-ee's for Jerky

The kitties cried some, but after a while they settled down. We stopped about 3 times for restroom breaks and then to stop in at Buc-ee's for some Jerky!

We arrived at the KOA about 8pm, and it was very dark. They had left our map on the office door, and with a little work, we found our site in the dark and got set up. We immediately chowed down on leftover steak we had brought, then released the kitties into the coach. They did a lot of exploring, but seemed to be happy to be there (and no longer moving!).

Kittes settling into the Mammoth

Once it was bedtime, they joined us in bed, curling up between or beside our legs. Suddenly, the queen bed seemed too small for the four of us. All was good for about an hour, and the kitties were up and roaming around. Having a hard time ignoring their jingling tags as they jump and explore, I got up and watched them for a while... and scolded them when they tried exploring counters and other "off limits" areas. Luckily Tony had his ear-plugs in, and slept through it.

I was trying to drift off on the loveseat, but it's not long enough for comfortable sleeping. Especially when "Hefty" decides to sleep on top of my chest. We did this -- sleep for a bit, explore for a bit -- routine for a majority of the night. about 5am, I went back to the bedroom and we all finally crashed for a while. Whee, aren't traveling kitties FUN!