Geekology 101: "There and back again, A families journey to Texas" by Bilbo Baggins

Okay, maybe not by Bilbo Baggins, but I couldn’t think of a better title for our little excursion to the Lone Star State.

As I said in my last column, I was a little apprehensive about our first venture half way across this great nation of ours. Especially with two little ones screaming in the backseat the whole way down. (Or so I was envisioning)

Plus, I developed this horrible stomach disease and a 103° fever the day before we were to embark.

This quickly put our trip into a “wait and see” status. If the fever didn’t break, our trip was going to have to be put on hold.

But, God willing, my fever broke and we were on our merry way on Friday morning.  

Though I was still apprehensive, and now a little weaker, about the kids and their ability to stay seated the whole way there and back again.

I got to say, though, it was incredible. I mean, there were times that I forgot they were there. They were so quiet and patient.

Plus, if Declan needed anything, Liam would do his best to get what he needed before asking Mommy or Daddy for help.

It was a magical journey and one I will likely have a hard time forgetting as proud papas do sometimes.

Then, to top it all off, they were perfect little angels the whole time we were there. I was beaming.

Oh, there were a few days where the little stinkers ventured out from their room, while everyone was sleeping, to raid Uncle Tony & Aunt Debbie’s candy jars.

Other than that, they were perfect.

Unfortunately, like everything else, good things always come to an end.

I don’t know if it was the drastic change in the weather.

I guess going from 70s & 80s in Texas to 30s and 40s in Missouri will do that to a kid.

Heck, even I got a little grumpy.

All in all, though, it was a good trip. We got to see lots of family and friends.

Plus, I finally was able to pick  my new Big 12 team, since Missouri is now a part of the SEC.

I don’t know why, I just feel this need to root for a Big 12 team.

So my brother Tony, who is a big Texas Longhorns fan reminded me that we used to root for a Nascar driver as kids together.

When that driver passed away, we hadn’t reconnected on anything else since then.

Oh, when my Eagles get knocked out of the playoff hunt, I usually end up rooting for his Steelers.

But, we have never rooted for the same team. So when he suggested that I pick the Longhorns, at first, I threw up a little in my mouth.

Since I was a little kid, I have always had this dislike for the Longhorns. Maybe it was because everyone else rooted for them and I wanted to be different.

Anyway, the more we talked about it, the more it made sense. So we rushed out to the nearest store and bought me a new hat.

Oh, I will still root for the beloved Missouri Tigers. This way, though, I can still pal around with my Big 12 based friends.

Still feels a little weird though.

It is almost like going several hundred miles with two little kids and forgetting they were there because they were so good.

It was a weird trip indeed but one I will never forget for a long time.  

Gary Darling is the geekiest employee at the Maryville Daily Forum. His email is:  gdarling@maryvilledailyforum.com. Drop him a line sometime!