May 28, 2025: We made it to Waco, Texas yesterday afternoon. Our hotel was on the lower end of “good”. The AC was wonky. We had the front desk come and look at it and, of course, it didn’t make the noises while he was there. It was 10 degrees cooler so we decided to chance it This is the beginning of Arleen’s journey with me.
Today we drove downtown early (8 am) to the Silos. We were worried about getting a parking place. It was slightly raining so first come, first serve and we were the first, literally. The block of shops across from the Silos is owned, and was created by Joanna and Chip (as seen on their famous HGTV home renovation show). When I was down for two months with my ruptured Achilles tendon, I watched their whole series of reruns and saw when Joanna first discovered the Silos. The twin Silos stand silent, rusted, and unused. In their time, they produced and held cotton seed oil. Now they are just a landmark allowing tourists a good photo op. Magnolia Gardens became so popular Waco could not deny the popularity and, at some point, decided to declare it a point of interest. So there you are.
The Gardens are dog-friendly, really dog-friendly. We started our day at the Magnolia Press for coffee and muffins. In all honesty, the coffee was good but Texas just doesn’t know how to make good strong coffee. The kindly barista may or may not have allowed us inside, out of the rain. And so, the three of us sat on the vinyl couch. JoJo was given a Pup Cup – his first ever, and he was over the moon! He sniffed it once and then sunk his face into it 1/2″ deep. I allowed him three dunks before I cut him off. Obviously, we have an addict in the making.
We went into each little shop manned by 3 or 4 people each. It was nice to see how many people are employed there. Because they were not busy yet, each shop-worker group would crowd around JoJo. He was quite popular. In the larger shop a woman came up and cooed over him. He doesn’t like people to reach out to him but he will let someone special hold him. So she gladly held him and, in her lovely Texas accent, told me her story. She was a successful lawyer, in Los Angeles for 20 years until she got cancer. She came home, fought and won the battle, and just decided to work at something less stressful. She seemed genuinely happy in her life, and especially in that moment.
A few hours later we headed back to our hotel. The AC was off and would not turn back on. Dead as a doornail. I walked back to the front office and they walked back with me. I think they were a father-son team. Yep, it was dead. They gave us the room next door so we moved all our stuff and turned on the much-needed cool air. Crisis averted.
After a rest, we took off for a Texas BBQ joint where you choose your meal creation. I must say, the ribs fell off the bone but… like the coffee, the BBQ sauces left much to be desired. BLAH comes to mind. I thought Texans were tougher than that. Hey, I can say that. My mother was from Texas. She had enough “California” in her to enjoy the spicy stuff.
So that was our time in Waco, Texas. Once again, nice people. They just need someone to introduce them to strong coffee and sweet and spicy BB sauce, don’t you think?
Tomorrow, on our way to Alabama.
#ontheroadagain
P.S. Happy Birthday, Mom. I miss you. Will see you in Heaven one day.
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