Leaving Orlando on I – 75
. The late afternoon finding the newlyweds having secured and loaded their Budget rental truck, and Sammi, Fran’s Deer Chihuahua readied for the journey west. A concern about Fran, as they said farewell to her Granada Drive residence, and the memories of the past harboring with inn. With the exertion of moving, the lateness of the hour, and Gary’s aversion to driving at night in unfamiliar surroundings, it was decided to get a bite to eat and spend a final night in the Orlando area. A morning awakening at the Best Western Mount Vernon Inn in Winter Park, the rental truck discovering Interstate 75, the north south, central corridor of Florida. As the hours passed, Gary not fathoming the length of the sunshine state, the drive finally intersecting Interstate 10 in the Florida Panhandle, providing a westward turn.
. The rental truck with its 55 mph governor was going to make a long journey seem even longer. Crossing the Alabama state line, saying goodbye to Florida, not realizing the interstate distance to cross Alabama from Florida to Mississippi in this part of the state was only 62 miles. Coming into view, entering the George C Wallace tunnel beneath the Mobile River, exiting with a panoramic view of the cities high-rises. Having spent over 10 hours on the road, Mobile was designated for the night’s stay. Gary being aware the interstate motels would be located on the outskirts of the metropolitan area, and more than likely an exit sign posting for food and lodging.
. The threesome spending the night at a motel 6, courtesy of a food and lodging interstate posing. once again traveling west on Interstate 10, a 70 mile sprint across the lower part of Mississippi at 55 mile per hour. Once in Louisiana at the interstate exchange, 10 goes south to New Orleans, interstate 12 is inaugurated for 85 mile to Baton Rouge, where interstate 10 its westward trek resumes crossing the Mississippi river. the iconic waterway hosting the vessels of commerce, as it continues on its 2,340 mile journey to the gulf. Still another 10 hour journey, A brief Sammi stop in Beaumont Texas, the home of the 1901 Spindletop oil field, and the gusher which blew in for 9 days, at a rate estimated at, 100,000 barrels of oil per day, and led the United States’ into the oil era.
. Continuing on the travelers leaving interstate 10 at Houston to travel north on interstate 45, the couple calling it a day at Conroe Texas. A feeling of home, the congenial lady behind the motel counter addressing him with that slow Texas southern draw. Gary having traveled for several years in Texas from his band playing days, recognizing the commonality of these gracious people. The couple spending their second night on the road before resuming their trip north on Interstate 45. Gary appreciative of Fran’s knowledge diversity, there being no lack of conversation because of subject matter. The driver with the pedal to the metal or a reasonable facsimile, happy to be back on familiar turf as they journeyed thru Dallas, boarding interstate 35 towards the Red River with Oklahoma looming.
. The rental truck arriving in Oklahoma City, a surrogate home to Gary for almost twenty years. The drive to 3019 Southwest hundred 24th Street was second nature, his daughter Marlo’s family sharing half of her mother’s duplex. Gary ringing the doorbell, not receiving a response, stepping next door, Kaye coming to the door, somewhat startled to see her ex-husband, presuming that he was still in California, having no idea that he had journeyed to Florida and now was married. Gary briefly explaining the situation, having detoured to Oklahoma City so Marlo could meet Fran. Kaye briefly saying, Marlo, Chris and the Kids were at a house they were looking at in Moore, giving him directions. Gary thanking her and asking if you would care to meet Fran who was sitting in the truck, her answer was blunt, “I think not”. Upon arrival at the Moore location, discovering his daughter and son in-law Chris were at a storm causality home, a victim of the May 3rd, F5 tornado with winds of 318 mph that destroyed over 1780 residential homes.
. Gary at a loss for a means to communicate his unexpected marriage in a way to initiate some understanding from Marlo, but she brushed aside his words without any acknowledgement, instead directed the conversation to talking about the deluge of damaged and devastation caused by the tornado. He had hoped for a better introduction, but realized it was futile, ending the visit, they still had a long trip ahead of them. Gary deciding they would spend the night in Oklahoma city, staying at the Motel 6, across meridian Avenue from where spent almost five years of his life performing six nights a week in the 60’s and 70’s at the Pirates Cove Club, in the now removed Holiday Inn West.
. The morning found them heading northwest to Kiowa, his home for 20 years and to introduce Fran to some of the special Kansas people he had worked with. Gary having made this journey numerous times for more than 22 years, a sense of melancholy filtering in, his explanation, it might be a long time or never traversing this roadway again. The drive thru Okarche, Kingfisher, Dover, Hennessy and Waukomis, crossing the Cimarron River, the dampness bouquet of the pasture land, the many memories all being way-stops in road of life.
Inquisitive Quest 
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