Four Hergs, One Adventure

Four Hergs, one adventure

In the middle of January, Eric's parents made their pilgrimage to Altus, America. In the weeks before their arrival, I worried that the potentially freezing temperatures the month of January usually offers would make for a pretty icky visit to our fabulous little city. However, mother nature bestowed upon us some gorgeous temperatures and allowed the wind (you know, the stuff that comes sweeping down the plains) to subside for the few days they were here.

On a Friday afternoon, I picked mom & pop H up from the Will Rogers Airport in OKC. They piled into my little car and tried to mentally prepare for the trip home. Hearing that it is a two hour drive home from the airport is different than actually making the two hour drive. Each person I've picked up from OKC usually starts to get excited that we are nearing home when we drive into Lawton. The fun part is telling them we still have an hour to go... But being that this was their first time in Oklahoma, they enjoyed and were fascinated by the views and the (lack of) scenery.

Since it was a Friday, Eric was still at work when we got into town. I drove them through Altus and brought them to our house, which they could pick out once we were on the street form the zillions of pictures we've sent/posted. I gave them a tour and then we sat out on the back porch and had some snacks & refreshments while we enjoyed the balmy January weather and waited for Eric.

We sure packed a lot of fun and adventure (and car time) into their one little weekend in Altus. On Friday night we went out to dinner at the Quartz Mountain Resort & Restaurant, which Eric and I had raved was, "probably the best restaurant you are going to find (not actually) in Altus." Eric and I both felt the food was only okay that night, and his parents were too nice to comment otherwise. At least in taking them there they got to see the beautiful mountains, Lake Altus, and a very lovely sunset. After dinner, we took a little walk outside by the water and were treated to a breathtaking starry sky; big sky country = millions of stars country, it really is a beautiful thing to see.

On Saturday morning, Eric stepped into his dad's breakfast cookin' slippers and whipped up a lovely breakfast. Then, tummies full, we took in the sites of downtown A-town. We hit all the usual antique/boutique hotspots. One shop owner, who Jerry engaged in conversation, remarked that when she traveled to the DC area, she was taken aback by all of the scenery (read, buildings, trees, foliage, what have you) and that she finds it is kind of nice to be able to "see where you're going." Conversations like these are good for me to hear. They remind me that as much as this place can get to me and drive me crazy, it is actually what some people prefer. They really are more comfortable with wide, open spaces.

Prison at Ft. Sill where Geronimo was held

After mom & pop H had their fill of downtown, we drove out to Ft. Sill in Lawton. Rumor had it the museums on Ft. Sill were worth seeing. That excursion seemed right up Big Jer's alley, so we saved the Ft. Sill trip for their visit. The museum was actually pretty large and impressive. Divided into several buildings and historical sites, we got to see an interesting collection of American Indian history and artwork (mostly focused on the US Army's interactions with (and against) Native people), the prison where they held Geronimo and other prisoners of war, Geronimo's grave site, and a large collection of the Army's tanks and their bombs and their bombs and their guns. You tell me which part you think Eric & Jerry enjoyed most and which part Lourdes and I liked best, I'll give you one guess...

Where's Waldo (Eric)?

An inspirational message on the wall at Meers

By the time we finished looking at all of the above and more, we had worked up pretty significant appetites. Meers was the only cure. To Meers we went! Or tried to go, but we got lost on Ft. Still. We found a gate, which was closed and then we got lost again! About an hour later, we finally weaved our way off that massive military base and found our way to Meers. By that time, we were really starving. Of course, per the usual, we were greeted by a long long (too many longs) line at Meers, but we got there just in the nick of time as it grew exponentially as we waited. We were finally seated a good three hours after we first felt the pangs of hunger, man, life is tough. Jerry and Lourdes, like those that have come before them, were not disappointed in the Meerscheeseburgers, the Meersbeers, or the Meerscobler. Tummies full again, we made our way back to Altus. 

Sunday was game day. It pains me to talk about it now, but at that time the Ravens' Superbowl hopes were alive and well. We had planned a little gathering for the Ravens v. Texans game so that our friends could meet our family. I made a big lasagna (I suggest you try this, 'twas a hit) and we had a plethora of snackums and schneckens. The game was stressful to watch, but the party was fun. And in the end, the Ravens got that "W," like I said, still hurts.

Mom & pop H were leaving on Monday out of OKC. How time flies when you are having fun! We couldn't believe it was already time to return them to Will Rogers. We had just enough time on Monday morning to take Jerry & Lourdes on a tour of Altus AFB complete with a stop at Eric's swanky office. They enjoyed seeing where the magic happens; its hard not to feel proud of Eric when you see that place. We made the long trek to the airport and before we knew it, were saying our goodbyes. Our time for Altusian adventure had run out.

Now Eric and I can say that we've hosted both of our parents in our own home. It is always an interesting shift in roles since for so long, we have been the guests/occupants of their homes. It is a pleasure to do it. It is nice to feel like you have a little bit of a opportunity to take care of the people who have taken care of you for so long (and in our cases, it really was so long). Of course, just like with my parents, the phrase "take care" is only relative. Eric's parents continued to take care of us, even as guests, by gifting us with so many of the tools and gadgets we need to continue to build our home and progress on our many projects.

To Lourdes & Jerry, we were so happy you made the trip and the house felt so empty after you were gone. We look forward to having you as guests in our home again be it in Altus or at the next stop on this crazy ride.