Day 10

We got up early again, and again put the kids in the vehicle sleeping.  We made the 10 minute drive to the nearest Discount Tire.  The manager there helped us, and he was extremely helpful.  We were back on the road in 20 minutes with a new fresh spare.  While they changed the tired, Amy and I got the kids teeth brushed and changed.  You know, efficient time management and all of  that.

We headed Southeast on that long stretch of highway through North Texas.  There was nothing much to see.  We listened to various podcasts, many of them interesting.  Somewhere along that stretch, probably an hour outside Fort Worth, we came upon multiple cattle next to the highway.  They had clearly escaped from someones place.  I pulled over and had Amy dial 911.  We reported these loose cattle, as a collision with such a beast could prove fatal for a weary traveler.  The dispatcher promised to send a deputy and we moved on.

Our progress was hindered in the usual Fort Worth traffic, but we made it through and stopped at Chick Fil A in Burleson, TX.  Here we met up with Shari so that we could drop Luke off.  Luke was initially crying that he didn't want to go home and wanted to continue camping, but that ended as soon as he hugged his Mom.  We ate lunch and let the children play a bit.  We all said our goodbyes and headed South.

Familiar territory appeared as we made the final couple of hours drive.  It was hot and dry.  There was some trafic about an hour North of home, but mostly smooth sailing.  Amy finished the drive.  As we pulled into the house, Amy stated that the Endeavor smelled like "engine".  I took the helm to back the ship into the storage spot and looked down to see the temperature gauge approaching red.  The Endeavor was failing, but she ,made it home.  Yes, she made it home.  The wear and tear had caught up to her, but she had done it.  It is likely her last trip.  I will have to thin of some sort of fitting end.  There are many memories in that ship.