Back in the States

April 8, 1987

Guess I better bring you up to date. After flying back to Dallas, I stayed at the K-Life House and went out to eat with my friend Corby. Also went to K-Life and saw Leeanne. It was good to see her. RoRo was also there, and it sounds like I’ll try to stay at their home when I head north.

From Dallas, I went south to Waco. First day out, a strong north wind practically blew me all the way to Hillsboro where I got a room at the ugliest motel I have ever stayed at! It was cold that night, and I figured any room was worth staying out of the north wind.

Apparently it snowed two days before I got to Dallas! Anyway, I ate too much junk food and watched too many stupid TV shows that night but somehow survived the night. The second day was a beautiful, sweet day across rural Texas roads. I got into Waco at about 2:30 p.m. and waited for Bill to arrive back from class.

When he did, we talked for awhile and then went over to Baylor to see a journalism professor, a former foreign correspondent, whom Bill knew. The professor has created a graduate program at Baylor in foreign correspondence. Thirty hours of class work plus six months of foreign work at an institution, media or other foreign business.

I’m considering it heavily, but the costs are pretty hefty too. I don’t know if I could afford living and attending school. But the rewards would be great!
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That evening, Billy had to study, so I went to eat dinner with Susan J. We also got talk for awhile. She’s been having a tough time this semester learning new ropes and readjusting to school. I also got the feeling that she and Greg are not dating anymore.

We did have a good evening though!

Next day, Bill had a bunch of friends from his church in Fort Worth come down for the day. We hit the park for picnic lunch and volleyball and ultimate frisbee. What fun. I wore myself out.

We went to eat that evening and then back to Billy’s for some guitar and songs. Gosh it was good to hear his melodies again. I miss him. I was going to take off the next day, but it rained all day and I reconsidered.

Ducks at Lake Whitney.

It also gave me a chance to go by Amy K.’s and see her. She’s as cute as ever or more so. And she’s getting a bicycle for her birthday. Do I see bike tour in the future? That would be primo.

Anyway, from Waco. I cruised north again to Lake Whitney State Park. Over 150 campsites and I was the only person in the park! So peaceful. So relaxing. Sunset, ducks on the lake, rabbits in the path nibbling on spring grass, young flowers shooting up everywhere. Overwhelming solitude.

The next day was tough! I rode about 80 miles against the wind and ended in darkness about five miles shy of Hank and Diane’s house. Hank came and gave me a ride. Talked with him about the new place for Wild. Next day, Diane drove me over to Trinity Christian Academy where Hank teaches. I got to see April L. and Emily D. while I was there. That was quite wonderful though short-lived.

That evening, I went for a short ride with Hank and Diane’s whole family.