7696 miles

Home again, home again, jigity, jig!

Two weary travelers,

 and dog called "pig"

We lighted out for the Western Territories. 

We travelled many a mile, 

now we'll just sit by the fire and rest a while.

It was our goal to see loved ones we hadn't seen for a time

and to meet the new young Logan, that was sublime

The Turtle Island Traveller got us out there and back,

and it made up with comfort for the power it lacked.

It now bears a sticker of a rainbow turtle,

that we got at the beach in South Carolina, Myrtle.

Some think that vanagon is rotten to the core,

but Arman fixed that radiator and it ain't rotten no more!

We dipped our toes in the Atlantic, and the pacific and again the Atlantic.

The walks on the beach were a cure for the frantic

drivers on the interstates, both 10 and 95

At times it was scary, but we made it thru alive.

We met a cow named Blondie, the leader of her pack,

and when a calf was threatened, she made her attack

she got the whole herd to chase down poor Chilly,

12 cows chasing one dog is a sight so silly,

that you'd laugh 'til you shot your milk out your nose,

or in this case, your udders, I suppose

The sand storm in west Texas, was the coldest night we spent,

But the warm, natural pool and the campsite at Balmorhea were well worth

the rent

We visited the great ranch, called the "Speakeasy",

where everything was nice, with nothing done cheesy.

The lady there's an angel, and the gentleman, well he can be the devil,

but he keeps his place and his life to the highest level.

They gave us great food, the meat of an Axis

they gave us a very nice room, and gave the dog access.

Harley liked Chilly, he thought she tasted just right,

he didn't hurt her none, just gave her a good fright.

That ranch is a bit of heaven, with a river running thru it

I'd go there again, if the vanagon could do it.

We saw friends in Houston, who we love and wish well,

They are so far away now, and we miss them like hell

We hope they stay safe in that east Texas city,

New York has lost them and that is a pity

Our time in Silver Lake is always to brief,

to hug our loved ones there is such a relief,

from the thousands of miles that keep us apart

and keeps up this aching deep in our heart.

We got to see Kathryn shaping her men, and shaping her clay,

she seems to keep busy all night and all day,

Her art is real beauty, both the bowls and the boys,

We got to see T as he watered his violets, he feeds them real good, 

but he holds a bit more stress than he probably should.

Don't sweat the small stuff and keep yourself real mellow

Your the best kind of brother, father, husband and fellow.

Dinners with us packed around the table in the kitchen,

had the best kind of family feel,

food shared with loved ones is the best kind of meal

We stopped to see my family

in the valley of the Sun,

Where I got to hug my Mother, 

and her second oldest son.

We decorated their tree with ornaments and some light,

and Mom shifted it all 'til she had it just right

Jon dear Jonny, we love you it's true,

but can't figure out some of the things that you do.

focus on you studies, your family and on your guitar

they'll carry you much farther, than some stupid car.

We stopped at a hole in the ground, a big copper pit,

that caused a little town to grow around it,

I suppose that mining caused some harm,

but I guess from it also came the little town's charm

it's little houses, and it's people's faces.

It's one of the lands friendlier places.

Here lives my oldest and dearest friend

it's just so good when I see him again.

He showed us the shops, old and new,

and from his studio, he showed the great view.

He's taken up painting, a Michelangelo, he ain't,

but I think, and Liz's thinks his paintings are great!

This trip had a purpose,

for Liz to see Loy,

and that time spent with her Mother

brought them great peace and great joy

It's hard living so far from the ones that you love,

from the ones that love you, beyond and above

any means of measure

To be in their company is the greatest treasure.

The best we can do is to keep deep in our hearts,

wishes of peace and health and love,

and to write the occasional letter, send an email or text

or pick up the phone when we think of them next.

We can build up our courage to cross over the land,

over the rivers, and over the sand.

to drive thru the day and then thru the night

over and over until in our sight

are the faces of the loved ones we've journeyed to see

We'd do it again, but for the fuel we did burn,

traveling so many miles, one can't help but learn 

that it's the people at the destination

that turn a journey's hard earned miles into a vacation