Kiwi in Paradise: Day Two
Category: Local...
Posted Saturday, September 02, 2006 at 10:34 PM [GMT-6]

We had a full day of activities for Rachel, although flexibility was the watchword. The weather this morning was threatening and so we had to cancel our aerial tour (we might give it another try Monday morning). But Plan B worked pretty well, including:

• An hour at the shooting range, where Rach got her first lesson in firing a handgun. Did pretty darn well, too. Don't be surprised if she shows up in Auckland with a t-shirt that reads "Ask me about my target."


• After leaving the range we drove to a drilling rig where she got some photos. She also got to see and photograph her first live tumbleweed, and probably heard for the first time in her life these words: "I'm pretty sure the rattlesnakes aren't moving around now, but watch your step, just in case."


• This is the official opening weekend for high school football in Texas, so we headed for Grande Communications Stadium to watch Midland High School whup up on North Crowley (which I think is somewhere in the Metroplex, but don't hold me to that). Rachel had never seen an American football game, but being very familiar with New Zealand rugby (go All Blacks!), she quickly grokked the strategy of the game. [Many thanks to Lee and Jenny for the use of their season tickets while they were out of town!]


• After a late lunch at a local deli, we did a little shopping. I'll let Rachel tell you what she bought, but I can share that the local economy was quite pleased with her involvement. We did drive to the outskirts of Odessa, to Pee Wee Dalton's Emporium of Cowboy Duds, where she got to visit with Pee Wee himself. And he, too, was smiling when she left.


• Now, here's where it gets weird. We had our regular dance class tonight, and I figured she'd want to watch TV or rest or do something besides what she did, which was to come and observe the class. Talk about pressure!


• Afterward, we went to Abuelo's for Mexican food, and then to Barnes & Noble for dessert.

On the schedule for tomorrow: church, brunch, bronc busting, and goat roping. Or, at least, two of the four. Not saying which two...after all, flexibility is the watchword around here.