It was nice to visit the kids & grands, and Tabatha's graduation went off without a hitch.  We made it to UVA in plenty of time, well, OK, way too early, but we DID get a great parking spot.  Since it was raining cats & dogs all night, and still raining in the morning, we decided we would view the live video feed from within the warm, dry, relative comfort of an auditoreum.  No, we did *not* feel the need to go sit in the rain, on the lawn, in the cold, on the hard (small) folding chairs, amidst all the other thousands of people, most of whom were smoking some sort of tobacco.  In addition, there was an INDOOR potty in the auditoreum.  PLUS, if it was going to be raining during the actual diploma ceremony, they would move the ceremony inside, to that very same auditoreum.  Well, the rain tapered off and that part of the ceremony was not moved, but we were comfortable & dry during the procession & recession of students & faculty.  In addition, we met a lovely couple from Richmond, VA, who'd come to watch their daughter, as well.  The time passed quickly, and we were able to brave the cold, damp & masses to get to the pavilion garden just in time to see Tab seated and hear the speakers for her group.  I even got some pics that I'll be posting in a bit. 

So, day after graduation, we woke about 5 am, all anxious & eager to hit the road.  It was hard & sad to say goodbye, but, we'll be back before ya know it.  We were packed up and pulling out of the park by 7:30 am, and we had no trouble going thru VA, NC, SC, GA, and into AL by the 2nd day, just as planned.  On the 3rd day, exactly according to plan, we hit Beaumont, TX, and called our new employer to let him know we'd be arriving on Thursday, exactly as planned.  We figured we'd train Friday & be going full speed ahead on Saturday, just in time for the big holiday weekend.  Oh, ho, no.  This would be where the plan went awry.

You see, according to the owner, we didn't exactly have a definite date of arrival, so he just booked us in for "the last week of May."  Normally, that wouldn't be any problem, and he could either slide us in or we'd just stay put for a few (4) more days.  Well, yeah, but, remember, this is a *holiday* weekend.  What do people do on holiday weekends?  Why, they GO CAMPING! 

Well, thanks to some quick online action, a little outlay of cash, and sympathy from the park we were overnighting in, we get to spend the next 4 days here in lovely Beaumont.  All is well, as this park offers FREE breakfast (waffles, bagels, honey buns, cereal, juice & coffee) every day, there's a terrific HEB (grocery store) close by, and nearby birding & park areas.  Plus, a sparkling clean pool & laundry.  Oh yeah, free wifi & cable TV.  So, what'd we do today?  Why, we went geocaching, of course!  Tim & Staples, y'all have created a monster!    During the course of our travels today, we found a beautiful botanical gardens area — 10 acres have been developed into many garden rooms, planted & maintained by 3 paid gardeners and a host of societies and volunteers.  They have a memorial to Sept 11 victims & responders that is very respectful & moving.  We spent most of the afternoon there, returning to the park after a fun trip through the HEB.  I know, how can we get so excited about grocery shopping?????

Well, for starters, when you walk in, you're faced with an instore deli that is the size of, oh, I dunno, a Panera Bread store, maybe.  Yeah, it's big.  And they have bins with samples.  I don't mean just one or two — I mean, SAMPLES.  Of just about everything they've prepared.  And, daggum, it's GOOD.  Oh, and over by the produce section, there's a lady handing out samples of WINE.  And, over by the bakery, some bread & dipping oils.  And around the corner, it's a counter full of cheese samples, and yes, there's more wine there!!  Oh, and lookee there — they have MONSTER shrimp in the case by the lobsters....and upon further investigation, we find they are ONLY $5.99/pound.  Yes, my friends, these are 16-21 count shrimpies, the jumbo-est of them all, big as my 2 fingers, and they are CHEAP.  Oh, yes, we bought some......about 2 pounds' worth.  I know a good thing when I see it.  And, yes, we bought a bottle of the good wine, and oh, yeah, that "personal" watermelon is JUST the right size for me (since hubby doesn't like 'em much).  Oh, and the deli at the front — well, they have some really good, homemade dip, just the right spicy...so, yeah, that went in the buggy too.  We had a BLAST!  Of course, paying wasn't so much fun, but, hey, I'll just sew up & sell a couple more items, quick as a bunny.

Since we're gonna be here a couple of days, I thought it would be nice to go to a dance (or two) and *maybe,* just maybe, get to use some of our A lessons.....ha.  Not to be so.  No clubs in this area.  Closest one is Houston, and darned if I plan to go to or thru Houston if I don't have to.  I've been trying to plot a way around it; Dick says NO WAY to Galveston and/or the ferry, so it looks like I'll have to suck it up & navigate for travel, but I'm not gonna do it just for a dance, much as I love to dance. 

Well, if I'm gonna post pictures, I'll have to get started on downloading them.  I've been working diligently to transfer photos from my old computer to this new one, and I have a long way to go.  Who knew the "catalog" and tags wouldn't come with?  Ugh.  Lotsa work ahead of me.  Gives me something to do when we're not doing something else, I s'pose. 

Y'all take care, and keep safe!  Have as much fun as is legal!