After a big hug, a mug of coffee and a bran muffin to go, I was off to pick up Connie Whalen, Curator of the Wells Fargo History Museum in Phoenix. It was good to see Connie, and I'm looking forward to the next 12 days with her. She quickly whipped our RV into shape, turning it from a traveling bachelor pad to a "home" in one swoop.
I know Juan is going to enjoy his break from the trip, and I wish him much rest. See you again in a couple of weeks, Juan!
Our first stop together was in Denison, Texas 
. We headed to Eisenhower State Park to meet Jill Campbell of the Texas Historical Commission , Texas Heritage Trails Program . There are four regions to the program, and she covers the Texas Lakes region .
This group is amazing, and Jill was really on the ball. She contacted me months ago with offers of support for this trip. She helped arrange a tour on private property, at the landing spot of Colbert's Ferry , which carried Overland stagecoaches across the Red River near Gainesville, Texas .
What a treat this was!
We met so many great folks at the park, including Karen Watson of Texas Parks and Wildlife , Kim Phillips of the Denton Convention and Visitor Bureau and Superintendent Paul Kisel of Eisenhower State Park. We had a great visit that included a lot of talk about fishing and catfish in particular — which made me really hungry.
Superintendent Kisel took us to one of his favorite restaurants, specializing in fried catfish (one of my favorites!). We were joined by the aforementioned Jill Campbell and Karen Watson. The restaurant, Farm Raised Huck's Delta Goodness , claims to be a "good place to eat catfish." It was all that and more! I ordered mine "burnt," which means extra crispy. If you're ever in Denison, you have to stop at Huck's and have some fried catfish.
After great food and conversation I had to, as always, hurry on to the next stop. Sherman, Texas was only supposed to be a quick stop before my final stop in Decatur . But that changed when I met Ivert and Jeanette Mayhugh of A Touch of Class Antique Mall in downtown Sherman, right across from the courthouse.
First of all, A Touch of Class is a first-rate Antique mall, but what makes the place are Mr. and Mrs. Mayhugh. I know I keep saying this, but I mean it every time and particularly this time, these were the nicest folks.
And what a wealth of information and knowledge they have about local history and so much more! I spent at least an hour with them, although it went so fast. They walked us through their Historic Exhibit Room on the third floor of their shop. In fact, I was there getting the tour until well after they closed.
The mall is located in the historic Hall Furniture Building , now a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark . The Building was officially placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 2002. Any stop in Sherman must include a visit with the Mayhughs.
What a great day: a Red River adventure, friendly folks and good 'ole fried catfish! It don't (sic) get much better than that! Texas is the longest leg of the journey, and if my first day in the state is any indication of what's to come, I can't wait for tomorrow.
Hi Casey,
Thanks for the phone call, and thanks for the GREAT blog. All of us here in NW Arkansas are enjoying your blog immensely! Keep up the good work, be safe, and have fun.
Glenn Jones
Hi Glen thanks for leaving a comment. I really enjoyed my trip through NW Arkansas. I will never forget my time there or the people like you that I met. It was truly an honor to meet you all. Thanks for tuning in, the video should be up soon of my journey through Arkansas. Hope I do it proud. Please stay in touch.
What a great picture of "Jack the dog" - our faithful mascot perched proudly above the Red River which once transported so many of our stagecoach passengers! I've often thought about taking photos w/ trusty "Jack" on vacations near and far, but alas - somehow I kept forgetting to pack him into my suitcase before departure. Or is it because I imagined how I can possibly fit him along with limits of "25 pounds of luggage" allowed during stagecoach travels of the past??
Can't wait to see pictures and videos of your own dogs soon :~)
Hi Joycee,
Yes jack has been on quite an adventure. We've tried to tak photos of him at every stop. We will soon be adding "jack's tracks" to the touch screen so kids can follow his travels. I do get the occasional strange look when I pull him out of my book bag. My boys will be coming to video soon. All that has been produced is a fraction of what I have. Thanks again for the comments!