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Albuquerque

 Regional gymnastics.  32 teams from 4 states.  98 kids.  6 different events: Vault, Floor, Parallel Bars, High Bar, Rings, and Pommel. Alex’s team did well.  They placed 5th. Alex did well. He didn’t place in the Vault or High Bar:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utlFYb2ja8E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0skMSdL_fp8  He placed in the top 15 in the Floor Exercise:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE4TD0_TLDM top 10 for Parallel Barshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7RtykMPwxE …and Rings:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_cS2vKcmw4 …and Pommelhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJzMtN7BGAU He did so well on the Pommel he placed first! He placed 9th in the All-Around.  A very good day for Alex.  A very good day for us, to be there to cheer him on. 
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Meanwhile

 Henry usually has this nice fluffy tail.  But the last few weeks, his tail got matted.  The groomer couldn’t comb it out, so she gave up and shaved it.  And so we have…… Henry the Rat!  
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Today went by really fast

 …or really slow.  I remember parts of it.  Judy did the driving.  I did drugs.  I might have missed a few things along the way, but we’re in Albuquerque now. I still have my stone.  Maybe I should name it.  I’m sure it’s not an ordinary stone.  Maybe it’s a pearl.  
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Progress

 It’s not a difficult drive, but we have to dodge kidney stones along the way.  We’ve made it as far as the town of Pecos in West Texas.  We’re well set-up for a drive north to Albuquerque tomorrow and a gymnastics competition on the weekend.  Nice weather, roads, and company. A Holiday Inn Express room usually costs about $100 a night.  Here in the small town of Pecos, it goes for almost $200.  The reason is oilfields.  There are so many oilfield workers in Texas, all the RV Parks get swallowed up by monthlies and all the hotel rooms go for a premium.  Not enough places to put all the workers.  New RV Parks are springing up all across Texas that are just flat spots bulldozed out, graveled, full hookups installed, and immediately filled up with fifth-wheel trailers and pickup trucks.  It makes sense as a way to accommodate the influx of workers that are only here for a few years then move on. Here is one in Pecos they put up some giant awnings like at a fairgrounds, then rigged the underneath with hookups for the “campers”. Shade and a name like “Country Club”; it must feel downright luxurious!