Beaumont, TX (12/7/2021 – 12/10/2021)

We spent three days with my cousin Jim Speed and his wife, Barbara, next. They live in a converted metal barn called the Barndaminium outside of Beaumont TX. Their southern hospitality and warm balmy weather enticed us to stay three days. Jim and I are the last of our set of cousins and last saw each other at my grandparents 50th and spent a lot of time telling stories about our personal life arcs and those of our siblings and children.  We met their extended family and just had a great time. They introduced us to boudin (boo dan), another cajun food. It’s like a sausage made of pork and rice and seasoned with the gumbo file flavor. I tried it at their house and then ordered a boudin quesadilla at a Mexican-cajun fusion restaurant. It was outstanding. We said our goodbyes and moved on toward Lafayette LA.

Barbara, Jim, Claude, and Sandy

Jim and Barb were very gracious in allowing Buddy and Chloe to have priority over their dogs. Fortunately, most were outside dogs and we were able to keep them out of each other’s way. Buddy seems to have worked out of his eating problems and has been eating regularly again. Both Buddy and Chloe get really tired when we travel.  Neither sleep in the truck and Buddy stands up the entire time. Once we get stopped, they are pooped.