We went the scenic route: Out Steinbeck Bend Drive, up China Spring Road, left turn and across the Brazos. Past Highway 6, where the long line of cars we thought we going with us turned left (they may have been going to the model airplane show in Speegleville Park, where I would have gone yesterday if I'd known early enough where we were going today).

We passed the flashing Caution: Heavy Traffic Ahead sign as we reached town. Idyllic Sunday afternoon stuff, the first part of the way: On the left, a guy on a riding lawn mower; on the right, somebody else at a half-barrel grill. I nodded at him, smiling, as we passed.

"Go home," he mouthed at us.

( Welcome to Crawford... )