The Meaning of WhistleStop Acres Part 2: Roots

Part 2: Roots

I am the type person that is not a wanderer. I enjoy traveling immensely but the feeling of coming home overjoys my soul every single time. That is the feeling WhistleStop Acres brings me every day.

We both grew up in very small towns in the Texas Panhandle. Todd grew up on a cattle ranch before moving into town when he was older; and I grew up in a town (they weren’t the same small towns btw) wishing I owned a horse every day of my life.

We grew up when summers felt unending because of how you lived the days. We would leave by 9 am to play with neighbors and friends that lived within the allotted radius of where we were allowed to roam.

Early on when I was 5 years- 8 years that meant up and down the block. Teague street was a blast! We had a lot of kids and we played in each others playhouses, treehouses, and did things like ride the neighborhood “horse” who was a giant, gentle St Bernard. I’m not sure if he knew who “his” kids were because we were all “his kids.”

By nine, we moved to a larger home on Houston Street so my grandma could move in but it was okay because we began to earn the privilege of a larger area of freedom. As long as we were with others I could go all around a lot of territory that included playing in canyons and by creeks, and several neighborhoods.

The limit allowed for all areas, as long as I didn’t cross Florida street and Union street because they were the “busy” streets!” I got to start crossing those by 11 or 12 to go to kids activities at church on my bike and to make special trips to the 7-11!

In summer, we had to be home for lunch at noon, home by 5 for dinner, and home by the time the street lamps came on. Then, all the adult neighbors sat outside and lots of us on my block and blocks near us, gathered to keep the play going on the vacant lot next to to my house after dark, while the adults “visited.”

It was such a beautiful childhood. Summers felt like they lasted forever, the biggest struggle was whether to play at the creek or meet at the park, and friendships were in person, tangible, and strong because we problem solved together every single day.

When I met Todd in college, he felt like home. I think we both knew even before we began dating, something was there. A lot of that was we shared similar roots and the same faith.… as well as a love for the outdoors, adventure, and keeping life fun!

We have lived some adventures for sure, including living in the of a Houston for a long time now. We have had a lot to endure as well as tremendous joy. But the roots… they stay.

And the country has been always calling.

We owned 10 acres in our kiddos younger years, had horses, pigs, chickens, and a sweet donkey (along with dogs. I’ve never not had a dog of my own except 2 years in college when it wasn’t allowed). After moving to Houston and living city for a long while, we finally filled it first by finding property that had an acre of land (unheard of in the area we live in Houston) and gosh how we love it there.

But the dream for our hearts, to fulfill a calling in my heart for years now, has been a place to return to our roots.

Then we found WhistleStop Acres.

Rooted!

-Robin, founder