Home Again

Wandering through Georgia, we lingered a couple of days near our niece's home in Cumming. It always is a treat to sit by their outside fireplace, sip wine, reminisce and catch-up.

Dave is quite the accomplished chef and always delights us with a treat from his grill or smoker. Lucky us, we got a sample from both; one evening it was grilled shrimp fajitas and the next evening was apple wood smoked turkey.

While this might not look edible, after the smoked skin was peeled away a wonderful, succulent, apple wood smoke flavored turkey appeared. It was beyond delicious!

We also scored a couple bottles of his salted caramel port. Wow! Did I tell you he is quite talented?

Continuing on toward home on Sunday, we overnighted in a Walmart parking lot in Murfreesboro, TN so we could get a little visit with our family in that area. We were so busy catching up, we neglected to take photos!

This trip was largely about family as we were able to spend time with siblings and siblings-in-laws, a cousin, nieces, nephews, daughter-in-law, granddaughters, the last surviving parent and meet our newest great-great niece.

Our souls are pretty well fed as we return home to a weedy, but blooming garden,

neatly sorted mail (thank you Mark,)

dinner provided by our dear friend, Jean, tons of dirty laundry, nine hours of Dowton Abbey, consistently speedy internet and our hometown friends who bring us much joy.

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Farewell Florida

The monkeys are screened in (if only we could!)

The lanai in now screened,

mulch has been spread,

new curtains, pictures and shelves hung,

strawberry bed amended,

cookies baked,

sewing project completed,

and one birthday celebrated, 

 We also survived a miraculous Aggie comeback!

No transportation needs this week as our girls have left town for spring break.

Taking a vacation day before hitting the road again, we started the day at Another Broken Egg in Destin. I mention this as a potential interest to our hometown friends. Rumor is one will open in the new downtown hotel. We often eat here when visiting in Florida; always at least a 20 minute wait for a table. Captain usually orders the Cinnamon Roll French Toast.

We have been visiting the Florida Panhandle several times a year since the kids moved here 8 years ago. We have heard a lot about the South Walton Beaches (Seaside, Rosemary, Grayton, etc.) but have never taken the time to experience them. So today we drove the scenic Hwy 30A. We couldn't actually see the beaches due to all the condos. Of course it is spring break season so it is very crowded, making it difficult to find the public beaches as well as parking spaces. 

The beaches, though crowded, are beautiful.

Seaside looks like it could be a fun place, especially for children, teens

and dogs.

Clever way to provide cold water for the dogs.

I think we shall return with the tandem to explore when it isn't spring break.

Watching our girls turn into young ladies certainly feeds our souls!

We are now ready to meander through Georgia, toward home.

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Greetings from The Sunshine State

where we are soaking in the warmth of our family.

We arrived in Navarre in time to watch our oldest granddaughter perform in her high school's Music Performance Assessment. Here is a short clip of her trumpet solo in one of the numbers her band performed. (If you are reading this via an email, you may need to click on the blog post title to go to the web site in order to view the video.)

The same weekend, our youngest granddaughter performed the role of a princess and was also the lead dragonfly in the Northwest Florida Ballet production of The Nutcracker. Whoops, that was suppose to say Cinderella!

They do keep their mom on the road driving them to school, practices and rehearsals! We are quite happy to help while we are here.

The Wanderer is parked at the Navarre Beach RV Park (not a beach-front spot but only a short walk.)

Fortunately we are enjoying some nice sunny weather. While Captain is screening in the lanai at the girl's home, ABN will be getting in some Grandma time.  Since we will be here for a few weeks, he should be able to get the project completed and still have time to do some exploring on the tandem (and watch basketball.) Gig'em Aggies!

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Texas, where ordinary is (bigger) just different.


Texas thinks it is a country all to itself; well that may be a bit of an overstatement. However as we travel throughout the state, we do recognize there is a unique culture. (Actually Captain is a native Texan, so no surprise to him.)

 

No question most Texans are proud of their state and their country. How often do you see state flags flying except at state buildings? Shortly after crossing the Texas state line, how soon do you see the Lone Star, not only at public buildings but on businesses and private property, usually alongside the U.S. Flag.

Kalaches

And they are proud of their food (if you have ever mentioned barbecue, chili or ice cream to Captain, well then you can skip this paragraph.) From the cowboys came the beef brisket barbecue and Texas Chili, from their Mexican neighbors came hot peppers and tamales, from the Germans and Czechs came sausage and kolaches, from the Aggies, Blue Bell Ice Cream. (Of course all of it is the best in the country.)

Remember the Texas version of a wrap?

As we mentioned in an earlier post, we have enjoyed traveling on the secondary roads which are often four lanes and the speed limit is 75 mph. And what do you see traveling these highways? Not many Priuses or smart cars, but quite a few big gas guzzling, four wheel drive pick-ups. (There's that bigger thing.)

And then there are the one stop convenience stores where ordinarily one can buy gas, soft drinks, milk and a souvenir. Have you ever stopped at an Aggie owned Buc-ee's. ? In addition to 80-100 gas pumps, you can do Christmas shopping, get a sandwich or pizza for lunch and pick up something at the deli to take home. For small town ABN, this was quite impressive, and then we stopped at Slovacek's.

Art Gallery

Shopping

Yep, all in

and around the convenience store.

We have had a great time hanging out with our Texas family and friends,

including a gathering to plan a new adventure with new friends.

Our heart strings are being pulled toward the Florida panhandle. The Wanderer is packed and ready to roll.