One thing I worried about before I actually retired was that I might get lazy, slothful and over weight. Therefore, when I did retire, I sort of had a schedule in my mind that I would follow. If we stayed in Creston and didn't go to Mo, I think the schedule would be fine and would keep me on track. As we do go to Mo and as Missouri was always 'Vacation' or 'Weekend' time (and relaxation mode) I have a little trouble keeping on track.
My proposed schedule for the next 30 years:
5:30 alarm
get up and sleep on the couch until 6 am
(I always did this while working : )
6:00 get on floor and do stretching exercises while listening to news
and the Exercise gurus on Public Television
6:30 - 7:15 - personal hygiene, get dressed and eat breakfast
8:00 - 9:00 - Lesson in on-line bookkeeping and paying bills from Himself
9:00 - 10:00 - Enjoy Kelly and Michael, CBS with my cuppa green tea
I think we should all laugh everyday and this is my
guilt-free TV / relax time. I also crochet at this time.
11:00 - 6 oz of my Jungle Juice (2 oz of Aloe Vera juice mixed w/
healthy cranapple or pomegranate or blueberry juice. This has
helped my digestion and my stomach doesn't hurt every day now.
12:00 noon - lunch (200 calories or less)
1:00 - 3:00 - garden with Himself or other exercise
3:30 - 6 oz V-eight juice
5:00 - Dinner
7 or 8:00 - practice yoga and/or meditation for 20-30 minutes
Now, doesn't that just sound like fun!
No, it does Not! But it does meet my needs and if I do it long enough it will become habit.
Also, in Missouri, I have undertaken mowing for Vi and also have a volunteer program started. I am cleaning up the roadsides from the "K" road all the way into Twin Lake and right down our hill. There are others that pick up cans and trash in Twin Lake but I am determined to get my exercise and beautify my environment, so watch out for the old lady walking the roads in Mercer County!
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
2014 Friday May 16
It is cold; unseasonably cold.
Shenandoah set a 70 year-old low temperature record last night.
OMGosh. Iowa last had these low temps in 1940, I think they said.
All I want is to be outside. Back in January when the temps were 8 degrees, 50 degrees would have been welcome but I am only human. Now that it is 50 degrees, I am freezing! because it should be 75 degrees!
I want 75!!!
To defy this weather (and thumb my nose), I sometimes I bundle up and put on three layers, the last a down vest or hooded parka and I go out. I walk or work and get my blood moving . . . and I don't freeze into an icicle. Even though I thought I would. And even tho I can go out and survive this time of year at these temps, I'm still mad about it.
The weather forecasters are saying that this coming week will be warmer. They better not be wrong!
Shenandoah set a 70 year-old low temperature record last night.
OMGosh. Iowa last had these low temps in 1940, I think they said.
All I want is to be outside. Back in January when the temps were 8 degrees, 50 degrees would have been welcome but I am only human. Now that it is 50 degrees, I am freezing! because it should be 75 degrees!
I want 75!!!
To defy this weather (and thumb my nose), I sometimes I bundle up and put on three layers, the last a down vest or hooded parka and I go out. I walk or work and get my blood moving . . . and I don't freeze into an icicle. Even though I thought I would. And even tho I can go out and survive this time of year at these temps, I'm still mad about it.
The weather forecasters are saying that this coming week will be warmer. They better not be wrong!
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
2014 Tuesday May 13 - Passwords
For goodness sakes.
Here we are at the cabin and all I want to do this cool, damp evening is write my journal entry. I check email and because I am using the laptop instead of my home computer, I have to verify my user name/password for Yahoo email. Oh come on . . .
Then I have to do the same for Facebook. Gosh darn it!
Then I come over here and I have to prove that this is my Blogger! Are you Kidding me?
There was no problem with email and Facebook. I'm in them all the time and I've got the security question and password in my head. Blogger, not so much. I hardly ever have to sign in or verify anything to get here to Nana's View. So tonight, away from home, I get frisked. "Cough it up! Verify your password last used 19 months ago! No Blogger until you comply!"
As it happens, Himself and I have a two-page spreadsheet containing all our passwords. Shhhh . . . . don't tell anybody. One isn't supposed to write down your password. Let alone 49 passwords. But that spreadsheet is at home.
We do try to use the same password for each and every software and website but you know how it is. As secure websites become harder to protect, the program adds more requirements for the password.
"The password must contain 8 characters, one must be upper case. You must include a numeral and a special character but don't use @ * or &. Oh sure, I just set up a new bank password -- 8abcdefg&;. Now I want to create a password and want it the same so I can remember it but I can't use the &;. Okay, so I will make this password 8abcdefg$. Right. Like I will remember which is which and that, my friend, is why we have two pages of user names and passwords.
45 minutes later, here I am. Writing in Blogger, protected by a new password. I just hope I can remember it until I get home and can write it on my secret list. Sheesh . . . all this change and using my brain and solving mysteries is going to keep me young, right?
Here we are at the cabin and all I want to do this cool, damp evening is write my journal entry. I check email and because I am using the laptop instead of my home computer, I have to verify my user name/password for Yahoo email. Oh come on . . .
Then I have to do the same for Facebook. Gosh darn it!
Then I come over here and I have to prove that this is my Blogger! Are you Kidding me?
There was no problem with email and Facebook. I'm in them all the time and I've got the security question and password in my head. Blogger, not so much. I hardly ever have to sign in or verify anything to get here to Nana's View. So tonight, away from home, I get frisked. "Cough it up! Verify your password last used 19 months ago! No Blogger until you comply!"
As it happens, Himself and I have a two-page spreadsheet containing all our passwords. Shhhh . . . . don't tell anybody. One isn't supposed to write down your password. Let alone 49 passwords. But that spreadsheet is at home.
We do try to use the same password for each and every software and website but you know how it is. As secure websites become harder to protect, the program adds more requirements for the password.
"The password must contain 8 characters, one must be upper case. You must include a numeral and a special character but don't use @ * or &. Oh sure, I just set up a new bank password -- 8abcdefg&;. Now I want to create a password and want it the same so I can remember it but I can't use the &;. Okay, so I will make this password 8abcdefg$. Right. Like I will remember which is which and that, my friend, is why we have two pages of user names and passwords.
45 minutes later, here I am. Writing in Blogger, protected by a new password. I just hope I can remember it until I get home and can write it on my secret list. Sheesh . . . all this change and using my brain and solving mysteries is going to keep me young, right?
Monday, May 12, 2014
2014 Monday May 12 - A Rainy Day
Rain and thunder in the night and up this morning with gray, weepy skies. Midmorning it rained again and the rain is good. The gardens and ponds and farmers need rain. Well -- depends on which farmer you ask.
When we were in the grocery store, I'd wait on one farmer and he'd say "we could sure use a good rain". I'd wait on the second farmer and I'd say "we could sure use a good rain" and he'd say "no, not yet. We need to get the fields planted". So I learned just to listen and not offer a weather opinion!
I couldn't seem to get up and out to exercise other than doing my morning stretches. The grayness pinned me to the couch. There's a quilt block I have needed to get done for sister Gin so there was some good come of the gray.
Mid afternoon, Himself and I got antsy and got up and out in the garden between showers. I saw a couple of Columbine plants in the way and Himself dug up an extra phlox so we drove to Erica's and mudded them into her garden where fall bulbs were planted but didn't come up this spring.
I checked her rain gauge for her. Wow!
When we were in the grocery store, I'd wait on one farmer and he'd say "we could sure use a good rain". I'd wait on the second farmer and I'd say "we could sure use a good rain" and he'd say "no, not yet. We need to get the fields planted". So I learned just to listen and not offer a weather opinion!
I couldn't seem to get up and out to exercise other than doing my morning stretches. The grayness pinned me to the couch. There's a quilt block I have needed to get done for sister Gin so there was some good come of the gray.
Mid afternoon, Himself and I got antsy and got up and out in the garden between showers. I saw a couple of Columbine plants in the way and Himself dug up an extra phlox so we drove to Erica's and mudded them into her garden where fall bulbs were planted but didn't come up this spring.
I checked her rain gauge for her. Wow!
 |
| The dainty Columbine blossom. |
Sunday, May 11, 2014
2014 Mother's Day
We had thunderstorms this morning and rain. By Mother's Day Dinner time, it had pretty much cleared off.
Dana grilled for us and I had the best cheeseburger! And pasta salad and potato salad and roasted garlic and all manners of good food. I contributed home-grown black raspberries, shortcake and grandchildren-whipped whipped cream. Audri and Maddie helped me on Saturday. I think they both know what ingredients it takes to make whipped cream but they might need a recipe for 'how much'.
It is always a blessing to have my children around. To have them organize and host a dinner, warms my heart and fills me with love and pride.
Thank you Erica and Dana always being the gracious hosts. You have a lovely, spacious, comfortable setting.
The apple trees are in bloom.
Isn't this an inviting view.
The garden is coming along!
The lilacs are in bloom!
And the pool filled with warm water and water babies! Little fishies : )
Thank you all for everything! Love, Ma
Friday, May 09, 2014
2014 Saturday May 10 -- F I N A L L Y ! !
I have only grown radishes one other time. I have tried many times. Usually, the tops grow and the radishes don't. And I haven't learned to eat radish greens. haha
This year I bought a Farmers Almanac. I read it too! and made notes. Plant radishes in the right sign of the moon. So I did.
It probably helped that the weather turned off cool. Radishes don't like heat. Whatever. Whichever. Moon Sign or air temperature, it worked this time. We are enjoying some fresh organic radishes.
2014 Friday May 9 - Look What I Have!
Look at this Jeep! It is sharp! It is so sharp and glossy that it acts just like a mirror! lol I wish I had seen all that reflection in the camera. I would have taken another, different angle. But anyway, this post really isn't about how much I like Jeep Libertys. (Liberties, rather, I suppose --but that doesn't seem right either).
Anyway, Liberties or Libertys, it doesn't make any difference. What matters is that my Morghan Grace, my little Morghan Gracie Pie, our Little Morghan Grace you have the cutest little baby face! girl is old enough to drive!
She is on the street, on her own, driving to town!
And looking pretty dang cool and cute and grown up, doing it.
I can't believe we are here at this stage.
I can't believe that Erica is old enough to be the mother of a driver.
I can't believe that I am old enough to be a grandmother of a driver.
But, hey, it's good. We wouldn't want it any other way.
Morghan is healthy and smart and capable and a 'looker' : )
She is way adorable and I will look forward to her
proms and ballgames and graduation and college and marriage and . . .
well, you know, great grandchildren!
So, here she is driving today and I already have her married in my head!
Love you Morghan Grace, with all my heart.
Thursday, May 08, 2014
2014 Thursday May 8
A first!
Today I found the 'big' morel mushrooms.
Today I found what they call 'yellow' shrooms and not the 'little grays'.
I found them in Mo, close by. Almost by accident.
At III I hunted mushrooms for days and over 4 years or so, I found two. And they were little grays.
Today I found the 'big' morel mushrooms.
Today I found what they call 'yellow' shrooms and not the 'little grays'.
I found them in Mo, close by. Almost by accident.
At III I hunted mushrooms for days and over 4 years or so, I found two. And they were little grays.
These mostly were bigger than a chicken egg but not as big as a tennis ball.
I shared a few with Vi as she had sent me off in that direction on a mission. Besides, I had to have her make an official ID as I didn't want to be eating something that wasn't a big morel.
I fried up some for supper and both Himself and I liked them. In fact we might just be 'partial' to them. I may have to add this activity to all my future springs!
They aren't so pretty after dipping them in egg and flour and frying them up but you know that old saying, Pretty is as Pretty does.
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
May 6. Today
Vacation is over. There will be another. We don't have plans or even ideas yet except we know that we both want to see the New England states. We have neither one been anywhere north and east of Washington, DC. Well, I take that back. We have not been north of Annapolis, Maryland.
And I would love to see the land of Anne of Green Gables. I hear it is a fairy land. Well it is if you go in August. Otherwise, it might be cold and snowy.
So yesterday we mowed. No we didn't, Himself mowed.
I took Alice out for a country gad and gab.
At 8 am Himself and I went and shopped T O G E T H E R at Fareway and bought about $50 worth of what we used to call 'bedding plants'. Then we planted them. I have learned if we are going to grocery shop together we will be at Fareway at 8 am. Or once in awhile at WalMart at 8 am.
Then we gardened. Himself planted tomatoes and peppers and we both planted some flowers.
We already had put in onions and potatoes and radish. I have actually harvested a half dozen of small to medium radishes. This is a big deal for us! Usually our radishes all go to tops and there is no radish. this year, I planted in the Moon Sign spelled out for me the Farmers Almanac.
Today we packed up and drove to The Lake. We were on the road at 8 am. When you get to be our age you get up early. We don't sleep well anymore so one of us is almost always up at 5:30. At home, I even set my alarm. If I don't get up early, I won't go to bed at night.
I am going to try to write daily. If you don't find a post here at Nana's View, check out Two at Twin Lake.
And I would love to see the land of Anne of Green Gables. I hear it is a fairy land. Well it is if you go in August. Otherwise, it might be cold and snowy.
So yesterday we mowed. No we didn't, Himself mowed.
I took Alice out for a country gad and gab.
At 8 am Himself and I went and shopped T O G E T H E R at Fareway and bought about $50 worth of what we used to call 'bedding plants'. Then we planted them. I have learned if we are going to grocery shop together we will be at Fareway at 8 am. Or once in awhile at WalMart at 8 am.
Then we gardened. Himself planted tomatoes and peppers and we both planted some flowers.
We already had put in onions and potatoes and radish. I have actually harvested a half dozen of small to medium radishes. This is a big deal for us! Usually our radishes all go to tops and there is no radish. this year, I planted in the Moon Sign spelled out for me the Farmers Almanac.
Today we packed up and drove to The Lake. We were on the road at 8 am. When you get to be our age you get up early. We don't sleep well anymore so one of us is almost always up at 5:30. At home, I even set my alarm. If I don't get up early, I won't go to bed at night.
I am going to try to write daily. If you don't find a post here at Nana's View, check out Two at Twin Lake.
Monday, May 05, 2014
2014 Vacation - Day 14
Before we left on "Vacation" I had told Himself that I thought a two-week schedule would be just about right. Counting the first day that we went to the cabin in Mo through yesterday when we got back to Creston, we were 'out' 13 days. What??? what happened to my two weeks?
So today, I told Himself forget it, I'm on vacation. ha ha It didn't keep me from doing my chores and gardening, but -- still! I am on vacation.
Side note -- I went over to see Aunt Alice this afternoon. It had been too long. We gadded a bit and caught up on news. I'm pretty sure you would be surprised to hear Aunt Alice talk when we are on a country ride. I sure do enjoy taking her out and catching up.
Vacation Recap -- including Iowa and Missouri, we drove through one-fifth of the United States. We hit 10 states and drove almost 4,000 miles.
Is that crazy? or what? 4,000 miles! 3,746 miles to be exact. I love it!
Himself is still stunned since doing the math. He is expected to have a full recovery.
That is the longest vacation we have ever had together. That is the longest we have ever been in a car together. We did really well tho. I just make sure to eat a little bit of something every two hours and when I say "it is time to eat lunch", we eat lunch. I do not like being that way but 'it is what it is' as they are saying now-a-days; the new mantra. It is what it is.
We travel with a cooler and a picnic basket and lunch is usually on-the-go or at a picnic area, church or cemetery. It works. And we love the free 'Continental Breakfasts" offered at most hotels anymore.
Some observations -- We drove through a town in South Eastern Arkansas where we saw 0 whites. It was unusual. It was what it was -- just unusual.
We saw Civil War era plantations and creole architecture.
We saw a Shanty Boat life style in Louisiana. Miles of water with shacks and cabins and boats.
We saw the tourist traps of the Gulf Coast. Pink Flamingo alert!! and Beach Shops 50% off. You probably remember those areas.
We saw miles and miles of farm/ranch/grazing lands. Middle class Americans earning a living from the land and it was mixed in amongst all the other climates, in every state.
We saw swamp land and two alligators.
We had Spring on the way south. Redbuds and Wild Plum. Dogwoods, tulips, then iris and peonies. We had spring again on the way home. Redbuds and Wild Plum. Dogwoods, tulips, then iris and peonies. Then we got home and get to have Redbuds again and tulips and still have iris and peonies to look forward to.
We had soft, silky white sand on the Gulf and Florida's beaches. We had Palm Trees and tropical plants. We had Spanish influence and Christopher Columbus and Don Juan Ponce de Leon. Remember him? Did you really ever know that his first name was Don Juan? no, not me, either.
We got teased with a Mullet Throw.
We got stuck in traffic in Alabama.
We got rode out of New Orleans on a rail -- Friday rush hour traffic!
We had the Tide ebbing and flowing and the roar of the surf. A time or two I wondered how I could turn that ocean noise off. (I suppose, just like a train, I would get used to that in time.) Other times, I wished I could open my bedroom window so the ocean surf would lull me to sleep.
We walked on the beach. We lay on a chaise under a beach umbrella for some and in the tropical sun for others. We watched people.
We drank from the Fountain of Youth and climbed 200+ steps up to the top of a light house.
Our best meal was at the Fountain of Youth park, an outdoor lunch counter. Himself had a Cuban Burger and I had crab cakes and the best salad ever. Really? This could happen in Creston, Ia. Why not?
Life is full of pleasant surprises. My advise to my loved ones is to roll with the punches when the going is a little rough and be steadfast when times are ordinary so that you can enjoy with open arms the unexpected pleasures like a Cuban burger at a State Park.
Travel often, my friend. Travel safe.
So today, I told Himself forget it, I'm on vacation. ha ha It didn't keep me from doing my chores and gardening, but -- still! I am on vacation.
Side note -- I went over to see Aunt Alice this afternoon. It had been too long. We gadded a bit and caught up on news. I'm pretty sure you would be surprised to hear Aunt Alice talk when we are on a country ride. I sure do enjoy taking her out and catching up.
Vacation Recap -- including Iowa and Missouri, we drove through one-fifth of the United States. We hit 10 states and drove almost 4,000 miles.
Is that crazy? or what? 4,000 miles! 3,746 miles to be exact. I love it!
Himself is still stunned since doing the math. He is expected to have a full recovery.
That is the longest vacation we have ever had together. That is the longest we have ever been in a car together. We did really well tho. I just make sure to eat a little bit of something every two hours and when I say "it is time to eat lunch", we eat lunch. I do not like being that way but 'it is what it is' as they are saying now-a-days; the new mantra. It is what it is.
We travel with a cooler and a picnic basket and lunch is usually on-the-go or at a picnic area, church or cemetery. It works. And we love the free 'Continental Breakfasts" offered at most hotels anymore.
Some observations -- We drove through a town in South Eastern Arkansas where we saw 0 whites. It was unusual. It was what it was -- just unusual.
We saw Civil War era plantations and creole architecture.
We saw a Shanty Boat life style in Louisiana. Miles of water with shacks and cabins and boats.
We saw the tourist traps of the Gulf Coast. Pink Flamingo alert!! and Beach Shops 50% off. You probably remember those areas.
We saw miles and miles of farm/ranch/grazing lands. Middle class Americans earning a living from the land and it was mixed in amongst all the other climates, in every state.
We saw swamp land and two alligators.
We had Spring on the way south. Redbuds and Wild Plum. Dogwoods, tulips, then iris and peonies. We had spring again on the way home. Redbuds and Wild Plum. Dogwoods, tulips, then iris and peonies. Then we got home and get to have Redbuds again and tulips and still have iris and peonies to look forward to.
We had soft, silky white sand on the Gulf and Florida's beaches. We had Palm Trees and tropical plants. We had Spanish influence and Christopher Columbus and Don Juan Ponce de Leon. Remember him? Did you really ever know that his first name was Don Juan? no, not me, either.
We got teased with a Mullet Throw.
We got stuck in traffic in Alabama.
We got rode out of New Orleans on a rail -- Friday rush hour traffic!
We had the Tide ebbing and flowing and the roar of the surf. A time or two I wondered how I could turn that ocean noise off. (I suppose, just like a train, I would get used to that in time.) Other times, I wished I could open my bedroom window so the ocean surf would lull me to sleep.
We walked on the beach. We lay on a chaise under a beach umbrella for some and in the tropical sun for others. We watched people.
We drank from the Fountain of Youth and climbed 200+ steps up to the top of a light house.
Our best meal was at the Fountain of Youth park, an outdoor lunch counter. Himself had a Cuban Burger and I had crab cakes and the best salad ever. Really? This could happen in Creston, Ia. Why not?
Life is full of pleasant surprises. My advise to my loved ones is to roll with the punches when the going is a little rough and be steadfast when times are ordinary so that you can enjoy with open arms the unexpected pleasures like a Cuban burger at a State Park.
Travel often, my friend. Travel safe.
Sunday, May 04, 2014
2014 Vacation - Day 13
Today was 'Home' Day, or 'Iowa Day'.
We were up and attem early and on the road by 7:20 am. Himself hadn't been able to get to sleep then woke up early. I thought I laid awake all night wishing for my nice, soft bed at home but 'not so', Himself said. I must have made plenty of sleeping noises. haha (we don't say snore anymore)
Our last motel on the road was our least favorite. The condition of the motel was just fair. The bed and linens all looked clean but when we checked in we were absolutely the only car in the parking lot. I got up this morning with a dozen bites and am hoping they were just spider bites and not bedbug bites. I did report the bites to somebody who 'worked there' but wasn't the manager. If I determine they were bedbug bites, I'll make an official report but I am so sensitive to spiders, who knows. As a precaution, when we got home I washed and dried on hot, all the clothes in Himself's suitcase and on me and parked the suitcase outside to bake in the sun.
We partook of a meager, free breakfast at the motel, said our goodbyes (not!) and headed home.
I did think about teasing Himself and telling him we were going to stop and tour some tourist attraction . . . but then decided that would be about as much fun as swinging a raccoon by it's tail. And I didn't.
We crossed the Illinois River east of Hannibal, Missouri and crossed the Mississippi at Qunicy on 24 Hwy. We drove north in Missouri on 61 Hwy and crossed into Iowa near Keokuk.
We brought Hwy 34 across Iowa and cruised on home about 1:45 pm.
At home we found these lovely quince in bloom, the lilacs beginning and the tulips in full bloom. I was afraid we had missed the tulips but we didn't and are in time to watch the columbine and bleeding hearts.
Tomorrow, I will recap the vacation!
We were up and attem early and on the road by 7:20 am. Himself hadn't been able to get to sleep then woke up early. I thought I laid awake all night wishing for my nice, soft bed at home but 'not so', Himself said. I must have made plenty of sleeping noises. haha (we don't say snore anymore)
Our last motel on the road was our least favorite. The condition of the motel was just fair. The bed and linens all looked clean but when we checked in we were absolutely the only car in the parking lot. I got up this morning with a dozen bites and am hoping they were just spider bites and not bedbug bites. I did report the bites to somebody who 'worked there' but wasn't the manager. If I determine they were bedbug bites, I'll make an official report but I am so sensitive to spiders, who knows. As a precaution, when we got home I washed and dried on hot, all the clothes in Himself's suitcase and on me and parked the suitcase outside to bake in the sun.
We partook of a meager, free breakfast at the motel, said our goodbyes (not!) and headed home.
I did think about teasing Himself and telling him we were going to stop and tour some tourist attraction . . . but then decided that would be about as much fun as swinging a raccoon by it's tail. And I didn't.
We crossed the Illinois River east of Hannibal, Missouri and crossed the Mississippi at Qunicy on 24 Hwy. We drove north in Missouri on 61 Hwy and crossed into Iowa near Keokuk.
 |
| This is over the Illinois River, I think! |
We had another pretty drive and got to enjoy a second spring as the Redbuds are blooming in Iowa. We enjoyed beautiful Redbuds in several different states on the way to Forida and again this past week coming home all the way through Kentucky.
At home we found these lovely quince in bloom, the lilacs beginning and the tulips in full bloom. I was afraid we had missed the tulips but we didn't and are in time to watch the columbine and bleeding hearts.
Tomorrow, I will recap the vacation!
Saturday, May 03, 2014
2014 Vacation - Day 12
I don't know why I started labeling each day -- but today would be Kentucky / Illinois Day. Himself and I (well, okay, Himself deemed it : ) decided we had to make time so we hit some Interstate highways and we didn't stop to sight see today. We did some serious traveling!
We were in the car ten or eleven hours today. I can't tell you how many miles but it was probably 5 times the number of miles we traveled yesterday.
We were in the car ten or eleven hours today. I can't tell you how many miles but it was probably 5 times the number of miles we traveled yesterday.
 |
| Kentucky Cumberland Parkway |
 |
| Sunn Hemp, a cover crop, found in western Kentucky. Beautiful! |
Kentucky and southern Illinois are just beautiful! Green was the color of the day, with yellow a close second and Lavender nominated for Miss Congeniality. The theme of the day was Barns and the aroma of the day was Sweet! We saw blooming trees and shrubs all thru Kentucky and then we got to Illinois to find Red Buds blooming (again) and the crabapple and fruit trees in bloom. This late afternoon and evening driving to Springfield, Illinois was an event in fragrance.
 |
| Wisteria Trees blooming in Kentucky. Lovely! |
To get from Kentucky to Illinois, one crosses a bridge over the Ohio River.
The Ohio will eventually empty into the Mississippi River.
We crossed from Kentucky into Illinois at Paducah.
The Bridges were pretty cool!
I have really been blessed.
I saw Redbuds blooming on the way south at the beginning of our vacation.
Now I'm watching them bloom again, on the way north.
It was a good day.
Friday, May 02, 2014
2014 Vacation - Day 11
I thought today should be called "Appalachian Appreciation Day"
Himself voted for "Missing Iowa's flat, square mile roads" Day.
Looking at the map, choosing a route home is easy.
Imaging the terrain of that route is sometimes not so easy and sometimes plain deceptive.
We chose South Carolina State Route 28/81 running north along the east side of the Savannah River, a sizeable stretch of water dividing Georgia from South Carolina. It started out innocently enough, curvy roads with gentle curves tempted us further up the road. Beautiful green leaves on the trees and lawns and pastures lush and vibrant. And then the curves sharpened. The rolling hills turned into mountain grades. The road narrowed to two lanes. Many 20 mph curves. No passing.
Up Hill.
Down Hill.
No passing lanes and fisherman in a hurry to get to the next fishing hole.
We did have a rare, occasional break from trees and shrubs.
Later on there were gorgeous, pastel lavender blooming Wisteria trees.
Miles and miles.
From Georgia to South Carolina.
From South Carolina to Georgia.
From Georgia to North Carolina.
From North Carolina to Tennessee.
It was a wild ride and one of us didn't ask to get in this saddle.
Later on after the worst was over, it all settled
back into perspective and didn't seem so bad.
It will be a time to look back on and say 'remember when'.
It really, truly was a lovely experience in a pretty day;
reading three maps was mentally challenging
and the driving re-honed our mountain driving skills.
Thursday, May 01, 2014
2014 Vacation -- Day 10
Today was a Travel Day, with a little sight seeing trip thrown in.
We left Daytona Beach this morning about 8:30. We drove north so as to find the Produce Stand and buy local fresh grapefruit to take home. I am traveling with a Tropical Sage that I bought at one of the gardens yesterday and now we throw in a half bushel of Ruby grapefruits. We considered buying locally grown Vidalia Onions to bring home too but finally nixed that idea as we were afraid the citrus aroma wouldn't cover the aroma of the Onions.
We headed straight north to Georgia. Terrain started to change only miles down the road. We left the tropical environment of the Atlantic Ocean and entered the green, lush, wet climate of the Swamp. We stopped at Okefenokee Swamp Park @ Waycross, Georgia and enjoyed a train ride and information about the area.
We ended up near Augusta, Georgia. We got about half way through Georgia today, bottom to top. Tomorrow we will land in South Carolina for awhile.
Himself has added these States to his list of 'been there' -- Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Tomorrow, hopefully South Carolina and North Carolina. Perhaps he has already been in North Carolina when we came down the coast on the Washington, DC trip.
I run out of time and energy at the end of our days so just throwing these entries together. Hopefully I catch most of the spelling errors as I really hate posting something with a misspelled word. So bear with me! Make excuses. Will see you all soon.
We left Daytona Beach this morning about 8:30. We drove north so as to find the Produce Stand and buy local fresh grapefruit to take home. I am traveling with a Tropical Sage that I bought at one of the gardens yesterday and now we throw in a half bushel of Ruby grapefruits. We considered buying locally grown Vidalia Onions to bring home too but finally nixed that idea as we were afraid the citrus aroma wouldn't cover the aroma of the Onions.
We headed straight north to Georgia. Terrain started to change only miles down the road. We left the tropical environment of the Atlantic Ocean and entered the green, lush, wet climate of the Swamp. We stopped at Okefenokee Swamp Park @ Waycross, Georgia and enjoyed a train ride and information about the area.
We ended up near Augusta, Georgia. We got about half way through Georgia today, bottom to top. Tomorrow we will land in South Carolina for awhile.
Himself has added these States to his list of 'been there' -- Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Tomorrow, hopefully South Carolina and North Carolina. Perhaps he has already been in North Carolina when we came down the coast on the Washington, DC trip.
Roads are lined with tall pine trees and other kinds.
We saw groves of trees, all beautifully aligned and decide they are pecan trees,
Georgia is known for Pecans and Peaches.
We have not seen Peach orchards yet.
We found water lilies blooming along the road
and then all over in the Swamp.
They are beautiful!
Bottle Brush?
I love the lushness of the swamp but was attacked ferociously by a hoard of mosquitos.
This is a blind, 57 year old female alligator that lives in the Okefenokee Swamp.
A single water lily.
We had another good day. We cooked breakfast in the condo at Daytona, we had a picnic lunch at the park and we had juicy, messy, good Sonic Burgers here before checking into to this motel.
Our best meal yet was the other day at the Fountain of Youth Park. Himself had a Cuban burger with rice and black beans and I had crab cakes with a luscious spinach and veggie salad.
Himself can't wait to get home (get out of here! he said. lol) but is restraining himself.
Expect us home on Sunday.
I am enjoying every minute out and wouldn't come home
except for my children and grandchildren.
2014 Vacation -- World Mark at Wyndham
Our stay at Daytona Beach was in a 2 bedroom suite. Living, dining, kitchen, 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. It was luxurious and comfortable and decorated in what I call "Florida Modern".
We were on the 14th floor, beach side. We spent time on the beach, on the boardwalk and a LOT of time on the balcony watching 14 stories down. We watched sunrise, sunset, rain, thunder and lightening. We watched the crew clean pools and patios and put everything back to rights.
And we watched people. Lots of people.
We were on the 14th floor, beach side. We spent time on the beach, on the boardwalk and a LOT of time on the balcony watching 14 stories down. We watched sunrise, sunset, rain, thunder and lightening. We watched the crew clean pools and patios and put everything back to rights.
And we watched people. Lots of people.
I can fully recommend Worldmark @ Wyndham.
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