trip report

Wednesday; 0545. Would have left at 0530 as planned, but loving hubby spent a few minutes making sure the windshields and mirrors were free of road grime. Lots of deer on the road in the East Texas cloudy misty dawn, rounded a curve near Hideaway and saw three of them. Guess that’s what they do for entertainment, stand on the shoulder and watch the cars go by. Didn’t see any on the way home, but probably due only to the time difference.

An hour or so out of Dallas, heard a beeping sound. No lights on the dash, but it's a new car and all, just couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. Then, eureka, realized the cooler in the front passenger seat was probably heavy enough to require a seat belt, so dropped my speed back considerably from our 75 limit and pulled the seat belt across it. No beep. GOOD! Until a couple of minutes later the beep was back. I’m thinking, well, maybe one of the back doors didn’t latch completely after I loaded the car. But at a quick glance it didn’t appear that was the problem, so continued to try to identify the source. It was only when I ran out of broadcast range for Jody Dean, I was able to determine the sound was coming from my cell phone. DUH!! Brother had sent me a good morning text, and the little phone was valiantly trying to get my attention. Acknowledged the message, and voila! No more beep.

Louisiana welcome center offers free (heavy on the chicory) coffee, but the State has some by-george corduroy roads; woulda spilled more than I could drink. Took a pass on that.

 

Saw the planes flying at Talullah, but no onions at Vidalia.

 

 

The Mississippi Welcome Center perched on the hill above Old Man River was exactly that. Love the huge American flag flying high and proud above the railroad bridge.

 

It's a miracle! No road construction all the way from Dallas to Birmingham except for a half mile on the MS bridge, and again just west of Tuscaloosa. But as far as I’m concerned, the Alabama roads should ALL be under construction, this winter has been really hard on them, and the potholes are not just potholes, they’re bear traps.

Ginger welcomed me into a home warm with love and the most amazing original art on all the walls. She should open a gallery. I cannot thank her enough for not only her hospitality, and an awesome Wi-Fi, but also for some of the best (non chicory) coffee I've ever tasted.

The Memorial Service was incredibly moving. Not just because Renee was my niece, but because everyone there knew her smiles. The lady from the Power Company, who grabbed my hand during the prayer, said she’d never seen Renee when she wasn’t smiling, not even at the very end. Ginger overheard one of the attendees say, “She’s family; ain’t no blood, but she’s family.” That was probably the most endearing tribute anyone could ever pay.

Family and friends gathered at Bill and Kaiki’s house for nourishment. Pictures taken, great nephews loved on and laughed with, hugs all around and especially from Dear Sweet BonBon, and said farewell.

 

Storms that night must have gone all around us, but other than a stiff breeze, we weren’t touched. Lots of water on the road, and heard the Easy Listening station D J talk about several places with downed trees and power lines, but none in Ginger's neighborhood. Thank you, God, for traveling mercies.

Friday; 0430; a 5/8 moon shining down. The Eagles are right, "There are stars in the Southern Sky." Namely, this time of year, Venus. So big and bright I thought it was a plane until I determined a plane doesn’t have lights like that. Comforting on my left shoulder until well past dawn. And with the rosy fingers came the lovely sight of dew on newly-planted magnolias on the easement. And before I forget, the eastern Mississippi Welcome Center has some awesome employees. The rest room attendant and I spent a couple of minutes talking about pre-packaged oatmeal; we decided it gets a thumbs up. (Yes, I WILL talk to just about anybody. ha!) Sitting in the car for a few minutes catching up on text messages, heard a knock on my window; looked up and there stood the night security guard. Once I found the control to lower it (again, that new car thing), that sweet, sweet man said, “I just made a fresh pot of coffee. I’ll get you a cup if you’d like.” I thanked him but declined the offer; no, I wouldn’t take something from somebody I don’t know under any condition; but more, I don’t drink coffee when I travel because it makes me stop too often. For you guys who can’t identify, trust me, it’s an age thing.

And then continued on the roller coaster I’ve come to identify with I-20 through middle Mississippi, and on to the next State. Just before I got to the LA line, saw a billboard advertising a champagne brunch at one of the casinos. The waffles with fresh fruit looked quite appetizing, but the fried chicken (yep, fried chicken) also pictured, well, not so much.

I cried all the way from Meridian to Monroe. Don’t ask me why. I guess it was simply time.

Took pics of the signs for Garrett Road, westbound and eastbound. Love that grandson!

 

 

The Welcome Center in Texas was exactly that. Lovely building; the great sign on the door and the statue in the courtyard both warranted an extra minute to snap two more pics.

 

Somewhere around Mesquite I realized I’d totally lost track of what day it was. And then, finally, home. Twelve hours out, eleven hours back. Still can't figure how that worked out.

OK, by now you're probably wondering about my choice of stops. Because I normally have to travel alone, I will not leave my car when I stop for gas (mid-State) and so depend on welcome centers for rest room breaks, where security guards are always on duty. God bless them, every one.

The car was filled with the sounds of Dixieland Jazz and Harry Connick, Jr., through the bayous and rice fields of the Pelican State; old fashioned country love songs in MissMeSomeSippy; music from my high school years in AL; and Marshall Tucker and Mason Dixon and Linda Ronstadt's Canciones de my Padre in TX. Jesus gives me joy, I simply have to recognize it for what it is.

I'm glad to be home. But I wouldn't trade the trip for all the world. Anytime I can reconnect with family is a God-sent favor. No matter the reason.

Finally, I can never say thank you enough to all the friends and sisters who prayed for my family and me this past three weeks. Specifically, Ginger, Sheila, Elizabeth, Annell, Bobby, Terry, Cindy, Geneva, Kat, Karen, Judi, two Connies, Stephanie, Virginia, Sally, Sandy, Sandra, Denise, Hayes; I felt the presence of your love the entire time. ¡Dios te bendiga!