Coming Home

Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2016

Here we are in Flagstaff, AZ.  Continuing to head due west.  Yippee!!  Am I homesick?  You betcha!  

So, where have we been since I last wrote from Branson, MO?  All the way to the Atlantic Ocean, that's where!  So much has happened; we have seen so much!  Where to start?

We left Georgia on November 16th.  Spent first night in Meridian, Mississippi.  Second night in Canton, Texas--not much there to write home about.  From there we drove to Oklahoma City.  Spent three nights there--Oz's back needed some rest from driving.  Plus, we needed that time to recover from the stress of driving through Dallas, TX, on Friday!  Can you spell T R A F F I C???  I was using my iPad Mini and the Google Maps app to guide us through the twisting and turning horror of the freeway changes.  At one point she (the female voice on the Google Maps app) announced that, due to an accident ahead and a major slowdown of traffic, she was re-routing us around it.  Instant PANIC on my part!  I don't enjoy being re-routed!  But, we followed her instructions and changed routes.  However, even tho there was no accident on the new route, due to road construction, we were thrust into a different type of slowdown.  Took us forever to reach the north side of the big D.  We were soooooo happy to finally see Dallas in our rear view mirror!

Dallas Skyline

See what I mean about the Dallas freeway system!

The Rockwell RV park where we stayed in OK City

 invited all the RV'ers to a Thanksgiving dinner.  They served turkey and ham and all the fixins.  Since we were spending 3 nights in OK City, we had a chance to look around.  The most moving experience was visiting the memorial site of the former Murrah Building.  It is diffiult to believe that this horrific event occurred 21 years ago.  Here is how the building looked right after the bombing.

And, part of the memorial that now stands on the site.

The reflection pool

Part of the 90-year old American Elm Tree now known as the "Survivor Tree."  This tree was in a parking lot across the street from the Murrah Building.  At the point of the explosion, a burning car hood was propelled into the upper branches of this tree.  It was badly scorched.  Also, shrapnel and broken glass were embedded in the trunk of this tree.  Initially, the tree was tagged for removal.  

However, two OK City men championed its cause and saved the tree.  It stands beautiful (I took this photo yesterday) to this day.  I had a short conversation with the tree, touched its trunk, and thanked it for standing strong.

We drove to Amarillo, TX from Oklahoma City.  Then on to Albuquerque for two nights.  And, now in Flagstaff, AZ.  Thanksgiving Dinner tonight at The Horseman Inn here in Flag.  They are having a buffet with turkey, ham, and prime rib.  My mouth is salivating as I type this info.  Been reading on Facebook all day about everybody's TG dinners.

So, Georgia.  What a grand time we had there!!!  We were able to escape the confines of the RV for several weeks and stay with my brother and his wife--Stephen and Betty Sue Palmer--in their beautiful home. Lots of room to move about.  Wonderful meals--both prepared by my family and those we ate at all my favorite local restaurants!  (Um, I finally weighed myself yesterday morning on the scale that Bob keeps in the RV bathroom.  6 pounds worth of Southern eating!!)  Shortly after we arrived in my hometown of Thomson, Georgia, a huge welcoming party was thrown for us at the local boat club.  The chief honchos of this event were my sister, Ginger Blalock, and my cousins, Judy and Jack Garrison.   I can never thank them enough for all the work and planning that went into making this wonderful event happen! We had a fabulous time and saw tons of people--some of whom I had not seen for years.  It was probably a bit overwhelming for poor Oz.  But I had warned him ahead of time.  He took it all in good grace.

Another highlight of the trip to the South was our week spent at Edisto Beach--despite Hurricane Matthew's attempts to derail that visit!  Long before Matthew reared its ugly head, Bob had booked a two bedroom condo with his Wyndham timeshare points at the Edisto Island facility.  Then Matthew did its nasty work on my beloved island.  Things looked good at first, tho, despite reports of some major damage to the island, including 4-5 feet of beach sand washed onto the main road on the beach side.  However, about a week before our departure date, the dreaded call came--Wyndham was not going to reopen in time for our arrival.  Heartbreak!!  But, we put on our big girl panties (well, maybe not Oz) and found a house of sorts right on the beach with a great price--$500 for the week!!  We booked it and off we went.  OK, maybe the place was not up to our usual island-living standards.  But it was ON THE BEACH--FOR $500!!!  FOR A WEEK!!

Bear in mind, we only have a small portion of this large house.  It is divided into three apartments.

What a fabulous time we had.  And, as usual, the week just FLEW  by!!  But, we filled it with lots of activities.  On the very first morning after we arrived, Ginger and I headed out to the deck you see above to see the sunrise.  Our routine every time we visit Edisto.  We were not disappointed!  As usual, spectacular!  Here are a couple of my shots (with my new iPhone 7 camera/phone).

 Then, there was the shark's tooth hunting.  My favorite activity when we visit in the summer.  I could not find a single one this time.  However, my sister, Ginger, found two of them--just laying there on the beach!  Younger eyes!  Here was the best one:

  

A little data about these sharks teeth (I have literally hundreds of these fossils that I have found over the years):

Sharks can shed many thousands of teeth throughout their lifetime. In order for these teeth to fossilize, they must sink to the seafloor and be quickly covered by sediment. Rapid burial is important for fossilization for a number of reasons. First, the sediment acts to protect the teeth from the weathering, abrasion, and scavenging that could occur if they were exposed to open water and currents. Secondly, burial also limits exposure to oxygen and bacteria which are responsible for decay. The process of fossilization is a slow one that usually takes thousands of years. In the case of shark's teeth, they are preserved through a process known as permineralization. Which occurs as water seeps down through the sediments and over the teeth. This water carries different minerals in it that are deposited into open pore spaces in the teeth. The most common minerals are silica and calcite but other local minerals are deposited as well. Depending on which minerals are present teeth can be found in a wide variety of different colors, ranging from blue/grey to black to orange/red to white to green.


Soooo, enough about sharks teeth--moving on.  Another favorite activity is early morning beach combing.  Oh, the treasures we found!  More photos:

 I call this one "old man of the sea."

 Ginger--the master sharks tooth finder!

 Our take--yes, Mary Kay Bornfleth--some of them are coming your way!

I should have put something next to this one so you could see how small it is--the most perfect shell of its type that I have ever found!

Regarding the damage that Matthew wreaked on my beloved Edisto--sadly, many houses on the beach were condemned--perhaps to be habitable again when repairs are made.  But, at least 5 of them had the dreaded red tag--meaning they were damaged beyond repair and will have to be torn down.  Approaching Atlantic hurricanes are always one of my greatest fears for Edisto.  Since Hugo in 1989, good fortune has, for the most part, smiled on Edisto.   But not this time.  However, lots of cleaning and rebuilding going on.  They will be back!

One day, while at Edisto, Bob, Ginger and I drove to Charleston.  What a good time we had!  Visited the Waterfront.

Swings overlooking the waterfront

The Pineapple Fountain on the Waterfront is a famous Charleston landmark.

Lunch at Poogan's Porch

And, lastly we visited the Charleston City Market.  Here is a little data:

The City Market, or Centre Market, is a historic market complex in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Established in the 1790s, the market stretches for four city blocks from the architecturally-significant Market Hall, which faces Meeting Street, through a continuous series of one-story market sheds, the last of which terminates at East Bay Street. The Market Hall has been described as a building of the "highest architectural design quality."^[1] The entire complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Market Hall and Sheds and was further designated a National Historic Landmark.^[1][4]

Initially known as the Centre Market, Charleston's City Market was developed as a replacement for the city's Beef Market building (on the site of Charleston's City Hall, 100 Broad Street), which burned in 1796. Market Hall, designed by Charleston architect Edward B. White, was added in the early 1840s. Throughout the 19th century, the market provided a convenient place for area farms and plantations to sell beef and produce, and also acted as a place for locals to gather and socialize.^[5] Today, the City Market's vendors sell souvenirs and other items ranging from jewelry to Gullah sweetgrass baskets.

Needless to say a bit of shopping took place within the blocks and blocks of the Market!  Bob gave out first and told us he would meet us at at a bar across the street when we finished.  Ginger and I only quit because our feet were killing us.  But, some neat stuff we found there just might show up under the Christmas tree.

One last comment about Charleston--leaving and returning to Edisto Island, we took our usual favorite shortcut--

Now, Savanna, Georgia.  I cannot begin to tell you what a difference it makes to visit that lovely city in November versus middle of the summer.  I have done both--November is better!!  So, the highlights of this trip.  First of all, Savannah is chock-full of fabulous restaurants.  I have been to a few over the years. Had a couple in mind for where I wanted to eat on this trip.  Oz had other ideas.  He is a barbecue  aficionado from way back.  On this trip alone, we have probably eaten in at least 7 or 8 b/q joints, some more than once.  At some point before we headed to Savannah, he had read in a POPULAR SCIENCE magazine--yes, I said Popular Science--about a "fabulous" b/q place called Mr. B's in Savannah.  Reluctantly acknowledging that this is his trip also, and trying to gracefully ignore his dismissal of my obviously superior knowledge regarding where to eat in Savannah, Ginger and I agreed to give "his" choice a try.  Well,to start with, it WAS NOT in Savannah.  It was in a dang strip mall at least  15 miles beyond the outskirts of Savannah.  We read in the menu that the original Mr. B's had burned to the ground a year ago.  Then we got the food. . . . .  Just not good.  B/q meat not up to par.  And, I don't know where Mr. B got his recipe for hash--but SWEET hash???  Ain't no way!!  (Only mostly my Southern friends will have a clue as to what I am talking about.)  Anyway, even Oz admitted that meal was a mistake!  The highlight of Savannah was the tour we took.  Our tour guide, while not the best historian, was hilarious.  Some photos we took:

One of the beautiful homes in the historic district

St. John's Cathedral--seen during the opening credits of the movie, Forrest Gump

  

We took more photos of Savannah but my photo transferring process is not cooperating with me this afternoon.

One more highlight (there were sooooo many but I need to bring this part of the blog to a close) of the Edisto trip--our two visits to the Edisto Book Store and my favorite long-term resident there, Miss Emily Grace--she was rescued from the parking lot several years back and lives in the store.

One of the sweetest kitty cats I have ever met!

So, just a few more photos to close the Georgia chapter:

 A beautiful tree frog that Bob found one morning on the door knob of Stephen and Betty Sue's house 

 The lovely home of Bonnie and Charles Johnson--where we had a delicious lunch and tour one day

 One of many Fall/Halloween decorations on Main Street in Thomson

Taken of Bob during a private tour of McCorkles Nursery

We celebrated Bob's birthday in Georgia at Bob's Bait and Tackle and restaurant!

My good-looking nephew, John Blalock.  He is single, ladies--we need to find him a girlfriend!!

Soooo, I will bring this tome to a close.  Tomorrow we drive to Las Vegas and stay one night.  Then Saturday we head to Ridgecrest.  Cannot wait to see my house, drive my car, use my stove, and see all my friends.  Adios, amigos!  Til next time!  You never know.  And a huge THANK YOU to all of you who have read these blogs and made comments.  All 8 of them have been works of love.

Glamgirl and Oz

  
  

We're Not in Kansas anymore, Toto

Yep, we have moved on!  Currently, we are in Branson, Missouri, known far and wide as (according to Wikipedia) the live music captital of the world.

A few facts--again, compliments of Wikipedia:

--Located in the Ozark Mountains (not exactly like the Rockies--but beautiful).
--Population (not counting thousands of tourists) around 11, 000.
--A popular vacation destination with more than 50 entertainment theaters--lots of "tribute" acts (read fake Elvises and fake almost any other mostly country entertainer you can imagine).
--The huge Lake Taneycomo--formed after the White River was dammed (as opposed to "damned") in 1912.
--Some episodes (in their 8th season and were stretching for new ideas) of the Beverly Hillbillies were filmed around the Branson area.
--Andy Williams built (well, paid to have built) his Moon River theater in Branson in 1992--sadly, he no longer sings there--at least not in a "live" performance.
--Glen Campbell built his Goodtime theater here in 1994--sadly, he is no longer able to perform (tho his family would probably do most anything to get him back on a stage for the $$.  Did any of you happen to see the relatively recent documentary of Glen's last tour?  While his family claimed he was very happy to be performing in his quickly deteriorating Alzhimers state of mind, it was rather pathetic to watch at times).

An iconic landmark in Branson

In 2012 an F-2 tornado struck parts of Branson.  There was some 3 million dollars worth of damage in the city--the evidence of which is still visible around town where still-empty lots are located.  Most of the damage was repaired quickly tho.  No theater=no money coming in.

And, lastly in my fact-finding report, Wikipedia states that the climate here in Branson is categorized as "sub-tropical."  Oz thinks this would be a beautiful place to live.  I agree that it is beautiful--the trees around the area are on the very verge of bursting out in glorious fall colors.  But a sub-tropical climate--I am thinking the big NO!

But I am waaaay ahead of myself here.  Where were we before Branson (I can just hear you screaming that question right now)?  Well, after we left Durango, we spent a couple of nights in Walsenburg, CO, on our way to Pratt, Missouri.  We stayed in Lathrop State Park.  Two major downsides to that sojourn--NO WIFI and no sewer hook-up--a relatively big deal when traveling in an RV.  However, we did meet and share wine with a very nice group of folks who were traveling together.  They were all in Hitchhiker 5th wheel RV's (sort of a club) and were on their way to Albuquerque to attend the balloon festival.  One couple was traveling with their rather unattractive little toy poodle whose name I did not retain in my memory bank.  Another of the group was accompanying their cat, who apparently goes everywhere with them.  The cat sat outside with the group but was defiitely not thrilled with the dog.  We were told that the two pets had a little set-to the night before, and the cat emerged as the winner--the poodle had an owie on its nose.  The park setting was nice--quiet and calm.  Eastern Colorado has rolling hills and scrub brush.

This is not our RV.

On the last day of September, we left Colorado and entered Kansas.   I have always been told that Kansas has a very flat and boring landscape.  I did not find that description to be true.  Relatively flat--especially compared to that of Western Colorado.  But the fields of Kansas are beautiful; planted for the fall/winter in wheat and milo.  How many people reading this blog are familiar with milo--raise     your hand.  From the internet:  "Farmers on the hot, dry plains from Texas to South Dakota grow and use grain sorghum (milo) like Corn Belt farmers use corn.  During the past 25 years, the grain sorghum acreage in the U.S. has ranged from 15 to 18 million acres per year. Grain sorghum acreage is somewhat greater than acreages for oats and barley, but considerably less than the land area planted to corn, wheat, and soybeans."  The fields are beautiful!

A milo field

As I understand it, milo is used to feed cattle.  Anyway, I learned something new--had never even heard of milo before entering Kansas!

Another feature of Kansas are cows, cows, cows!!!  And, along with cows come feedlots.  There are all those cows, munching their merry way towards becoming a nice ribeye or porterhouse steak.  I tried to yell at them to stop eating and stay skinny but did they listen?  Nooooo!  I had expected to see fields of sunflowers but have since been told that October is too late in the season.  I did see fields of dead sunflowers--awaiting the collection of their seeds--another big business.  And, we also passed a Tyson Chicken processing plant--the smell of burning chicken feathers was absolutely nauseating!  Then we passed a huge truck, full of live chickens on their one-way trip to the chicken processing plant.  I have to tell you--I like my meat but DO NOT like seeing it in a truck on the road!

In Garden City, KS, on our way to our destination of Pratt, we saw a huge factory/plant/whatever where the parts for the GIANT windmills (think Mojave/Tehachapi) are manufactured.  Seeing the blades and "stems" up close was pretty mind-blowing.

Finally, we arrive in Pratt.  Home of Bob's sister-in-law, Karen, and his brother-in-law, Bob Pinkall.  Karen is Linda's sister.

They were superb hosts for us, both in Pratt and again down here in Branson for the past week!  But before I talk about all our exciting activities in Kansas, first a little data about Pratt.  How many of you (who don't live in Kansas) have ever heard of Pratt?  Uh huh, that's what I thought.  Well, for starters, Pratt is the county seat of Pratt County.  They have a population of around 7,000 (humans, that is--there are probably right around 4 billion cows in the area).  Pratt has a community college named  . . . . wait for it . . . . Pratt Community College.  Their high school team is the Pratt Greenbacks.  And, this is pretty big--their town hosts the Miss Kansas Pageant every year!!!

Bob and Karen have three really nice sons who are all married to really nice women.

Rita and Bruce Pinkall

Bruce and Rita's daughter, Katie, her husband, Justin, and baby Logan

Allen and Charlotte Pinkall

Michelle and Gary Pinkall with Myah the wonder dog

The second night in Pratt, we drove to Garden City (along with Rita) and watched a community college football game at which Bruce was the head referee.  Learning about referee duties gave me a whole 'nother perspective from which to view football (not that I had much perspective to start with--ooops--the grammar queen meant to say "with which to start."  The home team won and other than the occasional unpleasant whiff of a nearby stockyard when the wind shifted, a good time was had by all!

The stadium was spectacular!

Me and Rita at the football game--did I tell you that she is married to the head referee?

The Garden City community college football Mascot

The next day we were invited to a delicious dinner at Bruce and Rita's house.  And, that day I also met Linda's other sister, Diane Floyd.  She was on her way home to Johnson City, having just attended her high school reunion in Hutchinson.  Diane is the youngest of the three Nonken sisters.

Me and Diane

On Tuesday the two Bobs, Karen and I drove to Hutchinson and toured a salt mine--once called the Carey Salt Mine.  As a quick side note, Oz once worked for Morton Salt there in Hutchinson.  It was in Hutchinson where he met Linda.  The salt mine was formed about 275 million years ago when the Permian Sea dried up (cannot think of a way to not end that sentence with a preposition).  It was not discovered until 1887 when a fellow was drilling for oil and found the salt deposit instead.  The tour took place 650 feet underground--we got there (wearing our hard hats) via a freight elevator.

The second time on this trip where a hard hat was required!

Riding the salt mine train. 

Strataca--under which the salt mine is located.

Bob and Karen

Bob's very artsy photo of his shadow in the mine.

Now for the really interesting part of the mine tour--also existing in the mine is an underground Vault and Storage facility used to store a vast number of original Hollywood movies and TV shows (with many costumes), as well as millions of  documents and items from all over the world in a secure and environmentally conducive place.  Lastly, there is a lot of trash in the mine dating all the way back to when the mine was first operated.  It is the rule (and the neat nick in me doth protest greatly) that "what goes in the mine stays in the mine."  Trash, people!  That does not make a whit of sense to me! Alright--enough about the mine!

In the afternoon after our tour of the salt mine, we drove out to Allen and Charlotte's lovely home.  First we walked down to the barn and met their two horses--one of which is HUGE!  But a gentle giant.  Next we got to meet the cat and then the two wild and crazy doggies.  Later we all went to a nice Italian restaurant for dinner.

Next day Karen chauffeured me around town--first to meet her friend for coffee at a delightful shop called Simply Southwest.  I could have spent hours in that store.  Next we visited a couple of dress shops (where I may have purchased a little sump'em-sump'em).  That evening Gary, Michelle, and Myah (the wonder dog) came to Bob and Karen's house for a delicious dinner (one of many great meals that Karen prepared for us during the course of our visit). 

On Thursday Karen drove me to Wichita to meet a friend of mine, Melinda Meckenstock.  We have known each other for several years but had never actually met in person.  Melinda is a relative of sorts (it's complicated) on the Hladik side of the family (Al's mom)--she is the step-granddaughter of Andy's brother Frank.  Anyway, when I found out that Oz and I would be going to Kansas, I just knew this might be my only opportunity to finally meet Melinda.  We arranged to meet at a restaurant called Doc's Greens.  Liked the restaurant--loved Melinda!  She ended up spending the afternoon with me and Karen as we flitted around Dillard's Department Store (my favorite store).

Me and Melinda

Karen, me, and Melinda (not sure why my mouth is smiling but my eyes are frowning).

Another football game Friday night--this time Pratt High School v  Who Knows?  Neither Bob nor I can remember.  This game was their homecoming coming.  And, having smartly scheduled a school they knew they could beat, they did just that!

Friday night lights!

Now we come to Saturday and the pièce de résistance.  FRANKIE AVALON appearing at the historic Fox Theater in Hutchinson!!  Before we arrived, Karen had told us that she and Bob had been given tickets to this show last Christmas by the kids.  They managed to procure two more tickets for us.  At first I was thinking, "Frankie Avalon?  Really?"  Man oh man was I ever surprised!  The show was fabulous!  He still has a great voice!  And, in his band was his first-born son (of 4 sons and 4 daughters!), Frankie, Jr.--drummer extroidinaire!  But an even bigger surprise was one of his guitar players and back-up singer--Edan Everly.  Yes, Don (of the Everly Brothers fame) Everly's son.  Don is alive and kicking; but sadly, we lost Phil several years back.  Edan and Frankie sang some of the Everly Brothers songs together, and it was pure magic for me!!!

Frankie Avalon and Edan Everly

The Frankie I remember from the 60's

The Frankie of today--not half bad!

Frankie and our sweet Annette

Alright, winding down now, I promise!  Sunday, our last day in Pratt was spent getting ready to head off to Branson the next day.  Bob discovered that we had somehow left something requiring electricity (or battery power in this case) on in the RV when we stored it for the duration of our Pratt visit.  Guess what was the result of that little oversight. . . . .yep--dead battery.  Fortunately he was able to recharge it on Sunday before our departure on Monday.  He brought the Catfish back over to Karen and Bob's house, and we began the arduous chore of reloading it for the next leg of our trip.  Rita and Bruce came over for one last (for me and Bob at least) delicious Karen lunch.

Soooooo, if you are as tired reading this blog as I am writing it, you will be thrilled to hear about my executive decision--I will write a second blog recounting our Branson adventures.  Maybe tomorrow. Right how a glass of wine is calling my name.  But, first, one last Pratt photo:

Bob was very amused by these Pratt water towers!

Glamgirl and Oz signing out.