Cartersville, GA

From Valdosta, we traveled to Cartersville, GA to spend time with our cousins there.  It was wonderful to have time to relax with them and catch up on everything that’s been happening.

While we were there, Thelma took us to dinner at a restaurant named Doug’s in Emerson, Ga. where I was able to get the fried chicken I had been craving since crossing the Georgia line. The walls at Doug’s were lined with old photos and Thelma said that when she had been there a while ago, she had seen an old school photo which included my Uncle Homer.  After dinner, we went in search of the photo and easily found it on a lower level.  The photo was from the 1920’s when Uncle Homer was a teacher at the school.   While we were looking at that photo, I noticed a similar photo in the corner.  When I looked at it, I was surprised to see my Aunt Mary who had also been a teacher at the school! It was a great evening.

We also went to dinner in Euharlee with Gail and Thelma.  We had wonderful BBQ there and then took a stroll to a nearby covered bridge for a photo op.  It was a beautiful cool evening and the walk to the bridge gave us a chance to walk off some of our dinner.

Gail, Thelma & Barb

After dinner, we went to visit Gail’s daughter, Tamara.  We couldn’t wait to see her and her new daughter, Carder.  Carder is a beautiful little girl that stole our hearts!  Getting to meet and hold her was definitely one of highlights of our visit!  We just wish we had more time to spend with them!

Tamara & Carder

Barb, Tamara & Carder

Beautiful Carder

Monday morning was time to load back up and hit the road for Davenport, IA.  We stopped for the night in Bloomington, Il. after covering 652 miles.  Tuesday we arrived in Davenport just before noon.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!! First Stop Valdosta, GA

Yes we're finally back on the road, this time starting with a visit to see Vicki in Valdosta, GA.  Thanks to the threat of Irene, we decided to leave a day early and begin our trip on August 24.  Since this gave us an extra day with Vicki, we weren't upset in the least.  Our only concern was leaving Suzanne to contend with the potential of having to deal with the hurricane alone.  Thank goodness, Irene passed us by!

We've had a wonderful time being with Vicki and getting to learn more about Valdosta.  On Thursday, while Vicki was working, we took the bike out and rode to Tifton Harley Davidson which was 100 mile round trip ride.  It was a beautiful ride through small towns & cotton fields.

Today, Vicki had a day off so we went out to Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area which is the second largest natural blackwater wetland in the Coastal Plain of Georgia.

On the boardwalk with cypress in the background

Barb on Kinderlou Fire Tower

We made it to the top and Vicki & Barb take a rest

Tomorrow we will be sad to say goodbye to Vicki but also excited to head on to Cartersville to visit our newest cousin,  Carder Brock.

We're Home!!!!

We finally arrived back in Pembroke Pines on October 28 after traveling over 19,000 miles in 137 days through 25 States....WOW!  The trip was an amazing experience that we will never forget.  Now we have to figure out how to top it next year!  We're starting to feel "The Hitch Itch!"

Suzanne had taken great care of the house and it made returning home a lot easier.  But I'm not sure she'll ever want to have a pool. Thank you baby for taking care of everything!

19,000+ miles

Destin, FL - Our final stop

After many months of travel we were finally headed home.  But there was one more stop on our itinerary, Destin, FL to see Gin & Lee.

We finally made it back to Florida!

We had a gorgeous campsite in Destin that was only a few blocks from the water.  It was beautiful and a definite plus that we could have our breakfast on the beach.

A gorgeous site!

Destin Beach - Beautiful!

We were excited to get a chance to visit with Gin & Lee for a few days and catch up on how things were going.  

Gin & Lee relaxing on their dock after a long day

Sunset from their dock

Enjoying a dinner together

A return to warm weather and good roads gave us an opportunity to get back on the bike for the first time since the accident in Colorado.  It was a great ride!

Starting the Harley

Destin was a great place to relax.  We dropped the back of the Sandstorm and took in both the view and sunshine.

Tim enjoying the day

While we were visiting, the Destin Festival of Arts was going on at Henderson Beach State Park and we decided to  check it out with Gin & Lee.  It was windy & chilly but we had a chance to see a lot of interesting artwork and had some wonderful food.  After the festival, Gin & Lee came by to check out our camper.

It was a windy, cold day for the Art Festival

Gin & Lee visit us at the campsite

Ft. Walton is home to the Indian Temple Mound and Museum which is about 1,000 years old and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.  It sounded right up our alley so we decided to check it out.

Uktena Shell Cup

The Uktena (Winged Serpent) was a symbol of the the constant battle between good and evil

Buck-Long Effigy Urn.  

This urn most likely contained the ashes of an important leader.

I get to try my had at weaving that will be used in future exhibits

6 sided plates unique to Ft. Walton

Tim on top of the Ft. Walton Temple Mound

We were able to have one more dinner with Gin & Lee and were treated to a spectacular sunset along with a wonderful meal.

Sunset over the Bayou

We decided to have one final breakfast on the beach, and it was wonderful!

Breakfast on the Beach

Waiting for some of our breakfast

Having fun on the beach

We enjoyed this one last day on the Emerald Coast before heading for home.

New Orleans

We were excited to be in New Orleans not only for the chance to see NOLA again but because the girls were joining us here - it's been a long time and we couldn't wait to see them!

Just in time for their visit, NOLA was having a Blues & BBQ festival so we had to check it out.  Both the music and food were great and we left with some great new music.

At the Blues & BBQ Festival

In the afternoon, we decided to ride out to Jean Lafitte National Park on the Barataria Preserve.  The scenery was beautiful but the mosquitos were HUGE!  Our planned walk on the Bayou Couquille Trail was cut short due to their swarms...

Before the mosquitos chased us off

Vicki on the trail

After a day of sightseeing, dinner on Bourbon Street was in order.  Since the girls had never been to NOLA, Bourbon Street was quite an experience!

Taking in the sights of Bourbon  Street

Do you think this was made for us?

What evening in NOLA would be complete without 

coffee & beignets at Cafe Du Monde?

Our start for the next day was at the French Quarter site for Jean Lafitte National Park.

Taking a break

The French Market was next on the list of things to do

Vicki & Suzanne were ready to chow down at the Gumbo Shop

After lunch, a stroll along the Mississippi was in order.

Barge on the river

Mississippi River Bridge

Suzanne photographing the Mississippi

After a long day of sightseeing, the spa felt great!

The next morning it was up early and another trip to Cafe du Monde to fortify us for a walking tour of the French Quarter.  Unfortunately, the ranger was sick and the tour was cancelled so we went to Plan B - the Old New Orleans Rum Distillery for a Rum tasting....Not a bad second choice!

Wonderful tastes await us!

Our sampling

My personal favorite was the Cajun Spice Run - Outstanding!

2 happy tasters

Next on the agenda was a Cemetery Tour of St. Louis Cemetery 1, the oldest cemetery in New Orleans. Our tour departed from Rev. Zombie's Voodoo Shop - appropriate don't you think!

Rev. Zombie's Voodoo Shop

Just hanging out waiting for the tour to start

St. Louis Cemetery 1 from the edge of the French Quarter. 

Creepy to say but our campsite was across the street!

Our tour begins!

Suzanne & Vicki make a wish at Marie Laveau's tomb.

Marie Laveau was known as the "Voodoo Queen", and

legend has it that if you mark 3 X's on her tomb &

 knock 3 times she will grant your wish.

This tomb is the future resting place of Nicolas Cage

In the film Easy Rider, Peter Fonda did a scene on the lap of this

statue while tripped out on acid.  After the movie was screened, the

Catholic Archdiocese was furious and has since refused to allow

 any films to be made here.

A row of Crypts

Tombs were designed to house many generations of a family in a single tomb.

After a burial, the vault was closed but could be reopened after 1 year and 1 day

for another family burial.  The coffin would be removed & burned and the

remains were pushed to the back or placed underneath to make room for the

new occupant.  If a there were no more descendants or if the family no longer

wanted to have the tomb reused, they would request it be marked "Closed Forever".

We rounded out the day with a drink at Pat O'Briens and then a final visit to Cafe du Monde.

Vicki enjoys a Hurricane at Pat O'Briens

The remnants of Suzanne's Beignets

Unfortunately, our time with Suzanne & Vicki was coming to a close and it was time for them to return to Florida and the real world.  Reluctantly, we took them to the airport for their return flight.

Final goodbyes

One of the things we wanted to make sure we did was go to Preservation Hall to listen to the music that made New Orleans famous.  Our last evening, we made it and had the opportunity to listen to some great music.

View of Preservation Hall from the street

Preservation Hall Band

Our final day in New Orleans had arrived all too soon.  And, to make the departure even worse, it decided to rain. It's definitely no fun breaking camp in the rain but we managed and, of course, by the time we were ready to pull out the rain had stopped!

Tim cranking up the stabilizers in the rain

Our final stop would be in Destin, FL and visit with the Hess House.