US – HurricaneMaine

Mississippi – Tupelo

I drove to Tupelo to be able to start the Natchez Trace the next morning. I bought some non refrigerated food and snacks as there is not much in the way. Then I found out that this is the birthplace of Elvis! I stopped to take a picture of the hardware store his mother worked at and where she bought him his first guitar.

The town square has a statue of Elvis and there are guitar signs all over.

One of Elvis’s favorite places to eat is Johnnie’s. His favorite was the Doughburger. In the 30’s they had to ration meat and they added flour and spices in order to stretch the meat to feed the family. Delicious and cheap. A cheeseburger and coleslaw was 4.89.

His birthplace is close by. Of course it was closed but, that happens.

At the diner I asked about the murals that are supposed to be somewhere in town and they suggested I park on the main street and walk as the. Murals are on the sides of building off of the main street. A good way to stretch my legs.

And the one thing I learned about travel so far in Mississippi is that the people her are the nicest! I spent the night in Cracker Barrel parking lot and the next more ing had one of their amazing breakfasts before setting out.

Gulf shores

Welcome to RV life. A cracked windshield but an awesome insurance company that sets up the appointment. Lots of options in Alabama and Florida. Fixed quickly.

I was headed to Big Lagoon State Park in Florida when I heard from Patty Grayson and was going to be close to her. I decided to drive a little further and meet her for lunch. We walked Navarre beach and chatted a bunch. It was good to talk to her.

Big Lagoon State Park

I stopped in Mobile to try to find the azalea trail but construction made the parking difficult and I decided to just head to Tupelo to be able to start the Natchez Trace Parkway. I did get some pictures of azaleas in bloom.

Alabama

First stop is Montgomery and Selma. I was interested in civil rights and voting rights. I toured the Alabama courthouse.

I also visited Old Alabama Town. Nice original types of houses.

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice was amazing and humbling. They hung metal pieces with names of people who had been lynched in counties throughout the nation. Visually effective and somber.

Charles Freeman House.

I also walked the Edmund Pettus bridge. That was very emotional as well in following the footsteps of those for voting and equal rights.

I spent three nights at the Historic Blakeley State Park. Peaceful, wonderful, lots of hiking, and met some new friends!

I drove through Magnolia Springs. Pretty little town.

I also hiked through the dune trails of Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge.

I also saw a blood r d moon!

Back in the US of A

I really was not sure of what I wanted to do after the Europe vacation. I was missing community, missing family, and feeling guilty. As I had a dog sitting commitment and my daughter’s graduation. I decided this might be the time to try driving across states I have not been to. I had been following can life and minivan camping and decided that a Toyota Sienna minivan was the way to start.

I landed in Pittsburgh and literally the next day bought a 22 hybrid. I love it. It does not have all of the bells and whistles which is fine with me. I loved how it drives and was happy to have it. I got it ready in a week and drove to the pet sitting after a huge snowstorm. I spent the first night sleeping in it when it was 14 degrees out. A heated blanket, a battery pack, and lots of blankets was helpful.

During the pet sit I outfitted it with more things , window covers, portable toilet, etc. I also planned out where things will be stored. I also enjoyed the cuddly pup. Pippa was so much fun and loveable.

It was wonderful to spend weeks in Peachtree, Georgia. I always love seeing Candy and David and their new family member Pippa made it especially enjoyable.

Let another adventure begin.

Back in the US

At 8 weeks post total knee replacement, the first part of the summer was just chilling with Ken and Sunni, physical therapy and daily knee exercises. Of course seeing Nina and all the cute kitties made the days go by quickly as well as lunches with friends and spending some time with my brother and sister-in-law.

In August I flew to Montana to see Becca and her husband Ryan. We went to wild horse Island by boat to walk around. Very peaceful and a beautiful day.

We also went to see the Fair one evening. It was fun to see the dirt bike riders and also see all the animals exhibited at the fair.

I explored Fort Missoula to look at the historic buildings. The fort was used for internment of Japanese and Italians during World War I.

We also traveled to see Gus, a 1000 year old tree. Pretty cool to be able to walk around it and compare to the other trees.

But the best part was just spending time with Becca.

Family

I usually only come home once a year and then spend time traveling between family members. Here in PA there were some hikes, bike rides, and fun runs (walks for me).

Most of the time it is Sunni and I trying to stay out of trouble…

Stop at Brady’s bend after lunch with Mom

I spent one day with my friend Michele Belak which started with a morning race and ended with an evening race on the trails here in PA. In between we drove back and forth and stopped to see her horse. It was good to catch up with her. In the past, we used to meet at several races over the summer. It was great to catch up with her and hear about the people we worked with at Citizens Ambulance when we were in college.

One night Ryan and I rode bikes in an event called critical mass. Over 100 people participated in a 24 mile ride through the streets of Pittsburgh. The point is to take back the roads from cars and bring awareness that bikes have rights also. Here we are headed to the start of the ride.

Ryan and I also hiked some trails near Kittanning. They are small trails but very quiet and peaceful.

Afterwards we biked through the city of Pittsburgh from the north side to the south side along the trails and the rivers.

Another road trip was to take my dad’s ashes to Buffalo and Erie. We visited the graves of my grandparents and stopped to see Duann, a friend from childhood.

An event in Pittsburgh called picklesburgh also took place. Fun having some pickle egg rolls, pickle fudge, and other things.

And of course I played with everyone’s cats. This is the baby of Sunni’s and is a Maine coon.

Some random pictures from Western Pennsylvania.

Nashville

The ~~Thelma~~ Sunni and Louise road trip this year was to Nashville. We stopped in Glasgow, Kentucky to see relatives of Sunni and then headed to Nashville the next morning.

The first stop was at Cooters Nashville. It is a museum to the Dukes of Hazzard, a TV series from the 1970’s. Fun! The General Lee was parked out front.

Our hotel was close to Broadway where all the honky tonks are found.

One of the favorite places for sunni to eat was Margaritaville.

One of our favorites was the John Bon Jovi bar where there was a constant stream of amateur musicians playing.

The Johnny Cash museum was really good. My family listened to his music when I was growing up. So many memories and it even included remembrances of all the people he toured with and were part of his production team. Even June Carter’s family was honored.

Fried deviled eggs were on the menu at his bar next door. Delicious and the music from the musicians was amazing.

Of course we had to stop at Coyote Ugly. The bar famous for the movie.

The night pontoon boat ride was really fun. Lots of games and people to talk to.

The chew crew are sheep who mow down the edges of the river Bank

Other pictures from around Nashville.

The Bluff Station was a lookout when the river was used for trade.

One morning I went to the Tennessee State House. It is beautiful inside.

It was a great road trip!

Montana

It has been a year since I saw Becca and her husband Ryan. I had gone through some of my things that have been packed for years and had asked her which things she as they just bought a house. I came to Montana laden with bags.

That night after unpacking we hiked a hill that had the letter M on it for the University of Montana (it overlooks the University). We hiked to the bottom of the M to see the sunset.

The next day, we went to a trail that overlooked the bitter roots. These are plants that grow in a valley between those mountains. These are roots that were used by indigenous peoples and still used today in food and medicine. It is also the state flower of Montana.

A few friends thought we brought snacks for them.

Afterwards we stopped at a Bitterroot brewing to have huckleberry beer. Yummy as well as the food we ordered.

We also rented a bike to go bike riding. Unfortunately I am not over the fear of wrecking and being injured and prefer trails that do not have gravel. Instead we found a paved area that leads to a beach along the river. Beautiful and relaxing.

We also drove through the bison preserve that is a protected area and had amazing information about the indigenous people and the almost extinction of the bison.

We had not traveled very far into the refuge when this big boy was seen walking down the road. We let him have as much of the road as he wanted.

This actually is a grizzly bear cub at the top of a tree. Can you see him?

Beautiful wildflowers and a black butterfly.

The garden of 1000 buddhas

On the way back from the bison range, we stopped in Arlee. This spiritual site was beautiful. There are one thousand statues of Buddha arranged in a circle. There are spaces and carved sayings on rocks to inspire for meditation, reflection, and peace.

Prayer flags releasing intentions
into the wind

It was a really short visit and next year there will be more days in Montana. I miss my family and will be spending more time each year with her

“As seen in Yellowstone…”

The voice interrupted my concentration in taking a picture of the Missoula courthouse from across the street. I was trying to take it without passing cars in the picture and was too lazy to cross the street.

In his defense, I guess many people are coming to Montana because of the popular TV series. I have actually watched Yellowstone but didn’t think it would have been shot in Missoula. Afterwards, I found that it is the courthouse they used. Interesting. I just like architecture and take pictures of cool buildings I see in my travels.

An old railway station found along the river trail.

It was a quick trip as Rebecca and my now son-in-law Ryan are selling into new jobs but have not moved into their new apartment yet. I am also fitting this trip between my own scheduled life. Mostly we spent time together and toured Missoula which is such a cool small city. It really is beautiful.

Kayaking on Flathead Lake was beautiful and gave me the opportunity to chill and practice taking pictures with my new phone.

Becca’s cat would spend time between our 2 kayaks.

Becca and I also went on a road trip along route 12 which is the Lewis and Clark trail. So beautiful.

On one of the rest stops they had a trail that went to one of the sites where Lewis and Clark stopped on their travel West.

The ground squirrels were so fun to watch.

On future longer trips, I can’t wait to go to Glacier National Park and Yellowstone. Montana is very beautiful. I had a great time with Becca and Ryan before I go to Ecuador in August.

Low key summer… so far….

I was home at the beginning of 2022 but it had been a crazy time in China since. A lot of time with family and not many pictures…. Just absorbing the time with them!

Becca, Ryan (soon to be son), and my boy Ryan

I settled into spending time with family and just relaxing a bit. Hard to believe that it had been 40 years since I graduated high school. The reunion was great and such a good attendance!

I stopped to look at my old house and talk with teachers I worked with in Punxsutawney. So good to see them!

Small Town living in Worthington means parades and carnivals….

Christmas in July movies with my SIL (and sushi)…

Movies…

I visited Candy and David in Atlanta. Always good to talk about lots of stuff with them and see how retirement is treating them!

Love how they are in the ‘burbs but deer are just happy to roam and eat flowers!

Covered bridge in Georgia built by a former slave.

Most of time was didn’t taking care of banking, retirement, and everything else. Not too informative but memories of being with my loved ones I’ll remember. And on to Montana.