SO,HAVE YOU HEARD OF MICHELANGELO?-I MEAN MICHAEL GABBARD

Non.25th

This morning we leave for Mums-we are going to have a painting lesson!
Long ago,Mike made mention that he would love to have my Mum give him a painting lesson-today he got his wish. We arrive ready to become the next great Picasso and Picassa-Mum decides we need to go first to the Hobby Lobby for new watercolors. We pick out some paints-and new brushes,and now we are finally ready to become inspired and creative-we hope! Mum puts out everything we need and explains some basics about mixing the paints and the proper use of our beautiful new brushes. She says she had planned a proper lesson-(like we know what that means) but instead we get to play with colors and just have fun experimenting with the paints. Mike was doing just fine-he was creating a mountain scene-me, I was just putting pretty colors on the paper-really not making anything at all. I soon got Mum to put her talent on my paper and pretty soon I was seeing a picture-I had done far to much damage to the paper already to see a wonderful picture-but Mum really helped me see the different techniques she uses to make the colors come alive-and become what one would like to see on paper. My Mum-for anyone who doesn't already know-is one fabulous talented lady. I have always been her biggest fan-even if she does not think so. Mum can take any medium and create something beautiful-be it paint or just crayons or colored markers-it is amazing what she does. I grew up with an easel usually up and a painting in progress. Painting just comes naturally to my Mum-and her message this day was that anyone can paint and create something beautiful-Mike and I had fun-and we will keep playing and trying and experimenting-who knows-someday I may be married to the next great discovery in the art world!!! Michelangelo look out!

SLEEPOVER NUMBER TWO!

Nov. 22nd

My adorable Brother,Don came with Mum for a visit to our camp today. We had a good little visit, then Don had to go back home-and we got to keep Mum for sleepover number two! We put on some music-and Mike played the guitar. Mum had written a song a ways back about "driving down from Mulaje"( I most likely didn't spell that right-so Mum you can correct me and I can edit this!) Mike wants to put some music to the song-and Mum says she will try and find the words to her song. I made stir fry cashew chicken-and it was a fun evening. Mum slept in the guest suite(or living room if you must)-and I think Ginger slept in her own bed!
the next morning we took Mum home-and off to Sam and Lonnie's we went. They live pretty close to Austin-in Roundrock. Their home is huge-tooo many bedrooms to count-but it is great-and in such a pretty area. Lonnie made a wonderful brunch for us-and yes, real men really do eat quiche! I got a major kitty fix with all the beautiful kitties-and two cute and friendly doggies too! After brunch we took a nice walk in the neighborhood-the developers have made it so nice with walkways,fountains and just a lot of nice open land to run or whatever-we had a really nice visit and just caught up on all of the news for two many years to know!

SAN ANTONIO MEMORIES

Here are some more pics of the beautiful San Antonio!
Mum and Mike on our "river taxi".
The church at the Alamo
Mum and Mike and me in front of the church at the Alamo

SAN ANTONIO TEXAS

Nov. 18th

We left Austin this morning-after picking up "Mum", and headed for San Antonio.
We are staying overnight-and Ginger will have a new experience-staying in a hotel!
San Antonio is about an hour and one half away-and we get to drive thru the city of Austin,it is larger than I had imagined-and there are some very interesting architecture-must remember to ask Don what a couple of the building are!
We arrive in San Antonio,get to the hotel-first issue is our big truck could possibly fit thru the parking garage entrance-but-thankfully-the agent inside told us we would never be able to exit without denting our fenders-not good! we decide to unload and Mike will go a couple of block away to park. Problem number two-we have left home without a leash for Ginger-again, not good. Mike(alias McGuyver) fashions a leash out of a tie down strap he has in the bed of the truck-it works fine-and even matches her collar-that Mike!
We get checked in-problem number three- What I was told was going to be a two bedroom suite-was really a one bedroom with a living room with a fold out sofa bed.
Mum was a good sport-a really good sport-and we all managed to work it out-we had a fun sleepover. Ginger got the living room-and the rest of us shared the two queen beds in the bedroom. I personally thought it was fun-and I know Mike did too-and Mum, it was fun to wake up with you in the room-and I did not know then-but that was to be the first of our three sleepovers with Mum in Texas.

We were anxious to get busy checking out the sights-and Ginger was anxious for something else-so I took her down in the elevator and found a place along the famed river walk to take care of business. It was a little strange-but she is a little trouper! After that was taken care of-we all-no not Ginger- went downstairs to check out the river walk. The hotel was located right on the river-so cool!
I had read about a restaurant-Boudros, they a famous for great appetizers and prickly pear margaritas-we walked a little way down river-finally found them. We got a seat right on the river-it was so pretty and relaxing there!
We ordered a few appetizers to share-and Mike and I ordered the famed margaritas. They are famous for a reason-absolutely delicious! the food was very fresh and unique-and the guacamole was prepared fresh right at our table. Mum even got a lesson on the correct was to choose an avocado to assure it will not be brown inside when you get it home! anyone needs to know this-give Mum or me a call!
We had a good time just taking in the river and the diners and shoppers and the mariachis playing on the other side of the river. This is a special place!
after our lunch-we walked back to the hotel-Ginger was being so good-but we figured she was maybe a little confused about the hotel thing. We walked her again-the elevator ride with her was fun-she so did not understand any of it! I think she liked the river walk,though!
We got dressed and ready to figure out where we would do dinner. The hotel offered complementary cocktails and snack in the evening-so we went down to check it out. Everything was nice, and we enjoyed our drinks and listened to the music in the lounge area. Mike asked one of the hotel staff where she liked to do dinner-and we headed down the street a little way to an interesting Mexican restaurant. It was off the beaten path-so we would not have found it on our own. Inside, it was very contemporary and looked like fun. The menu proved it right-really innovative,fun sounding food. We ordered drinks and our dinner-everything was really good!!
After dinner-Mum decided she would go back to "our room" and Mike and I went out again in search of some music. We landed at a great little club-listened to some really good and casual jazz. The river walk was quite busy-and it is just a fun atmosphere there at night. Soon the Christmas lights will be everywhere-we did not get to see that this time! I think we all had had a good day-tomorrow-the Alamo!

Nov.19th

Today we will visit the Alamo-Mike is really looking forward to seeing it-I am too-but am looking forward to another history lesson about the whole Alamo thing-history was not my favorite subject in school-and unlike Mike-I am not sure what the Alamo really was all about-sorry.
We go downstairs for breakfast-another complementary offering at the hotel. It was really nice-good food and nicely presented. We go back upstairs to collect our things-and Ginger-and we are on our way.
The Alamo is close-by and because it is a week day-not crowded. There is a class-field trip in progress-so we fall in behind them-and I get my lesson on the importance of the Alamo. The grounds are beautifully maintained-there are remnants of some buildings-and some are surprisingly in great condition. We go into the church last-it is here that I understand all that went on here-and all that was sacrificed here. I got goosebumps and a sense of awe in this place-it was something I can't explain fully-I think one just has to experience it for themselves. I am so glad we got to visit the Alamo-and I for one, have a better understanding and respect for this place!
We have truly had a good visit to this beautiful and unique city-Mum and I did a little window shopping at the market square-saw some pretty pottery-bought none-
we went to a huge Mexican restaurant close by-had a nice lunch-and it was time to hit the road for home.

AUSTIN TEXAS

Aug 13

We arrived in Austin today-we are at a beautiful RV Resort-the La Hacienda. It is 35 acres above beautiful Lake Travis. The resort is so clean and everyone is very friendly. There are good restaurants close by, and they have a great spa and heated pool! We will be here at least a week-then decide if we will move to another park closer to where my Brother,Don and his wife Sheila live.
Nov 14
Today we went to visit with my Mum! she is just a little ways from here-in North Austin. She has a great apt. and has it fixed up "Mum style". She took Mike and I out to lunch at a good place-and close to her home-Cheddars-we had huge margaritas-they were the size of small swimming pools-really! We had a great chance to visit,and just enjoy being around each other! We are planning a couple of days next week in San Antonio. We have not yet met up with Don and Sheila-or Mario and his wife-or Lonnie and Sam-but we have almost three weeks here-and plenty of time to play!
the wind howled all night-gave me some strange dreams-but we are still upright this morning! The sun is out-but it still really windy and chilly. Ginger had a bath and pedicure yesterday-she is a clean and happy puppy!
More soon-love to everyone!

NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!

Nov.12th

We left Texarkana this morning-this afternoon we are in a little town in Texas called Kosse. We thought we were just looking to find a camp for the night-but...
what we discovered,much to our amazement...Elizabeth really never left...she did not "pass on" as was thought by all of us..she is alive and well-and living in KOSSE!!
ok, now that I have your attention-I will explain!
remember the show "Sanford and Son???
remember when Fred Sanford would get all upset-he would put his hands up to his chest and proclaim- "I'm coming Elizabeth!! This is the big one, I'm coming Elizabeth!!" He was always in some kind of a "situation" when he did this. Well, as I said, Elizabeth out foxed the Foxx-we were parked across from her in Kosse-really!
so, all of you out there that wondered what really happened to her-she is fine-and she is still collecting!!!

TEXARKANA-AND RAIN-RAIN-RAIN

Nov.8th

We arrived in Texarkana-expecting to spend two nights-watch the Nascart race from Phoenix,then on to Austin-or there-abouts!!
Well, the weather had its own plan for us-so we spent 4 days instead-and it was ok fine. We got our laundry done,and I finally got to read a great book I had started-and we just hung out and enjoyed the weather. Sometimes what we plan is not really what we are supposed to be doing-so we have learned you just go with it!
Sorry, no pics of Texarkana-there were some cool buildings we had wanted to see-and then there is the post office-it has two zip codes-Arkansas and Texas-we would have mailed post cards from there-but we didn't-so they will go out from Austin instead.

CAMP AT HOT SPRINGS

Here are a few pics of "camp J J"

THE SPA EXPERIENCE

Here are just a few glimpses into the spa of yesterday!

HOT SPRINGS ARKANSAS

Nov.3
We had no idea when we set out from Memphis what a beautiful place we would find. Hot Springs Ark. We found a beautiful and peaceful camp-J&J RV Park. We were greeted by the owner,JJ on the front porch of his office- it was as if he was welcoming long lost friends back home again! We were in need of some r &r from colds we had caught in Memphis-and somehow we knew we had arrived at just the perfect place for us.
We found our "spot"-backed up to a pretty little creek and beautiful old oak trees.
The park was heaven-green slopes and pretty plantings-bright colored wood furniture and farm tools scattered around-very "country living magazine feeling"
We settled in for the night-happy to be just exactly where we were!
Nov. 4
We woke up to a nice rain shower-not heavy-just perfect. it lasted just a short time-and now we could go out and wander a bit in the park. there were trails to walk, and hills to climb-Ginger seemed to be right at home here.
for the next few days we just relaxed and took care of ourselves-and coughed a bunch at times-but all in all we were feeling much better. We took one afternoon to just sit by the water-let ginger get in the creek a bit-and enjoy the event of the sun shining again.
Nov. 7
Today we ventured into town-and took a drive through the nat. park,too. Fall had arrived with gorgeous colors here-the day was perfect to check out the historic district-and the bathhouses. At the turn of the century Hot Springs was famous for its bathhouses-and healing therapeutic hot springs. The Federal gov. has done a great job in preserving and rehabbing the buildings. There is a beautiful walking promenade-a great place to check out old and new. The town is really interesting-very cool little shops, old hotels and of course the bathhouses. We took a tour of one-it has been made into a museum-totally recreates the "bathing" experience of the old days. All of the old equipment is on display-really fun to see-and a little scary too.
Amazing how far we have come from the first "spa experience" to now!
We had breakfast at a beautiful old hotel-learned all about how Al Capone spent a lot of time there-hiding out-getting his alcohol and basking in the elegance of the hotel-he had a private suite there-and we could have taken a tour of it-the hotel keeps it just as it was when Mr Capone stayed there.
We had a great afternoon seeing really neat things-and on the way home I got to go to a huge rock shop! I think Mike thinks I am a little nutty about trees and rocks and such-but I just am what I am!
Tomorrow we leave for Texas!!

GION' TO GRACELAND,GRACELAND,GRACELAND TENNESSEE

Nov 2nd
So, today is the day-Graceland here we come. Actually-we were just going to drive by the place, and be done with it-but no, we are doing the whole tour thing.
We are camped right across the street from Graceland-we pick up the shuttle at the hotel(yes,the Heartbreak Hotel) the hotel lobby is worth looking into-it is like walking into somebodies living room in the 1950's-they have some fun furniture-and an old tv set on feet with bunny ears-and of course, Elvis runs on it 24/7.
Finally the shuttle comes-and off we go. we drive out to "the mansion" and start our tour. Personally, I was disappointed-I really was expecting way over the top tacky-and I just saw plain tacky. The jungle room was just really ugly-no jungle that I could see. I hate to be negative here-but adjusting for a bad era of decoration in the first place-Elvis could have done better. It was interesting to see-glad we did-liked seeing the whole thing-maybe seeing some beautiful mansions across the country has something to do with it-but-well we did do Graceland.
Now all I can say is-the Gabbard's have left the building.

BEALE STREET-AND THE PEABODY DUCKS

Nov1st
After our tour of Sun Studios-we were on our way to Beale Street-but first, we had one stop to make-the Peabody Hotel, to see the famous Peabody Ducks"-really!
The Peabody Hotel is a beautiful upscale hotel downtown Memphis. There is a whole history of why there are ducks-but I won't go there. Just know that twice a day-the ducks are paraded to the huge fountain in the lobby-once in the morning-then again at 5pm they are taken back upstairs via a private elevator to their "ducky penthouse" on the roof of the hotel. It is a big production with music and a "duck master" presiding over the whole thing. It is pretty silly-but hey-when in Memphis...
So, after seeing the duck ceremony-and enjoying a great martini at the beautiful hotel bar-and the hotel is really beautiful-we hurried on down to Beale st.
Beale St. is a lot like going to the french quarter in New Orleans-it has the same look and feel-and smell kind of also! We had asked our guide at the Sun Studios where she liked to listen to music, and she told us several choices-so we has some idea where to go. There was a party atmosphere in the air-and on the street-everything was lit up and buzzing. There were a group of about five young men-very fit and shirtless-they make their money in the evenings by doing continuous back-flips and handsprings down the middle of the street-it is incredible and fun to witness-they just go and go and go! how they have any skin left on their hands after all this is a mystery-they have big paint buckets for people to put tips in-and they do get the tips! after watching this for a bit-we slipped into one of the bars for a drink-the band was just setting up-so after awhile, we decided to wander on down the street. There was music going on everywhere-on the street and in the clubs. We decided it was time for dinner-and headed on over to the Rendezvous for their famous ribs. The restaurant is well known-and happens to be in an alley-behind a few dumpsters-and if one did not know where they were going-well-they might think twice about their choice for the night! anyway-we went-it was great, and the atmosphere was fun-and funky. After dinner we walked up and down the street-shopped a little in a drugstore-it had been in business for over 125 years-in the same family all that time-that is cool. I bought some tea and necco wafers! We wandered down the street at the sound of some good music coming from outside a club- it was the Blues City Cafe-and the band was awesome! The lead singer was even more so-Ms. Zeno-the queen of Beale Street-and well names she was! It was part musical show-part comedy-but it was all great! After their show was done-we went to the original club-had one last cocktail-the band was great too-and then off to catch our shuttle. Tomorrow was another big day-Graceland.

WALKING IN MEMPHIS

Oct.31st-eve
We found our RV park-just had to turn right on lonely street-off of Elvis Presley Blvd.-really! Behind the Heartbreak Hotel-really! Well,m the park was cool-we found our spot-on Hound dog lane-fortunately not on Jailhouse rock lane-and got settled in. Originally we were to be on teddy bear way-but the space was too short. We had an early supper,and an early to bed eve-tomorrow was a big day!
Nov.1st
We found out that the shuttle for the Heartbreak Hotel would take us into town-actually it was a special shuttle for Sun Studio-the famous Sun Studio! We boarded the shuttle around 3pm and away we went. The traffic in downtown Memphis is not really bad-but there are areas that tourists should stay away from-so we were glad to be with an expert. We went inside the studio building and had to wait for a little while for our tour. Pretty soon a cute gal came out and escorted us all upstairs. there were great displays of all of the recording firsts of the studio, and the first equipment used. the guide played some of the first recordings done in the studio,that combined with pictures and some costumes and musical instruments and pics gave a good picture of "recordings in the day". We then went downstairs to the actual recording studio where Elvis made his first commercial recording-and learned that an assistant was really responsible for the "discovery" of Elvis Presley. The owner of Sun did not like him originally-after several please from his assistant- he met with Elvis again, then sent him next door to a coffee shop to "come up with something good". Elvis came back-recorded "thats all right mama" and history was made!
We were down in the recording studio-which is still used today,so was full of equipment-drums,piano, guitars etc. The pics on the walls were fantastic! After our tour was over-everyone that wanted to was able to get their picture taken with the original standing microphone that was used by Elvis,Johnny Cash,and many other famous voices. We had a great time learning the history of Sun-and it is our favorite tour that we have done so far!

FOR KRIS AND KATHY

here are some orchids for you both! they were sooo pretty-and just growing in the trunks of the trees-amazing!

BYE BYE TO NASHVILLE!

Oct 31st
Happy Halloween!
ok, it is after Halloween when I am writing this-but I mean well!
Anyway, it is Halloween morning-we are on our way to Memphis-but we have one more stop to make before leaving Nashville. The Opryland Hotel-Mike has promised we will see it before we go-so it is now! We were so tired after our four hour Hermitage tour yesterday-we got up a little early this morning instead.
The Opryland Hotel is HUGE! it is a destination in itself-the grounds are beautiful, and there is a convention center attached also. You almost feel like you are entering Disneyland-after we get inside, it is evident why everyone has told us it is a "must see" when in Nashville. The gardens are spectacular! The area that is called the conservatory is the most elaborate ever! right now they are just getting everything decorated for Christmas-so there was only little spots of fall-but it will be really beautiful when it is done-and all lit up! We just did a walk thru-
gotta get to Memphis-but we got the feeling of the place. One could just go there for a week or so and never have to leave. The restaurants look great-and shopping? if you want to shop-well, this is the place. Anyway, we took some pics for you-and Kris, I took the pics of the orchids especially for you-and your Mom-they just plug in orchids in the trees everywhere-they are beautiful!!! The hotel has one big area behind the hotel that is just for horticulture-huge green houses and plants growing all over-like a huge home depot! really glad we took the time to go see this place!

MORE PICS OF THE HERMITAGE

the pics here are of the Jackson's tomb, Alfred's cabin(he was one of the slaves-stayed on to work at the plantation-actually gave some of the first tours of the Hermitage-is buried very close to the Jackson's tomb) and a very special breed of cow-from Scotland-the name eludes me-but they were so furry and cute! Melissa, the cow pics are really for you!

THE HERMITAGE

Oct,30
Our last day and night in Nashville was saved for some education,and a tour of the beautiful Hermitage. The Hermitage was the home and plantation of President Andrew Jackson. The original log house,and mansion are both on the grounds-as well as buildings that housed slaves that worked for the Jackson's. The plantation grounds consume 1,120 acres-numerous buildings and gardens as well as the burial ground of the Jackson's and one slave who actually led the first tours of the Hermitage! The mostly self guided audio tour is fascinating and really gives a great look at the lives of the Jackson's and the way the world was in their time. We spent almost four hours touring the Hermitage-there was two elementary class field trips going on at the same time-how lucky those children were to get to go to the Hermitage for their class field trip!

MORE NASHVILLE

they call the first pic the "Batman" building"-for good reason
Just a peek at the beautiful Union Station
and just one of the homes of the "stars" of the country stage-there were so many, I lost track of who they belong to!

NASHVILLE-YEE HAAA!!!!!

Oct.27
We left Kentucky this morning-said goodbye to "my" trees-hugged the rv park owner and thanked him for such a nice place to stay-and now we were on our way to Nashville!
We had made reservations at Two Rivers RV Park-Larry had reccommended it-and we were not dissapointed. It was a really nice park, and close to everything we wanted to see-and shuttles to those places that were in town. We made reservations to see a dinner show that night-and got tickets to the Grand Ole Opry for Tues. night-and a "Tommy tour" of Nashville on Wed. There were plantations to see and we knew it was to be a busy few days for us!
Monday eve-we went next dooe to the dinner show-we should have known when we saw all of the tour busses in the parking lot-but hey, we were in Nashville, and we could walk to this place. The theatre was large-and the buffet was set-and Mike and I were the youngest ones in the place-but dinner was good-the guests we sat with were as friendly as could be-the show started and,ok, it was a little hokey-pokey, but it was fun-and country and we just went with it. We did not stay for the entire show-after a day of being on the road we were done-but it was a good experience-and a fun first night in "music City".
Tuesday.
We got up and dressed and went to town. Driving in Nashville is not the easiest-but it was way better than St. Louis. We found 2nd Ave and Broadway-walked up and down the streets,had a drink at Coyote Ugly-noone dancing on the bar yet-too early. We walked in a few shops and just took in the atmosphere of being downtown Nashville. Had lunch at a great place-best fish tacos ever! Afterward we did more sightseeing,then back to camp to get ready for our big night out.
We get our shuttle to "the Opry"-it is amazing! tons of people everywhere-it is much bigger than I had expected. The "Opry" was not something that was on my tv growing up-but Mike's Mom never missed a show-this was a special place! We got our seats-took some pics and waited to be entertained. The start of the show is like watching a tv show-cause that is what it is-that and radio too, I think. They do commercials for the sponsors,then the big velvet curtains go up. The stage is huge-lots of lights and lots of musicians and instruments-looks like a great show is going to happen! We saw young musicians, old musicians-some we had heard of some not-but it was really fun! It was like being part of something special and just too cool. I don't think it would have mattered if we liked country music or not-it was just fun.
Wed.
today we took a tour of Nashville-with "Tommy". he is a fixture in Nashville-I remember seeing him on tv at some point- he is just funny as heck, and HE KNOWS NASHVILLE! We went downtown,uptown,and saw lots of beautiful homes owned by big country stars. He told us little known trivia-made the tour fun and personal. I think my favorite place we went was to Union Station. Wow! This is the most beautiful building-oh, and Tommy got us coctails in coffee cups-but the building is fantastic. the whole roof is beautiful stained glass-the carved moldings-the history here-just great. There is a beautiful restaurant and bar-and just going to the ladies room was a destination! I highly recommend checking this out if you are in the area! It was a fun and interesting day-and at the end of the tour we really felt like we had seen Nashville-by day. Now we were ready to see the nightlife of "music city".
Tommy hooked us up with a guy that would take us in to town where we would want to be
to listen to some great music. We had plans for a certain restaurant-well that went out the window fast! We went to Robert's-heard there was a young musician there that was pretty good-and he was. Mike started talking to some guy that was getting signatures for a petition to get Hank Williams reinstated to the "Opry". He has been tossed out due to his wicked ways! Well, the guy tells Mike that HankIII is going to be doing a concert next door in a little while-and so,off we went. The place was Layla's Bluegrass Inn-we found a table in the back, and ordered a drink. Now for those of you out there that don't know-HankIII is the grandson of Hank Williams-and Kenny is just about his biggest fan around. Kenny play a lot of his music-and quite well I will add. So, pretty soon, we notice that guys are taking away everyones tables and bar stools-and we are the only ones left with a table. That did not last for long-they took our table waway too. They said it would be room for standing only-that Hank was playing-and it would be VERY crowed in there soon. Well, we just stood for a few minutes, then the guy that Mike had been talking to next door came up. He and Mike talked for a minute-then we were invited to come sit up front by the band area-at the ONLY table left in the place. He told us we were welcome to sit there-introduced us to the club bouncer-and said that Hank's Mom would be sitting at our table also, if that was ok. We just could not believe what was happening-too fun!
Hanks Mom came and sat next to Mike-we introduced ourselves-she was just as nice as could be-we talked a little-then the band-with HANKIII started-it was great! a little profanity now and then-well, ok, lots of it-and hanks Mom winced a few times-but it was just a cool evening-and no I did not have the camera-so you all just have to imagine the scene. When the band started getting into the real roudy hard stuff-we decided it was time to end a perfect evening. We did end up going up to the restaurant-but it had closed-so went across from the crazy horse saloon and had cheeseburgers instead-it was a perfect night!!

MORE PICS FROM ETOWN

we have so many great memories of our visit to ETown-here are a few more pics we wanted to share with ya'll!! My Aunt Jan in her "Jubilee",me and my favorite tree-and my cousin Larry and "witch-e-poo"

ELIZABETHTOWN-NOT THE MOVIE

After way too long, I have a great computer connection and can get you all updated on "the journey"-it has been a busy time and there is much to write-so sit down and get comfy!!
October 20

We finally arrive in Elizabethtown,Kentucky-we have spent many days just waiting for this day! The hwy is beautiful-fall is just everywhere and we are anxious to find our camp(home) for the next week. When we first get to town, the "house and our limo(truck) get a much needed bath. We have brought bugs from a number of states, it is time for them to go!
My aunt Jan invited us for dinner this evening-we can't wait to see her and get a big hug. We get ourselves all set up at Crossroads Park in Etown, it is so pretty-our yard is full of the most beautiful trees-I am happy! Ginger and I will have leaves to crunch for days!
We head over to Aunt Jan's home-it is beautiful and the neighborhood is like being in a park-My cousins Larry and Vicki come for drinks and we have a great visit-it has been since our wedding that we have all been together. Dinner is wonderful, and it is so good to just visit with my Aunt, and hear stories that I have not heard before1
We stay up way later than our usual bedtime-it was just a great evening!
The next day, Larry comes by on his motorcycle for a visit to "camp". Later in the afternoon we are treated to a very personal tour of the Schmidt Coca Cola Museum. It is beautiful, and we learn so much and get to see real treasures that my Aunt and Uncle Bill took a lifetime to collect-every piece in the museum has a story, and it was a very special tour!
We left the museum and went back to my Aunts house for dinner-I got the thrill of riding back with my Aunt in her beautiful little silver porche-only problem was Mike was following us in the truck-so she had to behave herself and not go as fast as we would have liked! The car is named Jubilee-a celebration of my Aunts 80th birthday-and I have to say, she looks pretty cute in it!
We are treated to another delicious dinner-then back to camp for us.
Oct.22
Today is Vicki's birthday, and we all gather at my Aunts house for a special evening.
I won't say all that we had for dinner, but Mike wants all of the recipes-so I have some Southern cooking lessons to learn! Dessert was chocolate creme brulee-fantastic!
We had wine in the beautiful Queen Marie stemware-lovely antique ruby crystal that I just have always admired! We had a great evening-and felt pretty special!!
Oct.23
We are having everyone for dinner at our "house" tonight! It is a beautiful day-and the forecast does not call for rain-Mike and Graham make a beautiful campfire-it is a fun evening-we are so glad to have everyone at camp! The rain does start around midnight-and it rains most of the next day-it is really wonderful to just be home and cozy for the day.
We take the next two days to sight see-
We check out downtown Elizabethtown, the museum and a wonderful old inn where General Custer actually lived with his wife for a time. The town is darling-so much history! We did not get to do the bourbon trail-but did check out Bardstown-the hwy there is so pretty-walls of limestone(the reason for the great bourbon)-the limestone that get in the water- and the fall colors-it is just a beautiful ride.
Oct 26
Today was very special1 Mike got to stay home and do some mechanic stuff on the truck-I got to spend the day with Vicki. We drove to Louisville and did a little shopping-and a lot of visiting and laughing! Vicki is the most fun-and I respect the fact that she packs a water pistol-so am on my best behavior-well not really!
We end the day with everyone gathering at larry and Vicki's for a wonderful dinner-and love and kisses from Mo and Curly-the most beautiful dogs ever! Yes, you have it right-Vicki needed Curly and Mo-she already had a Larry! It was a fun evening and I am sad we will be leaving Etown in the morning.We learned the true meaning of Southern hospitality-and it is good!!