On the Road to Alaska

On the Road to Alaska
Denali from the Air

Monday, April 5, 2010

February~March ~April

  Good friends, lots of eating, bluegrass music, crafts and more. We had a super time and we were very busy. We stayed at the Escapee’s Rainbow Plantation in Summerdale Alabama until March 20, 2010. We heard bluegrass music at the Plantation, at Wales West Campground, at The Biscuit King and at the Gulf Shores United Methodist Church. We thoroughly enjoyed each performance. We also went to an excellent stage production in Gulf Shores called Red Hot Hollywood. This featured song and dance from the early days of movies to the present. What a great show that was. Staying at the Plantation is so much fun because we have made so many good friends that travel through the park during the winter.

   Of course we went out to eat often, enjoying the seafood that the area offers. We also made a couple of visits down to Billy’s Seafood and bought shrimp that was freshly caught. What a treat. They boil it and ice it for you right here.

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   Bryan’s son Matthew had a school project that he shared with us. We were asked to take Matthew’s shadow, Flat Matthew to a few places with us. We were asked to take a few pictures, write a short journal and send Flat Matthew back to school. What fun we had with that! After Flat Matthew had been to the train, the beach, the bayou (to see an alligator), a scooter ride, a visit with Flat Tony Stewart, a ride on the trolley, and finally to the Mississippi River bank in Natchez MS, we sent him back. We enjoyed that assignment.

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   I continued to do beading projects, I also learned to do pin prick card embroidery, and silk ribbon embroidery. I will have to keep practicing these crafts at home so that I don’t forget how to do them. It is wonderful that everyone is willing to share their talents with others. While I kept busy Phil kept us with his walking every day. He has walked at least 450 miles this winter.

   Phil and I went to the computer group on Thursday morning of each week. We have fun with this group and usually learn a lot. Toward the end of our stay I was asked to do a presentation on using Picasa. Wow! I quickly brushed up on my Picasa skills and got permission to use a handout that I had gotten at a computer workshop earlier this year. I had fun presenting this workshop to over 30 people. The fact that the Park had bought a projector this year really made the presentation easier.

   My Tennessee friends, Pat and Nancy, were vacationing in Natchez and then over toward Tallahassee Florida. We met them in Mobile Alabama. We had a great lunch and then we toured Fairhope Alabama with them. It was great to see familiar faces.

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   On March 20 we said good bye to all of our Alabama RV friends. Then traveled to the Chapter 26 Rally in Hattiesburg Mississippi. Here we spent a wonderful week with lots of music, campfires, games, crafts, and good eating. A fun time was had by all.

   Toward the end of March we headed toward Natchez Mississippi. This is the third spring that we have visited this beautiful city. We toured the antebellum homes of Melrose and Elms Court. Next we traveled up to Vicksburg and toured the museum, the battlefield and the city. This is also a lovely city and we had a good day.

IMG_1138   Finally in early April, spring seemed to be here at last! The azalea and the red bud trees have been late to blossom. We left Natchez and continued up the Natchez Trace Parkway until we reached Pat’s in Tennessee. The spring flowers and trees are beautiful and we enjoyed the Easter weekend here.

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   We were planning on staying out until early May, but I felt my home calling to me. So, we will be leaving tomorrow for home. We have had a wonderful winter, although cool. We will be taking several trips to RV rallies throughout the spring and summer, but it is time for us to be home to see family and friends there.

  I am not sure when the next entry will be. Probably after our trip down to Marion NC the end of the month to the Eastern Multi Chapter Rally. Until then, stay safe and healthy. God bless you all.