Monday it was time to end
our whirlwind 4th of July and Birthday trip by heading home from
Florida. Departing from Kathis' around 10 AM hoping to get
past Atlanta the first night. Encountering a couple of rain storms
on the way slowed us to the point that we made it only as far as
Forsyth, GA. We stopped at a motel complex which included a
Holiday Inn which among other things shared the pool with the nearby
Ramada Inn. We found out that the reason for this arrangement
was the fact that both motels were in fact owned by the same person.
Later it would be learned that the same person owned for properties
including the BP station where we would gas the car Tuesday morning
after partaking of the Holiday's complimentary breakfast.
|
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in
thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving
creates love.
~ Lao Tzu |
We did not
get quite as far as we had hoped but a slightly earlier start
pointed toward better results on Tuesday. The trip around
Atlanta turned out to be one of the easiest we ever made maybe
because Kathi was driving. Around lunchtime we began seeing signs
for Rock City and Lookout Mountain and it was decided that having
driven past numerous times over the years, this time we would stop
and investigate. Investigation seemed to point toward mobility
issues with steps and uneven surfaces. While the others (Kathi,
B (Mary) and Dirk examined Rock City I enjoyed some fresh
mountain air. The Rock City visit amounted to only one hours time
and the total detour only about 90 minutes. Soon we were on
our way toward Nashville, again due to driver fatigue we stopped
short of the goal of Nashville near a little town called Eddysville,
TN. The local Hampton Inn had no space so we ended up across a
parking lot at a Days Inn. How spoiled we had become staying
at Hamptons and Holidays with their classy bedding, plush towels and
tasty breakfasts. Needless to say we hurried out of there on
what hoped would be our last day on the road. Again,
there was a short detour at Metropolis, IL. You might remember
that in the comics Supermans home town was Metropolis and
Metropolis, IL plays right to that fact with an 18 foot statue in
the town square and opportunities to separate the tourist from their
dollars. It was screaming hot and the courthouse employees looked
even more uncomfortable outside in their dark business suits.
At about 11:30 AM we headed home. We were hoping to be home by
dusk. However we obviously were closer thaan we thought and
the weather held up so we were able to roll into the driveway around
6PM.
With the stops and detours we were still able to make the trip in
three days. Kathi and Dirk will be staying for a short time and will
be joined by David later next week.
|
Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of
containing God's gift of Himself.
~ Mother Teresa |
Friday I
went up for Legion coffee while Mary went to a doctors appointment.
Upon arriving home she changed clothes and picked me up at the Vet
Center. We were going to Abraham Lincoln cemetery to place
flowers at the grave of Mike's wife Joyce but actually decided to
wait. Kathi and Mary took Dirk and went to Brookfield Zoo.
I went to the Village Center to get an Illinois Secretary of State
form to apply for a replacement Certificate of Title for the
Windstar which is in Florida. We plan to either give it to one of
Dave's employees or donate it to the Salvation Army. In either
cse we need to transfer title and of course we can't find it.
The heat is so intense and unusual that you don't feel
like doing anything although I did manage (Sat) to get over and get
a haircut.Earlier in the day Mary and Kathi took the Sante fe to NTB to get a
bad tire checked. Turns out there was a nail in the tire.
A patch was applied and the tire will be watched.
Dirk has been able to talk to his Dad through the magic of Skype and the
Internet which eases the separation somewhat. However, Dirk
still would be pleased if Dad showed up earlier.
Earlier this afternoon the CUBS as only they can once again
snatched defeat from the jaws of Victory giving up 4 runs in the top
of the 9th to lose 4-1.
