I have never blogged before in "real time". Tonight is the exception. This is one of the last nights on the road for this winter trip of 2015-2016. I am feeling so nostalgic. How is our 4 month trip so close to being over? Is is possible?
We left home from Ohio on Dec. 9th, 2015 wondering if we could be happy on the road 4 months? Here it is April 10, 2016 heading full tilt north, back to Ohio. We share the sentiment of our friends on the road. Once you are 3 days from home, all you want is to be at home. We are feeling that this evening. Also we are feeling the joy of our adventure.
We have covered great distance, a stop at Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia and Christmas week on Amelia Island, Ga. Christmas Eve with our dear friends, Sue and Don, and Christmas holidays at their house watching Cairo, Eze's cousin.
We traveled over to visit my dear Aunt Carol and Jim and moved on west to the Emerald Coast (panhandle of Florida). We traveled a similar route last year, this year adding a few new parks and springs to our itinerary. I enjoyed a visit with a high school friend in Santa Rosa Beach.
This year was "Dauphin Island Birding" winter. We booked 60 days and awaited the birds to start Spring migration. Listed 126 species. In the mean time we walked the beach, biked many miles and waited for Jason and family to join us on Dauphin.
We had such a wonderful time with the "kids". There was crabbing and beaching afternoons and great food and fun. There was a "LIFER" found by Jason, the Clapper Rail. Kayaks were launched and seafood eaten. I spent as much time as would allow with my beautiful grand daughters. As always, the time went by too quickly.
We made new and interesting friends, some I hope forever friends. We parted the Island, over the bridge, heading for New Orleans. Hopefully we will return someday.
A New Orleans adventure, a Natchez, Miss. history lesson and a north heading on the Natchez Trace. A history lesson every few miles. Ancient Americans, 200years AD, mound builders walked the Trace. American Indians, the Choctaw and Natchez and the Chickasaw Indians followed. "Kaintucks" from W.Va and Ohio and Pa. walked back home on the Trace after floating down the Mississippi River to sell goods. Only took them a month! Confederate soldiers are buried along the Trace. So much American History. The sad "Trail of Tears" story comes alive along the Trace.
Tonight we are parked up on a hill in Davy Crockett State Park. Pretty much by ourselves, only a few other travelers. A rainy afternoon to finish up the Trace, we have had a nice dinner with a good red and are playing "Southern Traditional" music, a collection of old-time southern favorites performed on mandolin, banjo, guitar, and fiddle.
I chose the music at the store of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, one of 400 parks in the National Park System, celebrating 100 years this year. That is a very good thing. Our National Parks are such a gift to every American.
So, our trip is ending, should be home in a few days. Feeling sad, must be the music and/or the wine. That is what happens when you blog in real time.
Be Well,
Diana
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