My trip north was much too short, but I had a wonderful time with family! I didn't open my computer while I was away, so I have a lot of catching up to do. That includes getting photos posted here, so bear with me as I move us through the last few days of August!!
Last Wednesday, I drove up to my son and daughter-in-law's home in Georgia. It's a 4 to 5 hour drive, but the traffic was minimal and I made good time. Darlene had a very long 12-hour day at the horse sanctuary - New Paths Horse Sanctuary (NPHS). They lost some volunteers and a couple of employees due to school starting, making them short-staffed. My son, Joe, worked a full day at his job. He brought home pizza for our dinner, making it easy on everyone! We all went to bed around 9:00 because Joey and I were hitting the road for Ohio at 5:00 a.m.
We started the day with a beautiful sunrise!
The weather was perfect!
Crossing the Ohio River!
We arrived at my sister-in-law's home in Pickerington, Ohio (near Columbus). Jo Anne had homemade soup on the stove and sandwich makings. We arrived right at 6:00, and the yummy soup was perfect after 11 hours on the road. My son, Joey, is a trooper! He drove us straight through. We did stop for take-out breakfast and an early lunch later, but we didn't dally...
On Friday, my sister and brother-in-law arrived!! We all went to a beautiful park near my niece's home. My great-nephew, Ezra, was still napping, so we spent some time exploring the Inniswood Metro Gardens. The weather was even a bit cool for this Florida girl. I wore my sweater! LOL
Son Joe, me, sister Patti, bro-in-law Greg, and sis-in-law Jo Anne
The main reason for the trip was to deliver my mom's Lane Cedar Chest to my niece, Sara. It was time to pass this treasure along on its next stop through the family tree. The chest was my mom's high school graduation gift from her parents in 1948. Some of you may remember that I asked blogging friend Pamela's son, Benton, to freshen it up for me, which he did beautifully. Sara and her hubby are expecting son #2 in November, and we are very excited for them!!
We had a lovely salad to go with pizza for our dinner with everyone, and my 3-year-old great-nephew, Ezra, entertained us after dinner by giving us all a musical instrument (plastic shakers) to accompany him on the footstool drum. We sang and squealed to whatever song he requested be played on Spotify (classic rock!!). It was a lot of fun, and he had a blast. I do have photos, but we aren't allowed to post photos of him on social media. Just trust me that he is adorable (of course!)!!
On Saturday, we drove over to my old hometown, Millersport, to attend the Sweet Corn Festival!! The Lions Club hosts it, and many organizations have fund-raising booths there, selling yumminess!! Of course, sweet corn is the main draw and was our first stop!
I was a bit tickled to see very Southern Fried Green Tomatoes offered.
I didn't try them.
When I was in high school (dark ages!), the Juniors sold candy apples, and the seniors sold steak sandwiches. It was our main fundraiser for our senior class trip. My folks and I worked enough to pay for my trip. Bless all parents for the support we got from them. I did get a steak sandwich and was disappointed. The class of 1970 did it better!! :)
This booth was for the Millersport Music Boosters. Weldon's Ice Cream was featured, and if you can read the white sign on the left, you will see Sweet Corn ice cream, and we were told you had to put salt on it. We didn't try it, because we were going to Weldon's afterwards for some ice cream.
Yes, we bought a dozen donuts! I forgot which organization was making them, but we all tried one and took the extras home. Greg was off in search of a fish sandwich, so I didn't get a photo of him here...
We left the festival grounds and headed to Weldon's. Long-time readers will remember that I worked there two summers during high school. The Pecan Ball was always my favorite, so that's what I ordered. Vanilla ice cream rolled in chopped pecans, covered in hot fudge, with whipped cream and a cherry (oops... ate it already!).
I put lots of my tips in that juke box! Notice the ad for the Factory Special. It is six dips of ice cream, any flavor one might like. When I worked there, it was 60 cents (10 cents a dip). Now it is $9.50!!
Happy ice cream eaters, on the porch...
Weldon's is across the street from the Millersport Marina. That is Buckeye Lake...
We drove over to the cemetery so I could visit the graves of my parents, my grandparents, and my brother...
I did pull the weeds and put the solar light back upright...
We didn't have anything to clean the stones, but I was happy for the quick visit.
This is the house I grew up in. It is right around the corner from the cemetery.
Joey and I hit the road back to Georgia at 4:45 a.m. We told everyone to stay in bed, and we tried to be quiet about getting ready and packing our things up. Patti woke up, so we got hugs from her. Jo Anne set her clock for 5:00, but we didn't know that and were ready to head out early. We all had such a good time, and a beautiful sunrise greeted us on the way home...
There was an eerie mist floating above the Ohio River as we crossed it...
Not the Smoky Mountains, but the low clouds tell us why those mountains were named that way. These are the Blue Ridge Mountains we traveled through, heading south...
Back in Georgia, and almost home to Joey's, I requested a stop at Buc-ee's!! I laughed and said I was tired of being a Buc-ee's virgin and needed to see what all the hoopla is about! Good golly!! Wow!
This one has 120 gas pumps...
We didn't buy anything, but we did both use the pristine restrooms! On the way out, there was a sign seeking employees. The restroom cleaners make $21 an hour. Yes.
Darlene was still at the sanctuary when we got home. Joey and I decided we should order Chinese food, so we called her to see what she wanted. Dar's brother, Ronnie, lives there too, and he placed his order. I got shrimp lo mein and hot & sour soup (shared with Joey). We were all well-satisfied. and spent the rest of the evening visiting. Darlene has six baby ducks she is raising on their back porch, and she needed to clean out there and give them fresh water in the little swimming pools. They are about ready to move to the sanctuary, where there are more ducks and some chickens.
I left the next morning (yesterday) at 9:45 and arrived home in Lakeland at around 3:15. It was good to get home. The ride was great with minimal traffic and only a bit of rain twice. My boys were happy to see me, even though they were well cared for by Mary Jane and Susan. Blessed!! I got two loads of laundry done and everything put away. My happy place was calling me (my recliner!). It is good to be home.
Thanks for getting this far! This is my journal, and what a blessing to be able to look back and keep track of family, friends, and activities! Now, I will be off to Naples on Friday for my granddaughter's wedding shower. Lots of travel in a short time!! Gosh!!
Peace and Hugs!
