So our trip back to Texas started off one week after we had arrived. We knew pulling a trailer would likely lengthen the trip (but then you haven't seen me drive the Arctic Highway...that's a story that hasn't been told in print, and should be told...soon) so we planned for at least two long days of driving.
Before we left I had, only half jokingly, mentioned I could be found locked in the bathroom as we were making our final preperations to leave. I knew it was going to be hard and I knew it would be heavy on my heart for some time...truth be told I still haven't recovered. I really and truly love it there.
But, true to form, my family promised wonderous adventure on the way home and silly me.... I believed them. Since we hadn't done anything on the way there we decided to build in a stop or two on the way back.
Welcome to our adventure in the deep south......
Now when I agreed to that plan this is not what I had in mind.....
Umm, yeah....somewhere in North Carolina everyone got a little famished and I was looking for an Olive Garden (soup, salad and breadsticks is my version of fast food) but I was outvoted. If you've never had the pleasure of eating at Bojangles, well...don't worry. Now I hadn't eaten at Bojangles since I was in college in Norfolk,Virginia (have I mentioned how I ♥ Virginia) where there is one of these on every corner. It did not dissapoint in its moist (read:greasy) chicken and super sweet tea. Lets just say this isn't really travelin' food...but as a digestive adventure it did not dissapoint!
Sunday night we stayed in Selma, Alabama. We were intrigued by the zillions of catfish farms we saw on our way through that state. My sister went to college for two years in Alabama (before coming back to Virgina to finish college) and she says she loved it...I don't get it...enough said.
We started our trip Monday morning with the knowledge that:
a) we were driving until we got home no matter how late it was going to be and
b) we would be making a stop to visit Vicksburg Civil War Battlefield in Mississippi.
It was blessed hot but it was a beautiful place. Luckily our National Parks Pass (yes we are National Parks Pass geeks...live with it) enabled us to visit for free which was in keeping with the budget theme of this trip...
Upon arriving, the park ranger informed us they they would be firing the cannon in just 5 minutes so we parked and assembled.
The docents were in full gear, sweating to death, but obviously very committed. So we plugged our ears and waited....
It was quite a sight....and sound! It was pretty impressive but it was, as I mentioned HOT and HUMID, so...
we headed to theindoor museum and gift shop...which is the kiss of death. How can they pack so much crappy junk into such a small space. Honestly this is one of the downfalls of taking our kids to historical places. The junk is marketed as historical education material.
Oh they tried to get me to buy things, even giving me sweet smiles and pleading looks.
I reminded Brooke to take that bonnet off or all she would be leaving with was lice...and since it was free, it was hers to keep, why not! Oh I kid... she did not get lice...but she did stop asking me for bonnets! Mission accomplished!
As soon as we left the battlefield, we crossed....
.....the Mighty Mississippi...as in river. We have crossed the Mississippi River many times in our travels and I always have the same thought..."mighty Mississippi....mighty mucky and murky looking."
Now after that we crossed into Louisiana, which we had never been in before...officially Lousiana is the Pelican State but unofficially it's the land-o'-many-a-casino. Good-ness. I've driven through Las Vegas and those folks have some competition. I have a thought about possibly taking some casino dollars and turning them into educational dollars and creating Ivy League Elementary Schools all over that state. CRAZY!!!!
Imagine our surprise when we stopped to get gas at Love's...and decided to double our money saw a casino on one end of the gas station and an Arby's on the other end.
I am ashamed to speak of what happened next....that we not only got gas here, but we also...I don't even know if i can say it out loud, to you...all my friends.....
we also had an Arby's sandwich!!!
There....my shame is revealed for all to hear. Please do not judge me...I was worn down by a husband and children and my own saddness about leaving Virginia. I don't normally partake of Arby's...and just so you know I can stop any time I want. (Seriously I really don't like Arby's but the rest of my family does and I was worn down for the above mentioned reasons and I caved, plus I was truly distracted by the gas station casino.)
Anyway, to end this way too long story, we drove and drove and drove and drove and drove and we arrived at our house around 1:30 am. We unloaded our car and headed to bed. It was a long trip but worth it. I wish I could have stayed a bit longer and visited friends or maybe have attended my high school reunion (wow...ten years has flown by...hahahhahahaha) which I realized was happening the exact weekend we were there but our mission was to bring back our junk and that we did...every last bit of junk we own is now with us...here in Texas!!! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
YARD SALE!!!!!
2 comments:
I SOOOOOOOOO miss BoJangles Bo-Berry biscuits in the morning...don't be dissing! :) I kid, actually that's all i miss, they really aren't that great. looks like another adventure with the nowaks. can't wait to read and hear about Deanna's visit to TX. Unfortunately, I never got to meet up with her here in Hawaii, it was just too crazy of a time.
Have you guys been to Big Bend yet? We'll have to bring OUR NPS pass down and check it out with you. Yes, we've had one on and off every year since oh, 1997ish.
OK, off to fresh halibut and herby rice.
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