About last night . . .

Life is one beautiful trip

Now that I haven't been murdered in my sleep, I can share this story and not scare my family half to death. 

What? I'm napping here.

Scooter loves to travel. He has his own little doggie bed in the car. It seems he has no interest in other dogs, just humans, and mostly women. He can turn a perfectly strict disciplinarian into a complete mushball in about two minutes. (Yes, I'm talking about Gretchen and G-na.) He loves hiking, too. But he goes completely goo goo happy over hotel rooms. They are the best amusement park in the world to him. 

A lot of folks think it is a pain in the patootie to bring a dog on a trip. Yes, it does require some re-arrangement of plans. True, I can't take him into fine restaurants, but there are so many great establishments with outdoor cafes which welcome dogs, that it is no big deal. And yesterday, in the pouring rain, I picked up a loaf of French bread, Irish butter, Drunken Goat cheese, and a salad. We had a terrific picnic in the backseat of the car.

Last night, we (Scooter and I) decided to treat ourselves to a hotel room. We put in some extra miles to get around the throbbing hot mess of Atlanta, get closer to Texas, and give ourselves some time to lollygag today.

We pulled off I20 into Tuscaloosa, Alabama because of the many hotel signs we had seen for that exist. Lots of choices. Apparently, everyone else on I20 had the same idea. Who knew Tuscaloosa was so jam packed at 8 o'clock on a Friday night? We pulled up to a chain motel when I noticed that the parking lot was surrounded by a 10 foot high security gate. This did not feel safe at all. Any place that requires that type of measure is not a good place for me to walk Scooter.

So we continued to drive southwest. Let me tell you, there is zero, zip, zero, nothing between Tuscaloosa and Meridian. Or it seems that way after dark.

We pulled up to a Hilton in Meridian. After a quick check at the front desk, I was informed that they are not pet friendly. I got back into the car and informed Scooter, "They don't serve your kind here Darlin'; we are moving on." 

After saying to the Hilton clerk, "I understand, but I'm dead beat, do you know of a close by hotel that is pet friendly?" she recommended the Drury across the street.

The check in lady at Drury, Kathleen, could not have been sweeter. Of course being a dog person herself (chihuahua), she fell under Scooter's spell in about two seconds.

Scooter and I grabbed a luggage cart and hauled our stuff upstairs. He rides a luggage cart like a long board. I really need to video this next time. In the process, people stop to tell me how cute he is. I am accustomed to folks stopping to chat about dogs. We dog people are quite friendly. After seeing the same man three times, though, I got a bit suspicious.

Stuff unloaded. Cart returned. I'm just getting ready to collapse on the bed when the phone rings. I'm thinking it is the front desk; maybe I've forgotten to sign something? I pick up the receiver and the voice on the other end informs me he is the man I've seen three times. He asks me if I need some company.

"No! And I am freaked out that you would call my room!"

I immediately called Kathleen at the front desk. She came up to my room lickety split. Packed up all my belongings and moved me to a different room on a different floor. She asked for a full description of the man and even volunteered to join me when I walked Scooter. She then placed us in a full suite to apologize for my experience. She could not have handled the situation any better.

I went to bed and slept like a rock. Having Scooter with me makes all the difference because he growls at anything that even comes close to the hotel room door. He is my own personal, fuzzy burglar alarm.

I have no fear of traveling alone, and I share this story to remind others that you need to be a bit paranoid and untrusting. That man may have been perfectly harmless, but why take a risk? Plus, I got upgraded to a full suite which I am really enjoying this morning. 

Now, I'm going to go down to the restaurant and get some yummy free breakfast. "Scooter? Would you like a sausage and some grits?"

Day 2 still raining

Life is one beautiful trip

Funny how in all road trip my fantasizing, I didn't picture rain. It's not so bad, though. My first night could not have been more perfect. I stopped in Simpsonville, SC to see my cousins – Trish, her daughter G-na and husband Scott, and G-na's son Nick. I haven't seen these ladies since I was a teenager. It was such a relaxed evening catching up on our lives. The whole time, I kept looking at G-na thinking, "She's a grown up," which is kinda funny cause her kids are older than mine. My favorite part of the visit? They call me by my real name. 

I'm aiming the car toward Birmingham, Alabama now. Hopefully, out of the rain.

Raining and zero mph in Greenville, SC.

And it rained in Georgia.

And it was still raining when I crossed into Alabama.

But by the time I got to Birmingham, the temperature had reached 78 degrees and the skies cleared. 

Vulcan in Birmingham, AL

Vulcan, the Roman God of Fire, is the largest cast iron statue in the world.  Made by Guiseppe Moretti in 1904, he stands 56 feet tall and weighs 50 tons.

He pierced the clouds to empty them of the rain today.

18th Street, Birmingham, Alabama

Bessemer, Alabama

Beautiful end of day, headed to my next destination.

This is it

Life is one beautiful trip

The car is packed. I've reviewed three different lists. If I don't have it, I'll do without, or buy it along the way. It will be interesting to see what I've packed that I don't wind up using.

It is now raining, and I am only about a half an hour late. 

One month of clothes in one bag. This is SO not me.

I miss Griffin, Reagan, and all my boys already. (Jake, Bobby, and Mason) You all alternate between picking on me relentlessly and treating me like the Queen Mum. Just the right combination of honor and ridicule. Thank you.

Scooter knows something is up because of the 483 trips I made in and out of the house yesterday, cleaning and packing the car. I have assured him that I am not leaving without him.

Thank you everyone for your prayers. Your love and the angels are traveling with us. 

Room for Scooter and Jo's stuff in the back seat.

I did not choose this as a departure date on purpose. I started with the day I need to meet Joelle in Texas and then calculated backwards how long it would take me to get there. Four years ago today I lost my beloved Darryl. So this trip is dedicated to you Honey. You better be riding along. 

He's still my love.

I'm just not ready

Life is one beautiful trip

In 48 hours I'm leaving on a one-month cross country trip – and I am not ready. I'm sitting on the back porch in my nightgown. The car needs an oil change. I have a 5:00 p.m. writing deadline and need to be two hours away in Columbia by 5:30 for an award ceremony. There is $13 in my wallet. I'm not packed. I never practiced camping. Griffin has just announced that we are having a houseguest flying in from Germany in half an hour. No one knows how long she is staying. 

The next month is going to be the most intense lesson I have ever received on living in the moment.

And I am in a great mood.

Practically neighbors

Life is one beautiful trip

There are so many beautiful things to see, even before I take off on my trip. My home is built on the site of a former rice plantation along the Ashley River. The trees that line the entrance road are Virginia Live Oak, planted around 1793.

the road into my place

Practically right next door to where I live, the property just to the right, is Magnolia Plantation. My brother Gary, and sister-in-law Roxy are here visiting this weekend and we stopped in to see the neighbors. 

The Drayton family home.
The core of the house was built prior to the Revolutionary War in Summerville, SC,
then floated down the Ashley River to it's present location after the Civil War.

Originally a 2,000 acre rice plantation, much of
the remaining 500 acre property is swamp today. 

I do believe he is headed our way.

That's better, a spot in the shade.

Surprise lily

Cypress knees grow above the roots of the tree to aid in oxygenation.

Egret stalking her prey

Today's tune
Presto from Sonata 1 – Bach

Today's Gratitude
family
perfect weather
living in such a beautiful place
Griffin, always

Under the Sea

Life is one  beautiful trip

I'm a lucky, lucky girl. Tonight I had the great honor to be given a private, after hours tour of the South Carolina Aquarium, thanks to my friend Kelly. Kelly is their marketing director, and I am convinced she has the coolest job in all of South Carolina.

The attention given to the entrance is a clue to how beautifully designed the exhibits are.

Insect habitat, artfully designed

Even the sidewalks have decoration.

These bronze art pieces help protect the concrete.

Interior wall, ceramic tile with running water cascading over the surface 

Installation piece depicting seagulls

Unable to return to the wild due to an injury, this majestic Bald Eagle lives out her days
cared for by the loving staff of the SC Aquarium.

This porcupine fish will puff up when stressed. Thankfully that is no more than a yearly occurance.

Too many fish to count in this 42 foot deep tank.

We've had a lot of sharks along the Charleston coast this summer.

Lion fish are not indigenous to this region and are damaging to the ecosystem because of overeating. Some of those spines along the front are poisonous. Local restaurants are beginning to add them to the menu.

Did you know that an octopus can change color?

My delightful hostess and guide, Kelly. She gets to wrestle the alligators, too.

The lobster watched us closely.

Today's tune

Underwater Rimes – Digital Underground

Today's Gratitude

a sense of wonderment
volunteers
the inexhaustible limits of nature
Griffin, always

The key to spontaneity is a good spreadsheet

Life is one beautiful trip

As many of you know, Joelle is joining me for part of One Beautiful Trip. She is one of the three members of the triumvirate November Girls: Amy, Joelle, me. We all have November birthdays, were friends the instant we met, and are thick as thieves. Our three-way, stream of consciousness texts and messages would have you rolling on the floor. Sadly, for you, you will never see them. They are forever top secret, eyes-only, part stand-up, part therapy. 

November Girls make the Energizer Bunny look like a slacker. We have enough energy to power Moscow for a week, don't sleep much, get up really dang early, will try anything, and go anywhere. We are planners, list makers, and researchers. Mostly, we are DOers.

As such, what would One Beautiful Trip be without some lists, some spreadsheets, and about 400,000 text messages?* Of course, we are sharing them on Google whatevers.

So far, we have:

• a packing list spreadsheet–it includes the item, who is bringing it, a column to check when packed, and notes. We have decided to live life on the edge and forgo the recommended snake bite kit.
• Scooter list– the Vet put together of all things Scooter will need and even assembled a canine first aid kit that includes syringes and medical tape
• a mileage chart showing distances between all possible destinations
• average day/night temperatures in all possible destinations for September/October
• a playlist assembled by DJ Amy. We'll post the complete thing later.
• campground list–both KOA and National Parks
• there's a rumor that someone has even made a list of public restrooms

*Did I mention I have been called the Queen of the Bulleted List?

Watch for future posts where we share a list of our favorite links, and our constantly growing list of road tunes.

Today's tune

There is a list of songs that are about lists. What?!!!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_song

Here's just one:
Girl of 100 Lists – Go Gos

Today's Gratitude

lists
spreadsheets
geeks & nerds
Griffin, always