Our Trip Across the U.S. South West
Day 1 - We're Snowbirds!
We’re on our way. This morning was interesting. When we finally climbed into the car, I said, “We’re an amazing team. We planned to leave at 9:00 a.m. It’s now 11:15. Still there’s been no stress, no grumpy words. Wow.”
Travelling for 7 weeks requires a tremendous amount of getting ready. Besides all the other stuff, we wanted to have our income tax ready for Alexis before we left. Sunday night I shouted triumphantly, “It’s done. We did it!”
At the same time, we needed to leave the house neat, tidy and extra clean. A few weeks ago, it seemed like a good idea when ou
r son said, “Mom, if you have any thoughts about downsizing and moving, you should list the house before you leave. You’ll be able to avoid the hassle of keeping it spotless for people to see.”
In practice, this brilliant idea meant that we wanted everything neat and clean before we left. For us, the process of packing, usually leaves each room filled with prop wash. You’d think a speed boat had ripped through scattering stuff in all directions. This time peace reigns everywhere. Everything is in place, even in the closets. After all, people like to examine closets. No wonder we were two hours late leaving.
The drive to Missassauga was uneventful. Tom dropped me at Erin Mills Parkway to pick up a journal book. He slipped over to the nursing home to visit his mom. Errands done, I strolled the mall. Up ahead I saw an Oshawa friend.
“Hi Linda.”
“Jan, what are you doing here?”
We went to Zellers for tea and a chin wag until Tom returned. I’m glad I don’t walk with my head down staring at the floor.
We arrived at my sister, Anne’s in Blenheim by 5:45, right on schedule. A fabulous cook, she had a roast beef dinner complete with home made apple pie planned and nearly ready. A drink, some conversation, and the meal was served. Already, I’m aware, we’ll have to be careful, or we’ll both be blimps before we get home. The evening slipped by, as we caught up on news. We set up our bed in a box (Canadian Tire Special), in their living room and slept.
Day Two March 2nd
Anne fed us once again, bacon and egg, toast, juice, muffins, fruit. She and Rod treat their guests like royalty. After a few false starts, the bed is back in it’s box, waiting at Anne’s for our return the end of April.
The border guard, friendly and polite, checked our passports, asked a few questions and waved us on. We’re in the U.S.A. Our journey has truly begun.
Tom drove until 4:00 p.m. I worked on my computer. We arrived in Florence Kentucky, just outside of Cincinnati. Both of us were ready to quit. We found a motel through the state coupon book. Forty-five dollars for a King side bed in a clean room. The coupon book said they had a swimming pool and a hot tub. Chaz the desk clerk offered friendly, helpful service. We climbed into the postage stamp sized pool and did our exercises. At least our stiff limbs are moving well. We walked up the street to Captain D’s Fish and Chips for supper, thinking we going to have a meal in a seafood diner. Tom described it as the MacDonald’s of the Fish and Chips world. The girls serving were friendly and helpful. The food tasted good as deep fried, breaded usually does. We returned to our room with our tummies full craving salad and fruit. The evening disappeared as we talked to family. The Skype to phone connection is amazing. We worked on the novel for a while and crawled into bed (no sign of a bedbug anywhere).
Day Three March 3rd
This morning we ate the “deluxe” continental breakfast that came with the room. When Chaz assured us there were fruit loops and frosted flakes, we should have guessed the quality of breakfast. We’ve decided that continental breakfasts in any form are not great. At noon, seeking to improve our diet, we stopped at a Wendy’s and shared a chicken apple salad. Fresh and crunchy and dressed with a yummy raspberry vinegrette, it was delicious.The people working there were great,too.
Tonight we’ve taken a giant step up in the world. We drove all the way to Memphis – approx. ten hours in the car. Our motel is called the Quality Suites. It’s fabulous. There’s a beautiful king sized bed, a chesterfield and easy chair, a table and two chairs, a sink with a granite top, fridge and microwave. Down the hall is a lovely pool and hot tub. We’re on the main floor. There is a full hot breakfast served. Tonight they gave us free beer, chicken wings, nacho’s and salsa and chips etc. That was our “snack” before supper. We went to Jim and Nick’s after and shared a plate of barbecued pulled pork. “Delicious”. At the motel we received a coupon for pie as well. Already I’m gaining weight, but eating my way across the U.S. is great. Tomorrow we go to Graceland. That will be neat. It’s time for bed.
Day Four
Wonderful, that’s my word for Day Four. We slept in and made it just under the wire to our “free breakfast”. Real scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, sausage, all of them hot, the ever present waffles, boiled eggs, cereal, yogurt, fruit and more and more. We tanked up, ready for a hard day of being a tourist. We phoned Graceland for directions. After we had crossed the Mississippi into Arkansas by the Mud Island Pyramid, we knew we were going the wrong way. Obviously, the nice young woman had misunderstood Tom, when he told her our location. We dug out our tourist books and figured it out. A U-turn and some back tracking and we were at Graceland. The extra drive was beautiful. Spring is arriving here. Lacy white clouds of dogwood and apple blossoms dot the landscape. In between is a green haze – tiny leaves on every tree that seem to unfurl even as we drive by.
Graceland was great. The platinum tour, which we chose, instead of the much more costly, V.I.P., offered us more than we needed for one day. We donned our headphones climbed on the shuttle and rode up the long driveway to the mansion. Young people anxious to help, waited at every corner. It was the best organized self-guided tour I’ve ever taken. The mansion is amazing. The entire tour glorifies the successful Elvis, and yet it is well done and very interesting. Of course there are 12 gift shops and multi-places to eat. We looked, we read, we listened, we walked, we ate, we shopped. At 3:30, all of our senses totally sated, and our energy dwindling, at we trudged back to our car. We needed a wee nap.
The night before, Matthew, our helpful desk clerk, had searched out a dance club for us. The evening started at 5:30 with dancing lessons. The Memphis Bop Club welcomed us with open arms. We learned a new step that is much easier on the knees than the “Western Swing”. We also learned a new waltz pattern that is graceful to watch and fun to do. The average age of this friendly fun group of about 130 people is 50-55. They danced to a DJ. The lively music gave us opportunity to Bop, Swing, Line Dance, Waltz, Cha Cha and more. Many of the people were fabulous dancers. By 9:45 my knees and Tom’s hip, knee and ankle, had started to rebel.
“We’re leaving soon, too,” Our new friends said. “It’s over at 10:30. Meet us at Perkins for coffee and a bit more visiting.
Yes, we were tired, but neither of us like to see good things come to an end. At Perkins, I had “hot tea”, and a decadent brownie, icecream, fudge sauce combination. In my mind it was a huge improvement on “deep fried breaded” but the calories were probably equal. My fabulous desert meant that I was still awake at 3:00 a.m. Eventually, I slept.
Day Five Saturday
Our new Memphis dancing friends invited us to a dance tonight at a United Methodist church but we have decided to head on down to Baton Rouge. We’ll be able to go to church on Sunday morning and still get to Houma before dark.
Most of this day was spent driving. At one point, I drove for about an hour. Our carousing last night took its toll. Tom needed a rest. The rain had stopped. There was little traffic on the interstate. So my turn at driving was a breeze. Driving the interstate is like driving the 401. Miles and miles of seeing nothing except the interstate is like driving down a tunnel. The good people who designed the interstates planted a wide band of trees on both sides and up the middle. I keep thinking, they’d have no problem with blowing snow. The drive was uneventful.
Dusk fell as we drove into Baton Rouge. We navigated the octopus of cement interchanges and found the hotel easily. This Quality Suites was even roomier than the last. We ran through the pelting rain into the walkway. This desk clerk suggested a restaurant just up the road and under the interstate. We found it no problem. The Cajun food was delicious and a little pricey. Dinner over we drove across the road to the mall. I needed a record book for our journey. The one I bought back in Mississauga has disappeared. Tom got a pair of clark’s shoes for $55. That’s a bargain. He didn’t bring his dancing shoes. These don’t have leather soles either. Guess we’ll get some Teflon and some glue. It really is important to be able to slide your feet when you dance.
Our shopping done we decided we were done too. Back at the hotel the internet kept cutting out. Finally I gave up and we crawled thankfully into bed.
Day Six Sunday
We started with exercises and then breakfast. This place included a cook to order hot breakfast. Down in the dining area, a friendly smiling lady was taking orders, cooking and cleaning tables. As a one woman show, she was amazing. I cut back to one egg and one piece of toast this morning. Well, I had bacon and homefries and cream cheese with my toast. But I didn’t have butter.
For church, we chose Jimmy Swaggart’s Family Worship Centre. It was just down the street. Why not take the opportunity to do the mega church experience. The building is amazing, wonderfully designed for openness and friendship and selling. And there were many things for sale in the foyer and in the store – almost everything was Jimmy Swaggart something. The music was great. We enjoyed the first hour. Jimmy is a fine singer and pianist. As a preacher, he leaves a bit to be desired, although at 76 he delivered his sermon with great style and energy. All in all, we felt as if we had been more to a show than anything.
We ate our cheese and crackers parked at the gas station, and headed south for Houma, Louisianna and Mardi Gras.
We arrived at our bed and breakfast at supper time. Where do I begin. The next four days were spent in absolute luxury at the Twelve Oaks Plantation Bed and Breakfast. We enjoyed the Southern hospitality in Southern luxury. The mansion built with big white pillars out front and side marquis carport type structure, that the horse and buggy’s would drive under to let out the guests, men in tails, women in the southern belle dresses. The entrance doorway, decorated for Mardi Gras, in purple, gold and green, with tiny white lights intertwined, welcomed us to Louisianna’s grandeur. Inside the rooms were huge and filled with antiques. Our king sized bed set in the middle of the wall, was flanked on three sides by multi-drawered dressers and a full wall of bookcases. The outer two walls still had room for floor to ceiling windows hung with fabulous drapes and sheers. We had a walk in closet on one side of the bed and the ensuite on the other. The ensuite was two rooms, the first with counters, mirror and sink and a small writing desk and chair. The second housed the tub, sink counter and toilet. Everything beautifully decorated and on the shelves an abundance of thick fluffy towels. I felt rich and pampered for four days. Downstairs, in the formal dining room we enjoyed breakfast, egg casseroles, biscuits that melted in your mouth, fresh fruit cocktail in crystal, juice, bacon, sausage, and on and on, different each day, and everything delicious. Even the cloth napkins matched the colour scheme each day. Coffee and tea was available all day. We came home from the parades, swamp tour, etc. and swam in the largest private kidney shaped indoor pool, I have experienced, and then renewed our tired bones and muscles in the hot tub. We gathered in the evenings with the other guests, in the livingroom downstairs. We even got to do our washing at no extra cost. The owner Barbara, offered information, welcome, friendship and care. We’ll never forget these delightful four days of total luxury and all for $100 a night tax included.
Of course there was more to Houma, then Twelve Oaks. We were introduced to Mardi Gras and the amazing parades. I’m sure the parades in New Orleans were bigger, the costumes more elaborate, but what we saw satisfied us totally. The people cheered and screamed for beads. The highschool bands stepped lively as they played. There were floats, trucks and cars. We stood in the sunshine in light spring jackets and cheered and caught beads. We’ve now got a recycle bag, and a grocery bag full of beads, stuffed toys, nerf balls etc. During the second parade we stood beside a couple who were collecting beads to throw because they were riding on the floats the next day. They handed us anything unusual they collected. We gave them our ordinary beads. Some collected beads to sell back to the store for recycling. It’s hard to describe. At first, I felt as if it was just pushing greed. Although there is that element, that is not the point. This is the big community celebration of the year. The Krewe’s, (Mardi Gras Social Clubs), have worked all year for this. Besides the parades, Mardi Gras is like a debutante celebration. It is the coming out party for the rich young women of the south. The debutantes are dressed in white and presented at the court of the chosen king and queens of each Krewe. It’s a long story, and I’ll explain it more when we get home.
Besides Mardi Gras, we went on a swamp tour. We picked the coldest day of our trip, and left in the motor boat at 3:30. Mistake. I wore my winter parka and even put the hood up on the way back. The alligators were cuddled up wherever they go when its cold. We saw one on a rock at the beginning of the tour. Jimmy our guide, tried calling his friends out for some chicken but they obviously weren’t interested. The alligators are smarter than the humans. We saw all manner of blue herons, great snowy egrets and many other variety of birds, interesting trees etc. It was a good trip.
On Wednesday, after Mardi Gras was over, we drove into New Orleans and walked through the French Quarter. We watched an amazing street magician. He took a guy’s hundred dollar bill, had him write his name on it, and then made it disappear. Fifteen minutes later, after a whole series of tricks and lots of patter, he cut open a kiwi fruit and there folded up in the middle was the hundred dollar bill. He gave us a great show. We took a caleche ride and heard the history. We walked the open air market picking up souvenirs and our Halloween costumes. We’ve decided to go as members of Mardi Gras. By then it was 6 p.m. We had arrived at noon. There were tours we had planned on taking but we didn’t have time. That was fine with us. Tom and I are not hard core tourists. We do a little, see a little, and enjoy a lot. We skipped supper, and ate crackers and cheese in the car, in order to get to the 7:00 dance lesson at the Rock and Bowl. That’s right, on a beautiful hardwood floor, at a massive bowling alley, we had our lesson, and then danced the night away to a live four piece swing band (drums, keyboard, saxophone, bass guitar). The dancing was amazing. Many of the dancers were young and well, of course I don’t need to describe it. After hours pounding the pavement in the French quarter, our feet and knees gave out by ten o’clock. When we got back to Twelve Oaks we crawled gratefully into the hot tub.
Yesterday, we did laundry, swam, had breakfast, packed up and left for Lafayette, Louisianna. On the way, we stopped at the governors southern mansion. The name escapes me this morning. Mary Edwards showed us around. This is the present governors home. Again antiques filled the rooms. The crystal chandeliers were massive and gorgeous. He had a collection of carved birds, their feathers so real, we had to touch them to believe they were wood. The most amazing thing about this tour was that we could touch things. Nothing was roped off and we could take pictures and not worry about the flash. After the tour we walked the grounds. Today the plantation is only 35 acres. In its beginning it was 3000 acres. Three hundred slaves worked on building the house.
We stopped last night in Lafayette at a Howard Johnson motel. We had a lovely big room with a king size bed. For $45 plus tax it also included breakfast. Of course, we are spoiled now. Motel breakfasts leave a great deal to be desired. Now maybe if we got up earlier and arrived at the beginning it might be better. Oh well, we can’t live in luxury all the time. It wouldn’t be special then. Before we left we went on line and found our place in Houston to dance tonight. We called on Skype and got directions. Now, we’re in the car, listening to the gospel choir and driving the interstate. Life is wonderful. We’re happy.
Friday and Saturday in Houston
Thanks to the coupon book, we’re staying in a Best Western for $60 a night (including a hot breakfast). There’s an outdoor pool and hot tub. The pool’s a wee bit chilly, even though the air has warmed up considerably. I’m actually leaving my summer jacket behind in the middle of the day. The hotel clerk Jessica, recommended “The Aquarium Restaurant.” Tom fought Friday night traffic into the centre of Houston, and we had a wonderful experience. The tables, cloth tablecloths and napkins, surrounded an enormous aquarium. While we ate, sharks, alligator gars, tuna, and more, swam peacefully by. Our waiter identified each species and told us that the fish were too well fed to be eating each other. Our meal was delicious and reasonable. After dinner we walked over to the dance floor in this “amusement park” and joined the free dancing lessons. We learned a few “salsa” steps. We stayed after to dance for about 15 minutes. By then, our knees and hips were complaining. Our thoughts turned to ballroom dancing, so we climbed back into the car. Tom, a wonderful city driver, ferried us back to a different interstate and north towards an Italian restaurant for dancing. On the internet, and over the phone, it sounded easy. Problem was, our directions lacked a few details. We got off the interstate and then what? Tom found a gas station and went in to ask or call. A trucker, overhearing our dilemma, offered to help. Trailing his transport car carrier, he led us under the interstate and back a ways, under the interstate yet again, and right to the restaurant. He stopped and watched us pull safely into the parking lot, and then our angel pulled away into the night. Inside was a three piece band, playing music from the forties, a wonderful hardwood dance floor, and a group of friendly ballroom dancers. They welcomed us. Keyboard artist singer, did Canadian Sunset for us. We had a lovely evening. Contented we climbed back into the car, and Tom navigated us the half hour of freeway driving back to the hotel.
Saturday in Houston
We awoke a little stiff, but a few exercises removed the kinks. After breakfast, (definitely not gourmet but adequate), we thought we’d try the hot tub. They hadn’t expected to have crazy Canadians who hot tub outside in winter. The hot tub was tepid. We scrapped that idea and returned to our room. After about an hour surfing the net, we were ready to leave for the NASA space centre. We had lined up square dancing in the same area.
The space centre required a trip to the “ring road” around the city and out the interstate toward’s Galveston. Once again, it was like a theme park, and yet it was wonderful. We saw an fabulous movie about the space program, which was comprised of video clips of actual events skillfully edited together with a voice over. That movie alone was worth the price of admission. We exited the movie into a museum/display area with actual rockets, and capsules and space suits and moon rocks. We even got to touch a moon rock, that had been worn smooth and shiny by so many hands. On line we had bought the audio tour at half price, so the whole experience was only about $30 for the two of us. We rode the tram out to the command centre and walked along a Saturn Five. With all of its rocket sections it filled a building approx. 300 meters long and four stories high. Exhausted with information overload, we left the NASA complex at six p.m. and settled into a table at Chilles restaurant. We’d been given a coupon for Nacho’s and a quesno (a spicy cheese dip that was physically hot as well). We dove into the nacho’s as if we hadn’t seen food in days. Then we munched through our entre. Refreshed and stuffed we changed into dancing clothes and joined the square dancers. These weren’t old time square dancers like us. They did the modern square dancing. We quickly realized that we were out of our league with these accomplished advanced square dancers. They were patient and pushed us through four dances. Then they returned our money and told us to stay and visit and enjoy the evening. A very nice man invited me to dance to a few more but mostly we watched. I sold three books. As Tom said, our dinner was paid for.
We returned to our hotel and collapsed.
This morning, we rose early – extra early because the state went on Daylight Savings Time last night. We dragged ourselves out of bed and into the shower. Breakfast eaten we returned to our room to pack. Tom took a load down to the car. When he returned, he said, “We’ve left our clothes for the memorial service in Houma.” That’s right. We had spent four days in Houma so we had brought his suit and mine, and my clergy gown etc into the bed and breakfast. We thought it would be good for everything to hang up and let the wrinkles fall out. Well, they’ve had a few extra days of hanging.
Without any harsh words, and enjoying a bit of laughter we loaded the car and drove back the way we came. We had our own church in the car, after which I wrote a reflection for the Millbrook Times and did some work on Sam's service. We got to Houma at 4:00, picked up our clothes and turned around. It took more than the five hours we had predicted. Oh well, the job was done. We drove almost to Lake Charles near the Louisianna border before we stopped for the night. Tomorrow we'll be in Houston in about two hours and on our way to San Antonio. Tonight we're in a Day's Inn. We didn't have a coupon book because of course I had thrown out all the ones for Louisanna. After all, we had been in Houston. Day's in isn't bad for expensive and this one is every bit as nice as any hotel we've ben in. The front desk person, suggested we go up the street to a Mexican restaurant for our late supper. What a fantastic place. The plain, simple decor was offset by smiling friendly people and delicious food. We ordered a Mexican dinner. They brought us each two platters full of food. The bill at the end was less than twenty dollars tax included. Tom couldn't eat all of his and half of mine as he usually does. He actually had to quit. I left room for dessert back at the motel. Yesterday we bought raspberries. We picked up a tiny individual yogurt size container of Hagendaz ice cream. I covered the raspberries and ice cream with a few spoonfuls of my chocolate sauce we had been toting along. I intended to give it away before we left. WE didn't want it to spoil while we were away so we just brought it along. It makes our lunch cooler heavy but other than that requires very little attention. My dessert was delicious. Now, we're relaxing a bit before bed. This is truly a wonderful journey.
