One of the joys of traveling is the opportunity to stop and visit with family and friends along the way. With our family so spread out, along with all of us being stuck at home for the past year of so, it’s been quite awhile since we’ve had the chance to visit anyone. This trip is bringing us to a few people we haven’t been able to see in a very long (or ever) time!
Our first visit was to see my youngest grandchildren, in Texas. At almost 4 and 7, I take every chance I can to see them, as they grow up so fast at that age and then as we all know, are off doing their own thing! Those two boys are so full of energy and giggles it just warms my heart each time I see them! We lucked out with the weather and even had a nice sunny, windy day and got to introduce the littlest one to “kite flying”. He really did quite well too! They have a rather large back yard, so can let loose and run and go with it quite a bit. Sometimes just enjoying the simple things brings the biggest joys. ;-)
After a week with them, we traveled on to Oklahoma where a couple of our friends from Happy Trails have their “other home”. They hadn’t made it down to Arizona this past season and I really missed them, so we decided to come to them! They have hook-ups in their driveway, which allowed us to park right there and stay a few days! Terri and Don were such fantastic hosts, cooking us dinners, playing cards, going shopping and sightseeing. We just had a ball, and almost hated to leave after our 3 day stay.
Our next rendezvous was in Louisiana, where my Grandson and his family lives. I have a new Great-Grandson that I hadn’t met yet and was anxious to meet, so had set up some time for all of us to get together over the weekend. What a treat that was! We all met over lunch first. After all the hugs, I asked if I could hold him (he’s 9 months old). He came right to me (you never know if a baby will take to you or not), he immediately put his little hands on my cheeks and gave me a big smile! Well, THAT just melted my heart!
After lunch we all went to the Shreveport Aquarium. What fun, Ezra was just beside himself. I put him next to the big tank and showed him the fish and he began to dance with joy! He was just so cute to watch, so excited about all the colors and moving fish! When we came to the tanks that you could reach in and touch the starfish or rays, he didn’t hesitate for a minute! His little eyes took in everything. I’m betting he went right to sleep on his way back home though, one tired little guy. It was a to short a visit, but a wonderful one.
From Louisiana we traveled on to Georgia to see a dear friend I hadn’t seen in over 35 plus years! Wayne was my “dancing partner” back in my “single days” in San Diego. We danced together every Tuesday night at a club near where I lived. He moved back to Georgia to help take care of his parents, and stayed. A few years later, on a cross-country trip with a friend, we stopped and visited him, but that’s the last time I saw him. We’ve stayed in contact though and remained friends, so when this opportunity came that we would be this close to where he lives, I wanted to see him (and dance!).
Wayne is retired, but still works part time as a Columbus GA. Sheriff assigned to a Municipal Courtroom. He was able to get one day off, but had to attend a class on the second day. He met us the day we arrived and took us out to dinner and then dancing. I haven’t been dancing (Jack doesn’t dance) in many, many, many years…but it all came right back! It was just like old times! We were the only ones on the dance floor, but we didn’t care. Damn, it felt good! We even got a few hoots and whistles! He said several people were video taping us, so if you see us on UTube, let me know! lol He dances regularly and is very good. One thing I’ve always enjoyed about him is that he is a great lead, and easy to follow.
Our last night together he came and picked us up straight from work (still in uniform). Drove us out to see where the law enforcement officers practice their shooting, then around town a bit and then changed clothes and then went to a great buffet dinner. Afterward we searched for another place to dance, but alas, no luck. Thursday nights just aren't "the night" for places to have live music, bummer. All to soon, it was time for us to bid farewell. I reminded him that he now owed me "two trips out my way" and now that his girls were older, and he was (kind of) retired, "no more excuses!" He agreed.
So much fun to have these kinds of visits along the way! Now it's time to go see the "Gold Coast of Georgia"! We will be visiting more family in July, but for the next six weeks or so, we are back to doing what we do best...seeing this beautiful country of ours!
...on the road in Georgia, Marie
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