July 17
This is the end!! We are home and glad to be sitting on our couch.
We had a wonderful time traveling together and seeing the sights.
We realize that we are very, very fortunate to be able to travel like this, and we are truly thankful to our God for the blessings that we have that allow us to do the things we do.
Tune in again next year.
Ron and Sandy

July 16
We spent the day at Vicksburg just like we spend every trip to Vicksburg - at the Military Park. Each time we become more educated!!
We head home tomorrow.
Ron and Sandy

July 15

Today we traveled to Vicksburg, Ms to Aunt Dot's. We stopped in Jackson, Ms at the zoo. We really enjoyed the zoo - especially Katey. When we got to Aunt Dots we had a feast of catfish and all the trimmings. It seems as if the vacation has been based around food!

We will spend tomorrow here and leave for home on Thursday.

Ron and Sandy

Ron and I are glad to have Lucy and Katey join us for this part of our trip.

Today we left Georgia after a wonderful time with our family. We drove to Birmingham, Alabama where we stopped at Oak Mountain State Park. They have a wildlife rescue facility there. We toured it and saw them "tending" to animals that were injured. We went on a elevated "treetop" walk. We saw several exhibits of animals that had been rescued and were not able to be released. This required another hike in the hills.

We left Birmingham and drove on to Meridian, Ms. for the night. Tomorrow we will head to Vicksburg by way of Jackson.

Ron and Sandy

We have had a wonderful few days of visiting with our family at the family reunion. For our Texas group this was a time to get to visit aunts and cousins and to see the new "crop" of "Smith" kids coming up.


Katey and Lucy are joining us for the remainder of our trip. We are beginning our trip back west and will make some stops on the way.

Ron and Sandy

We have been out of blog "business" for two days so I will catch up.

On Thursday we traveled across the mountains of north Georgia. Our goal was to eat at a place called the Dillard House. There is history behind wanting to eat there. When my daddy was young he went to Jr. College in Rabun Gap, GA. He was poor and owned one pair of overalls. Across the road was the fancy, fine restaurant - The Dillard House. They would watch all the families drive up there to eat and he said to himself that one day he was going to take his family to eat there. He did do that in later years and so in honor of daddy we went there.

We go in, sit down, they take our drink order and tell us that our food will be there soon. Ron looked at me and said "We haven't even ordered!" Well, little did we know that they brought you all they had. They came out with a platter about 3 feet in diameter loaded with food. They put 16 serving dishes on the table for just the two of us. You should have seen Ron's face -- in fact the picture tells some of the story. You cannot see my half of the table!

We are now deep in family at our reunion and look forward to another great day.

Ron and Sandy

Day 8

This morning after "Red, White, and Blueberry" pancakes from IHOP we headed for the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. We studied the map carefully and decided to start on an easy hike to (I can't remember the name) Waterfalls. When we got there we found out that about 500 others had the same idea. We skipped that adventure and headed across the mountains on Newfound Road. This road carries you all the way across the top of that section of the mountains. All along the way there were areas to pull over, hike, look at God's handiwork, and wait for faster cars to pass you. We finally got to the Newfound Gap where the Appalachian Trail crossed the area. Now - know that our goal was not to hike far on the trail just to hike some on the trail. There were about 300 people at the beginning of the trail - but not to worry about crowds - they did not go on the trail just took their picture at the sign! Ron and I started up at a healthy pace and did pretty well for 2 non hikers. We stepped over rocks and stumps and kept on walking up the incline - well for 1/2 mile. Then we decided it was time to turn around. Coming down was easier on the lungs but harder on the legs!

Our next stop was at Clingman's Dome. This was another 1/2 mile incline walk. I had to stop a few times on the way up but I am proud to say I made it. But the best part is that we made it back to the car just as the rain started.

We drove to Blue Ridge, Georgia where we are staying tonight.

It has been great day but my tennis shoes are saying "enough"!

Pictures 2 is when we turned around on the trail and picture 3 was what was behind us when we turned around.

Ron and Sandy

Day 7

We left this morning and headed east across Kentucky and dipped down into Tennessee. The day was mostly spent in the car. We did stop in Oak Ridge, Tennessee where Daddy worked on the Manhatten Project in 1950. There was an interesting museum that we viewed. Some of the apartment housing that we lived in are still there.

We then traveled on to Pigeon Forge, TN where we are spending the night. We went to a show that was realy good. I think we are off to the Smokey Mountains tomorrow.

Interesting road sign!

Ron and Sandy

Day 6
We left Nashville bright and early --- well not so early --this morning and headed to Bowing Green, Kentucky. Two of the things Ron has been looking forward to seeing were the Corvette manufacturing plant and the Corvette museum. Can you imagine his puppy dog pout when the plant was not open today? We did get to go to the museum and learn almost everything there is to know about Corvettes. Ron bought a raffle ticket to win a 2009 red Corvette convertible. When he wins it on August 30, he will be flown back up here and will get a private tour of the manufacturing plant. The picture is Ron and his “winning” ticket.
We left Bowling Green and headed to Mammoth Cave – a National Park in Kentucky. We are staying in the park tonight. There is no cell service but I think I can post this blog from the lobby. We did get a call to Lucy out and she has an emergency number for tonight. We toured underground this afternoon –2 miles, 2 hours and 457 stairs. Of course that is not counting the ¼ mile uphill hike to get back to our room.
However, I am now rested and we are off to a campfire program.

At the end of the campfire program we saw a snake coming into the ampitheater as we were going out. We went out quickly.
The grands would have enjoyed this park.
Ron and Sandy

Day 5
After 4 days and 442 miles (not counting the side trips) we have covered the Natchez Trace. We stopped at almost every stop and read every bit of printed information. It was very interesting. The road and surrounding area is a national park. There were many bikers and motorcyclists and even walkers traveling on the road. All along the way are park areas and campsites. In the northern part you would stop and find families playing in the creeks along the road.
One spot along the road was the Jackson Falls. We missed the stop and turned into the next stop. There was a 1/3 mile trail back to the falls so we decided to do that rather than turn around. What the sign did not say was that the trail was up a mountain (well maybe a big hill). We trudged up to the top and started down when it occurred to us that if we continued we would have to walk back up that side. We decided that 1 cardio workout in 1 hours time was enough so we turned around, went back down and drove back to the falls. When we got to the site for the falls you had to walk down a 900 foot, very steep path. Well after asking around and finding out that the falls was almost dried up, we got back in our air conditioned car and drove on.
As we got off the Trace and entered Nashville traffic, I had a culture shock. We went from relaxing, 50 mph, two lane road, no clenching of teeth or shutting of eyes – to tense, 70 plus mph, 7 lanes on one side, eye closing traffic. On well, back to reality!
We have stopped for the evening north of Nashville and will head to Kentucky tomorrow.
Ron and Sandy

Now for our college man Dusty. I needed something sophisticated, classy and unique. How about this 1954 Kaiser Darrin convertible? The door slides into a pocket in the front fender. You could get into a tight parking place and still get out of your car!

Michael, Michael, Michael. I saw this car - a 1938 MG and could just visualize you cruising the streets with your curls blowing in the breeze. Can't you just see your guitar sitting in the back seat. What a hit you would be!

Now for Brooks. It did not take me long to find the perfect car for our president. You are a "Back to the Future" kind of guy. Check out this 1981 Delorean DMC. The stainless steel would keep you busy polishing!

Katey says she wants a Jaguar. Well how about this 1948 Jaquar Mark IV convertible? The trunk opens out and built into the trunk door is a case of tools to work on the car with! All you have to do is drive it to Papaw's and he can fix it if you have a problem! You would look smashing!

For Caed we could pick nothing else but this 1966 Mustang. You Metz guys really like your Mustangs. This one is even orange and white. Go Longhorns!

Now for Emily we chose this1929 Cord L-29. It is a very classy car for a classy little girl. You would be the envy of all the Bluebonnet 4th graders (and everyone else) if you pulled up in this.

This is the car we picked out for Kira. We thought she would look perfect in thes pink and purple "princess "car. It is a 1932 Nash.

Day 4

This morning before we left Tupelo and continued up the Natchez Trace we went to a car museum. We always have to fit one of those in our trip. As we were walking around we found the perfect car for Kira. As we continued, we picked out special cars for each of our grands. Of course all they get is the picture - but it is the thought that counts - right?

Now because I cannot figure out how to put text under a picture, I am going to include the grands' cars in separate posts. So check out the following posts.

We are still "moseying" and enjoying tour trip. The picture is of Ron getting a little too close to a cave.

Ron and Sandy

Day 3
We leisurely headed out this morning, continuing our trek north on the Natchez Trace.
We enjoy the sites almost as much as the people we meet along the way.
Our first stop was a walkway through a swamp. There was info posted throughout the walk. They talked about vegetation, various trees and ----alligators. It just mentioned that they might be around. I walked carefully from that point on. As we continued on the trail we noticed some folks up ahead. The two young ladies were standing on a bench and the three men were peering into the water. As we came nearer they told us that they were watching about 6 baby alligators. We got closer so that we could see them. Then one of the men said he was at this same place last month and as he was watching the babies, they began to “holler” and the mama came out of the water toward him. He and his son took off –he outran his son! I then understood why the ladies were standing on the bench and I quickly joined them. All was well! We had a good visit with these folks. The photo shows one of the baby alligators.
Our next stop - to go on a nature walk proved to be much more. We had seen several horse trailers on the road and as we pulled into the nature walk spot they were there. But more unusual were the 6 Morgan cars – from England that were parked there. There was even a motorcyclist who got into the mix. The people on the horses were sitting in the cars and some of the drivers were riding the horses. They just happened to be at the same place at the same time. We visited with all these folks for a while. There were touring – in their cars- across the southeastern US. They were eventually headed for New Orleans. The man I talked with said they were not pulling out their Union Jack (symbol of Britain) today (July 4th).
We are staying tonight in Tupelo, MS. We visited the Touched By An Angel Ministry – where we went on a mission trip two years ago. We remembered their wonderful fireworks show and will go tonight --- if the storms end! Yes, we are having storms.
We continue to have a relaxing and enjoyable trip.
Ron and Sandy

Day 2

We arrived in Natchez, Ms around 10:00. One thing we want to do is to travel from the beginning to the end of the Natchez Trace and stop for all (or most) of the sites. My memories of the Natchez Trace come from the late 50's to mid 60's. We -Mom, Daddy, Jim, Shirley and I would travel from Columbus, Ms to Vicksburg, Ms to visit Aunt Dot. What I remember was that we dreaded the road because the speed limit was 50 mph, there were no gas stations (restrooms) and no food! Today I really enjoyed the road because the speed limit was 50 mph, there was very little traffic, and no need for stores because we had our picnic stuff. It is amazing the difference in perspective. For those who do not know, the Natchez Trace is the old road (really a wide path) that runs from Natchez,MS to Nashville,TN. The sites along the old road hold a lot of history and of course for my history buff that is right down his alley. We visited a old restored inn with a park ranger that told story after story about the place. One thing that makes this so interesting to me is that the part we traveled on today runs through the part of Mississippi that ancestors lived in. The old original Trace had worn down so that in some places it has sunk more than 20 feet. The picture is of Ron standing on that road.

We traveled about 120 of the 444 miles today and are looking forward to getting back on the road tomorrow.

Ron and Sandy

No blog because of technology problems yesterday, but we are ok today.

Yesterday we left Lockhart at 9:30 and headed east. We cruised into Brenham at 11:00. We found Blue Bell Creamery just in time for an ice cream "brunch". Ron got cookies and cream and I got blackberry cobbler. That hit the spot!

We covered a lot of ground stopping in Alexandria, LA for the night.

Ron and Sandy