Day 53 - Georgia

Day 53

December 3

Eastman, Georgia

Dear Miss Smith,
     Today we visited the Fallen Star Ranch to see their miniature horses. They are so funny-looking but adorable!

The horses I’ve been around the most have been regular ones which are so much bigger than me as to be somewhat intimidating. But these – they’re so tiny and cute! The boys loved them!

I think if ‘Cilla had been somewhat smaller she would’ve ridden one but as it was we were all a little large so we contented ourselves in watching a group of smaller children ride.

     Well, as ‘Cilla has already mentioned, I have been very busy lately. About a month ago my brother Collin asked his life-long friend Elisabeth Macy to marry him and she said yes (of course)! So there will be a wedding back in Missouri later this month. As it is coming up so soon my parents and I have decided that I should probably go ahead and return home as soon as we’re finished here in Georgia. That way I’ll be home to help with the wedding plans (I’m to be Beth’s maid of honor) in plenty of time before the wedding.  I’ll miss Priscilla and the others but I do think this would be best. I hope to return after the wedding and Christmas.

     The phone is ringing and I see that it’s Mom again so I should probably close this.  I suppose I shall see you pretty soon!

~Amy~

Day 44 - Florida - Postcard

Thanksgiving Day

Postcard

Dear Miss Smith,
   Have you been wondering what happened to me? Yes, I do still exist, even if I haven't been writing much for a while.
  Today was a little strange being the first Thanksgiving day that I have spent without my family but it was fun going on the bike ride and getting to see all of the wildlife. It's so different here! You might not think so, since we're still in the same country and all, but yes, there are huge differences!

~Amy~

Day 38 - Alabama

Day 38

November 18

Montgomery, AL

Dear Miss Smith,

  We made 3 stops today: the first was George Washington Carver’s house at the TuskegeeInstitute, followed by the Tuskegge Human and Civial Rights Multiculural Center. Both were very interesting but I think my favorite place was Priester’s Pecans. I love pecans, so being at that pecan farm was neat!  We got to walk over the farm and then went to the store where they sell all kinds of candy, pies and other gifts having to do with pecans. 

I’ve got quite a collection of candies that I’m sending home (so you folks back there can expect a package soon)… though I must admit, it didn’t all make it into the packages. We indulged ourselves just a bit on some of the stuff and it was delicious!

  I’m sorry this isn’t very long but it’s late and I’m rather more tired than usual, so I shall close this.

Sincerely,

 ~Amy~

P.S. I’m considering tying Priscilla’s hats on top of the RV. They are taking up quite too much space! There are hats everywhere!

Day 34 - Mississippi

Day 34

November 14

Columbus, MS

Dear Miss Smith,

  It was a two hour drive from the park to Columbus and by the time we got there we were all ready to get out of that RV! I don’t mind traveling much but there are times when I just have to get out and MOVE! 

             Have you ever gone shopping with ‘Cilla? I’m telling you, it can be very entertaining and fun.  The first shop we went in was the Three OaksPottery shop.  Talk about gorgeous pottery! Lydia got a beautiful vase for her mom and Natalie found a darling bowl that she’s going to put nick-nacks in.  The potter was a very nice man named Steve Garner. I’m told he learned the art at the Mississippi University for Women… though that fact does puzzle me. Why on earth did he go to the University for Women?

photo courtesy of: http://scientia1.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/salvemos-al-chocolate-pero-no-a-cualquier-precio/

      As we looked at the map of the area we decided to just walk as there were quite a few shops in that area that we wanted to see. So we parked the RV near the first shop on Main Street that we intended to visit and set out on foot. The dogs would have loved to go with us but none of us felt like staying outside at every store so Timber and Penelope were consigned to remain on guard at the RV.  Our first stop was LeGourmet Cheese. We wandered in there out of curiosity and were enthralled! If you’ve ever had gourmet cheese (which, knowing Priscilla, I’m sure you have), you’ll know what I mean! The shop had every kind of cheese you could imagine and, mixed with their delicious meats and bread, it made a superb sandwich for lunch. After our sandwiches we just had to sample their chocolates and Priscilla ended up buying a box for each of us of what ever we wanted! I chose mostly dark chocolates, of course. ;)

     Next stop was the Gumdrop Fabrics & Interiors. Take my advice, Miss Smith, and never enter a fabric store without money to spend. On this particular trip I did have some and so when I found a lovely piece of dark purple cotton I didn't hesitate to cut a length for Mom. So Mom, if you see this, be warned: you're going to have to pull out that sewing machine sometime in the near future!  I also happen to know that Natalie bought some material for her sister Shannon to use for baby clothes (she has two darling little girls). 

 Joy's Flower and Gift Shop was next so we crossed Main Street where the rest of our shopping would be.  Those flowers were so pretty! And there were quite a few pretty little gifts.  

 The next two shops are right beside each other, the first being Savvy Spaces, which includes a lot of little shops. I think my favorite was probably Fashion Accents. I found a darling green dress (which I'll probably wear as a tunic over jeans). I think, though, 'Cilla and both the girls preferred the Resident Chef shop.

 

 

The Purple Elephant was practically next door. I actually didn't get anything there but Priscilla added to her hat collection.  

Lady Diane Hat

 

  By this time we were getting kind of tired but there were two more stores that we wanted to go to so we strolled down to 5th street to Beard's Antiquities.  I love antique stores! I've now added a new tea cup and saucer to my growing collection.  And 'Cilla no longer needs to worry about having to use a penny for her hat. She found a lovely mother-of-pearl hatpin and decided instantly that that would be Mississippi's contribution to her tourist hat. 

   Holly Hocks Gift Shop was the last on our list. Lydia and Natalie each bought something for their families back home and we found some little snacky things. You might be amazed at how hungry a person can get after shopping all day. 

 We're back at the RV now, which we've stopped in a park outside the city. Priscilla and the girls are at the table going over their purchases from the day while I sit on the steps outside with Timber at my feet. I hear them calling me though so I should probably end this letter. 

Sincerely, 

~Amy~

Day 32 - Mississippi

 Day 32

Nov. 12

Gulfport, MS

Dear Miss Smith,

You know, I never thought I could get a sunburn this late in the year... but I assure it IS possible!

Today was a great day to go to ship island: sunny and surprisingly warm. Riding the ferry across we got to see dolphins. They swam right next to us! It reminded me of when I was in California several years ago and saw several dolphins just off the beach. Only this time they were a lot closer!

There weren't many swimmers there but plenty of people were around the island. We got there just a bit before lunch and so found a quiet spot on the beach to have a little picnic with sandwiches we'd brought along. After lunch we ran around on the beach. The dogs loved it! THEY didn't mind swimming even if the rest of us did. We did wade around in the water though.

Then we wandered around the island, exploring the old fort, boats, etc until about mid-afternoon when we headed back on the ferry to get ready for the symphony after supper.

Captain and crew (father and sons)

The story of our trip just wouldn't be the same without the excitement of the return trip. We were at the edge of the ferry, looking out over the water. There was a cool breeze ruffling our hair and skirts. 'Cila was afraid her hat might blow off so she took it off and held it in her hand. I think it might have been safer on her head. Just a few minutes later a larger gust of wind tore it from her hands straight into the water! I'm sure you can imagine how shocked and horrified Priscilla was as she saw her hat floating there in the water! I must admit, I found the situation rather amusing though I couldn't think of allowing it to show!
Thankfully one of the crew members was nearby and fished the hat out of the water with a fishing pole. THAT was when I had to laugh! Imagine seeing that turquoise hat hanging on the end of a fishign line! Pretty fancy fish, I'd say. Thankfully it was relatively unharmed. It was drenched of course but Priscilla has it nearly back to normal by now.

We had supper and then headed to the Symphony . Priscilla and I enjoyed it very much but the girls were so exhausted after the long day on the beach that they were asleep long before it was over. At last we got them back to the RV and now they're fast asleep in bed and I feel like I'm about to be asleep too so I should probably close this before I can't do anymore at all tonight.

Sincerely,
Amy

Day 30 - Mississippi

Day 30

November 10

Jackson, Mississippi

Dear Miss Smith,

We weren’t in too much of a rush to get out this morning, as Jackson is less than an hour from Vicksburg and the sun was out. After the day inside yesterday we were ready to get out into that sunshine. The dogs needed to get out and run off some of their energy anyway. So after breakfast we drove to a park to spend some time moving. Timber and Penelope loved it! Of course I brought Timber’s ball and Frisbees. As you probably know, whenever there is a ball around Penelope practically goes crazy until she has it to play with so she claimed that almost immediately and the girls ran around with her. I can throw a Frisbee farther than I can throw a ball so that was a better activity for Timber. Big dogs don’t do too well in cramped spaces for an extended amount of time. He loved getting to chase that around so much! Priscilla stayed near me, making some last minute plans for this week. After about half an hour or so we loaded everybody up and headed to Jackson.

Our first stop was the Eudora Welty house. She was an author from the ‘30s and 40s and had the cutest house! Perfect for a writer, I’d say. When you first walk in you see a long straight staircase in front of you, alongside the wall. I love staircases! I know some people (my mother included) don’t like having to go up and down stairs but I like them and they add a nice touch to a home. Perhaps it’s the mystery factor of not knowing what is at the top of those stairs. This staircase was simple and straight for the most part but there’s a window at the top that, on sunny days like today, gives the impression of going up into another world, brighter than this.

There were several rooms, all great for a writer.

My favorite spot was the garden outside. You know how I love anything garden- and outdoor-related. But I won’t go into profuse detail about that as I have only a short time before Priscilla comes to go to bed and then I must turn off the light.

It was getting close to lunch time so we had to figure out whether we wanted to find a restaurant in town or fix our own lunch at the RV. We ended up fixing lunch ourselves, it was just easier. We had peanut butter and honey sandwiches (growing up I always preferred honey to jelly and I have thus influenced ‘Cilla. I’m still working on Natalie and Lydia.) Then we went to a nearby ice cream shop and each got an ice cream cone.

We couldn’t possibly go through Jackson without visiting the capitol. It’s the 3^rd capitol building that they’ve had here, built in 1903 though it was redone around 1980. They do say it was kept true to the original building. The top of the dome reaches 180 feet high! One of Priscilla’s favorite parts of that stop was seeing the statue on the grounds erected in memory of Confederate women. After seeing the Governors’ Hall we went up to the 4^th floor to watch the house and senate in session. Have you ever gone in to watch what happens at the capitol? You should, it can be very interesting at times. And then at other times it can be rather boring. Today was so-so, not too boring and not extremely interesting. Pretty informative though.

Right now we’re half way to Natchez, spending the night at an RV park. Lydia and Natalie are in bed and I hear Priscilla coming so I’d better get Timber out of here so we can get to bed.

Sincerely,

~Amy~