Day 68 - North Carolina

Day 68

December 18

Charlotte, NC

Dear Miss Smith,
    I am sure this won’t be a very long letter as I am yawning already and it is quite late. Everyone has gone to bed except me and I hope to follow them soon.

    Today we visited the Billy Graham Library. It is quite a place, Miss Smith, and you should have seen the bookshelves! But, lest you think this is just a library, it is also a museum, restaurant, and more.
    We started out with a tour of the Graham home were Billy lived from age 9 until he headed off for college. The house is a two-story Colonial house built of bricks and looks like it should be in Williamsburg, or some other such place. But it did have indoor plumbing.

    Our next place to visit was the museum where we discovered so many interesting facts about Billy Graham’s life. This is housed in a large barn-shaped building and the entrance is through a large cross. This building also houses Ruth’s Attic Bookstore which was a lovely place to visit. It was hard not to buy stacks of books, but as you well know, there would be no room in the RV for them. I did buy a book or two and, when the girls weren’t around, I bought them each a necklace for Christmas. But don’t tell them.
    Oh, I forgot to mention that the day before yesterday we stopped by a Christmas Tree farm and purchased a small one for the RV. It smells so lovely, and I bought an ornament from the bookstore.

    Sometime during the middle of the day, I can’t now remember if it was before or after we visited the bookstore, we stopped to eat lunch at the Graham Brothers Dairy Bar. There is nothing quite like a hot lunch on a cold winter day. It was hard to decide just what we wanted, but I ended up with the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and chips, with a homemade cookie for dessert. We ate in a cozy place that looked just like a horse stall only with a table and bench seats instead of straw and a horse.

    Since it is Christmas time, we got to go see the live nativity outside, and after it got dark we took a carriage ride behind some lovely horses, after which we warmed up with hot chocolate before wandering around a little more.
    Then it was time to head back to the RV where we took the dogs for a run and prepared a late supper. Then I cleaned up the kitchenette while the girls took the dogs out once more before bed.
    Now I must head to bed myself, Miss Smith. I have been yawning for the past twenty minutes and I’m afraid I’ll fall asleep right here if I don’t crawl into bed soon.

Sweet dreams,

~Priscilla

Day 65 - North Carolina

Day 65

December 15

Roanoke Island, South Carolina

My Dear Miss Smith,
    Here we are having spent our second day in North Carolina. I am greatly enjoying the time with Katelyn and Kristina though I can’t tell them. The first question I have to ask each morning is who is who and then I’m sure to get them mixed up at least a dozen times a day. I suppose this is what comes when you travel with twins who look so much alike. However, they have both assured me that even their family gets them mixed up now and then. That news has made me feel somewhat better, but still, one likes to know for sure who one is addressing when one speaks.  Perhaps by the time our week of travels in this state are over I will be able to tell them apart. I don’t know if the dogs can tell them apart or not, but Timber and Penelope both adore the girls, and both girls are entirely willing to take the dogs out any time.
    But I must get on with this letter or I will never get it finished. Right now we are parked and supper is just over. Katelyn is washing the dishes and Kristina is drying and putting them away. Or is it the other way around? Oh dear, I can’t tell!
    This morning was quite lovely. Our drive to our first stop wasn’t very long and the sun was shining and the prospect of driving along the Outer Banks once more made us all the more eager to get up early.

    Our first stop of the day was at Kill Devil Hills, otherwise known as Kitty Hawk. Imagine being in the very same place, Miss Smith, as the first people who actually flew! There we were able to walk and see what Orville and Wilbur saw when they came to Kitty Hawk to try their experiment in flight. Of course, there wasn’t any visitor’s center or the Centennial Pavilion back then, and certainly not a full scale bronze replica of the 1903 flier, but still it was the same place. There are several sculptures of people who played an important part in documenting and assisting in that first flight.

John Daniels

Did you know that John Daniels, the man who took the famous photo of the first flight, had never taken a photo before in his life? He worked at the Life-Saving Station on Kill Devil Hills, but his willingness to take a photo has earned him a bronze replica of his action at the park.

1903 Flyer

    The exhibits in the Centennial Pavilion were interesting, showing life size replicas of the first plane, glider and even the Wright brother’s wind tunnel. As much as I enjoy adventure, Miss Smith, I’m not sure I’d have been willing to commit myself to such a flimsy looking contraption. But we enjoyed walking around the 1903 flyer sculpture out on the sandy hill.
    We learned some fascinating facts as we explored the area. Here is one of them. Neil Armstrong carried a piece of cloth and wood from the original 1903 Wright Flyer when he went to the moon. Ah, the far reaching results of that first flight. I’m sure Orville and Wilbur never dreamed of reaching the moon when they were first attempting to fly.

    But, alas, our time at Kitty Hawk had to end after only a few hours and Katelyn, Kristina and I set off for the Roanoke Island Festival Park.

    We were overwhelmed by all the things to do at the park and weren’t sure where to begin. At last, after some talk, we agreed to head first to the Elizabeth II. This ship is a replica of a 1585 English merchant ship. There were seven of them in the voyage to Roanoke that year. I always picture old ships as dull in color, but the Elizabeth II was anything but drab and dull. From the green and white Tudor flag and the red and white Cross of St. George flag on the masts, to the blue, red, white and brown of the ship itself, everything was bright.
We got to try our hand at setting the sails, swabbing the deck and raised the anchor. I even played a game of checkers with a sailor, but I was defeated. Perhaps I should have taken Cousin Zelfred up on his offer to teach me to play checkers when I was ten. Oh, a misspent youth is hard to retrieve.

    Our next stop was the settlement site of the first English settlers on North American soil. A fascinating place it was with the added thought of wonder about what really happened to the colony. The speculations must run riot if one thinks about it too long. Did they all die out? Did they move in with some friendly Indians, inter-marry and forget their English roots? Did they perish in a storm? What ever became of Virginia Dare?

    Moving on (We tried not to spend too much time in any one place as there was so much to see.), we headed over to the Indian Town. There we were able to see two longhouses and actually step inside to see what it would have been like. It was all very fascinating, though our house on wheels suites me more than a longhouse would.

    Miss Smith, you must visit the Roanoke Adventure Museum yourself for it would take me hours to tell you about it. I thought it would just be about the first settlement—the Lost Colony, but it was much more. We learned more about “the graveyard of the Atlantic,” what happened during the Civil War; there were also hands-on experiences (We could even dress up!), displays displays . . . we could have spent hours there had it not been closing time.

Alas, night comes sooner in winter months than summer. Since it was winter they weren’t having their “music in the park” as they do in warmer weather. And we didn’t have time to see the lighthouse, or build a boat in a day or . . . You can be sure that this place is already written down in my file of places to visit again.

    Arriving back at the RV, we were met by two very delighted dogs whom Kristina and Katelyn promptly took for a walk while I prepared supper. Yes, Miss Smith, I did prepare it. Of course it was easy, as we had purchased a few frozen pizzas last week and all I had to do was put them in the oven and cut up some carrots. I do like quick and easy meals if I must prepare them.
    But now the kitchenette is spotless and we are all going to take the dogs for another walk and enjoy some Christmas lights. I find it difficult to believe Christmas is next week.

Farewell until another time,

~Priscilla

Day 58 - South Carolina

Day 58

December 8

Lexington, South Carolina

Dear Miss Smith,
    Our stop today was the Lexington County Museum! It's not actually a museum in the usual sense of the word, but a 7 acre area in the heart of Lexington that consists of 36 historic structures and buildings! The "museum" (It seems weird to call it that, since it's not all contained in one building.) has several restored houses and their outbuildings, barns, a school, and also a post office!The post office is the original Lexington County post office and is believed to have been built around 1790!

Leaphart/Harman House

    After browsing through the exhibits in the main museum building and exhibit hall, we headed outside to the first house, the Leaphart/Harman House. This house was built some around 1800 and has been home to only two families in it's 200 year history. I thought the brick chimney was really cool. It has a diagonal pattern in the bricks! We were told that that diagonal pattern is the last remaining example in the county.
    From there we debated where to head next. Across the street were several houses, the post office and school, while on this side was the John Fox House, the most notable building in the museum, and all it's outbuildings. We ended up deciding to cross the street first.

Corley Log House

    After stopping in the post office and school, we headed to the oldest documented house in Lexington, constructed in 1771: the Corley Log house. The original owner, Laurance Corley, owned the land that became the town of Lexington! The log cabin consisted of one downstairs room and a loft. Wow, I think I would have gone stir crazy in the winter! It was so tiny and not really any windows!

Daniel Koon house

    The Daniel Koon house made me think of a little model house for some reason. I think maybe because of the green shutters and white siding . . . and the fact that it was small. :)

Hazelius House

    The coolest part of the Hazelius house was the corner where you could see evidence of an attempt to set fire to the house by Federal troops in 1865. That, and learning that this house was the location where Charlie Tillman wrote the gospel song "Give Me That Old Time Religion!" :)

John Fox House

    The John Fox House is really a neat looking house, two stories tall with a long porch with white pillars along the front of the house, and a row of windows above the porch roof on the upper story. It was the first building in Lexington County to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house features furniture and other artifacts made in Lexington County that show how the house would have been set up around the middle of the nineteenth century. It has six bedrooms, but originally had more!
    We could have spent more time walking around and taking a closer look at all the outbuildings but instead Priscilla thought it would be a good idea to start the drive to Redcliffe and get part way there.

 We did check out a few of the buildings though before leaving. The Wadlington Pigeon House is a very unique looking building! It's octagonal shape with a peaked roof, and 112 access holes. I guess the octagonal ornamental architecture style was popular in the 1850s, but it's kinda rare to find now. There's only one other pigeon house from that period still known to exist in South Carolina.

    After all that walking, it felt good to sit in the vehicle! Actually it put me to sleep for a while. We're now at an RV park where we'll spend the night. And Priscilla just informed me that she and Susanna are going to take the dogs out, so I think I'll stop writing and join them.

Hope everything is going well there!

-Abigail

Day 56 - Georgia

Day 56

Evening

Dear Miss Smith,
    Since Levi has written you about the Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum, I won’t spend much time on it myself except to say that it was a fascinating place to visit!

    Of course my favorite exhibit was the centerpiece of the museum which was a train. It was an old steam locomotive named “Texas” which was used to pursue the Union raiders who had captured the Confederate locomotive “General” and were steaming away with it. The “Texas” not only pursued them, but also recovered the coveted engine much to the Confederates joy. The story about the raid, pursuit and recapture of the “General” was so interesting that Disney made it into a movie in 1956 called “The Great Locomotive Chase.”

    The other thing worth noting was the purchase of Civil War Rifle Pens for each of the boys, Amy and myself. Mine will go on my hat to add quite a unique touch. Amy has fixed it so that I might pull it out to use should I so desire.

    It is evening now and growing late. We met Susanna and Abigail at the airport, and, since the boys’ planes didn’t leave until a later time, we all enjoyed supper together. It really was quite interesting, Miss Smith, since Abigail is the older sister of Christian, and Susanna is the older sister of Levi. The four of them chattered non stop until the boys boarded their planes for home. And alas, Miss Smith, I had to say good bye to Amy as well. The farewell was touching, for in spite of our extreme differences in character, we had grown quite fond of each other. I will still keep Timber for a few more days before he is picked up. I am grateful to have Susanna and Abigail with me for South Carolina or I would be quite lonely.
    But all is now quiet and I must get some rest.

Must love,

~Priscilla

Day 56 - Georgia

Day 56

December 6

Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Miss Smith,
     We were up and ready to go by 8:00 a.m. We went to the Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum. It was fantastic. This is some of the information I found. The Atlanta Cyclorama is the largest of only three Cycloramas in the U.S.. Overseas there are only sixteen that still exist and they are known as panoramas. A Cycloramas is supposed to give the viewer a 360 degree view. 

The circumference of the painting is 358 ft. and covers 15,030 sq. ft..

The depth of the display is 30 ft. The painting alone weighs more than 10,000 lbs. The tallest figure in the diorama is 3 ft. 

The Cyclorama was painted in 1885-86 by German artists. The shortest figure in the diorama is 17 inches. 

One of the dying soldiers in the diorama is a portrait of the actor Clark Gable.

When we were done looking at the cyclorama we went to the store. Christian and I got a Rifle pen each. Pricilla got a Rifle pen to add to her states hat and Amy got an Atlanta Cyclorama Pin.

Love,

 Levi

Day 54 - Georgia

Note from Miss Smith: This letter must have been delayed in the mail. Sorry.

Day 54

December 4

Fort Benning, Georgia

My Dear Miss Smith,
    We are so busy these days and enjoying the time we are spending here in Georgia. At least Christian, Levi and I are, though I can’t be sure Amy still is since she has been so distracted. At least, now that arrangements have been made for her return home, the last few days should be quieter. Timber will be traveling back with some friends of Amy’s who we will meet in South Carolina. It will be sad to see him go as he has been a wonderful traveling companion for Nellie. Yes, Miss Smith, Penelope is now responding more to the name Nellie then to her real name. I suppose I must not complain for as Amy put it, “She’s too small a dog to carry around such a long name. And she’s so cute, she needs a cuddly sounding name.” As though names could really be cuddly!




    This morning we drove up here to Port Columbus and headed to the museum. Our first stop was the Water Witch which is actually outside between the museum and the highway. This U.S. steamship served a surveying ship in South America before the Civil War. During the War between the States it was a supply ship, mail ship and then became part of the North’s blockade of Savannah, Georgia. However, in a daring raid one night, a group of Confederate Naval forces captured the Water Witch! But alas, Lt. Thomas Pelot, the leader of the raid, and Moses Dallas the new pilot, were both killed. Without the new pilot, the ship had to be kept hidden for months and at last sunk to prevent the Union from recapturing it.

    Inside the museum we were able to see what part of the USS Hartford was like. That was the flag ship of Admiral David Farragut. It was quite fascinating, I assure you. There was a flag collection as well as many other exhibits including the CSS Jackson which is the largest surviving confederate warship! It was captured in Columbus in 1865 by General James Harrison Wilson. Perhaps you recall hearing or reading about Wilson’s Raiders, Miss Smith. This General Wilson was the same man. He ordered it set on fire so the Confederates wouldn’t be able to use it later. The blazing ship drifted for two weeks down the river before it finally sank nearly thirty miles down river. Ninety-five years later the citizens from the area banded together to pull it from the river during the Civil War Centennial. Imagine pulling a ship that had been sunk ninety-five years before, out of the Chattahoochee River!

    After spending the morning at the Naval Museum, we headed to the National Infantry Museum. Yes, we are doing a lot of war things in this state. It’s because we have the boys with us.

    Our first stop at the museum was the Fife & Drum restaurant. The food was delicious! We all enjoyed the Big Benning Burger, Chicken Brie Grape Salad and the Infantry Chili Cheese Fries. Miss Smith, those Infantry Chili Cheese Fries were the best any of us had ever had.

    Once we had fortified ourselves we started our tour. First stop: Last 100 Yards. The life-size dioramas took us from Yorktown, to Antietam, Normandy to Iraq; we crossed Burnside Bridge where the Confederate soldiers held back the Union longer than anyone expected. Above our heads a WWII troop glider hung. We saw the D-Day landing, a Huey helicopter during the Vietnam war, a damaged Bradley Fighting vehicle along a bombed road in Iraq. The entire thing was incredible! We were all awestruck and even Levi was silent. An event that rarely happens.
    We found out that the figures in the scenes were not just mannequins; they are actually sculptures of real active duty soldiers who auditioned to be the ones to represent their fellow soldiers.
    A loud and somewhat intimidating drill sergeant’s voice pulled us into the Fort Benning gallery. That was the place that loosened Levi’s tongue again!

    It would take me much too long to try and describe all the places and scenes we saw at the museum. One place that I have never seen before in a war museum was an entire gallery honoring the families of our military. It was quite refreshing to see that here at least, those who stay at home and wait are remembered and honored. Tell Bekah that if she ever comes to Georgia, she should do a book signing of her book “Home Fires of the Great War” here in the Soldier’s Store. It would fit right in.

    One other place I must tell you about the World War Two Company Street. During the second world war Fort Benning had to expand rapidly to meed the growing demands of building a larger military. It was then that the “series 700” buildings were built. They were intended to last only as long as the war; however, they proved to be so well built and so solid that it wasn’t until the 90s that they began dismantling them. The Museum was able to rescue one of each kind of building. They even have the headquarters used by General George S. Patton before he was deployed to North Africa.

    It has been a busy day and I am quite tired. The boys have gone to bed and even Amy has quit packing. She still has two more days before she leaves. Now I must get to bed. Tomorrow we drive up to Fort Tyler.

Love,

~Priscilla

Day 49 - Florida

Day 49

November 29

White Springs, FL

Dear Miss Smith,
          Today we spent a whole day at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park near the Suwannee River. We almost got lost trying to find our way there, we all tried to find where we were to go but soon we had to admit that we were lost, I will tell you this though, we really enjoyed trying to find our way there.

Suwannee River

 Anyway,  we did arrive and we rented some bikes and took the dogs with us down the trial. The trail is not more 70 miles, but as you can guess, we did not go all the way there and back. We enjoyed the splendor of it all, the trees full of chattering squirrels, and the birds calling to one another.   It actually wasn’t that cold and it wasn’t that hot, with a gentle breeze brushing our faces.


 We decided to go the Stephen C. Foster Museum hisorical place and see the desk where Stephen C. Foster finished writing the song, "Old Folks at Home." He actually never saw the Suwannee River, but he needed a two-syllable word, so a friend told him to use the Suwannee River.

Bell Tower

            We then listened to a concert of bells playing some of Stephen Foster's songs. It was actually quite lovely. 

            Also we went to a gift shop with one-of-a-kind things inside, like baskets, purses, children’s toys, jewelry, Leather works, and a few blacksmith stuff. Grace exclaimed that the purses were exquisite, Amy admired the artwork of the many workers, and I ought a beautiful woodwork with wolves. Personally, I like wolves, so it fit me. Grace bought a pink purse with a gold chain. Priscilla decided that she didn’t need any more hats so she didn’t buy anymore. I couldn’t believe that some many things were handmade, though, many of the workers there were experienced and stuff, so I guess, they could make such lovely things.

We are heading for home now, We have said goodbye to Amy and Priscilla, and they promised Grace that they would ship her six purses to her. The things I bought weren’t many so I just packed them into my bag. I can’t wait till I am home again!

Sincerely yours,

Mikayla

Day 39 - Alabama

Day 39

Nov. 19

Dauphin Island, AL

Dear Miss Smith,
We got up today and after breakfast first thing, Miss Priscilla said I could wear one of her hats. Priscilla has a bunch of hats so it was hard to choose from them all, but I finally choose Lady Diane.

We then drove to Mobile the city where the Conde-Charlotte Museum House (also known as the house of five flags) is.

Five flags have flown over this house- French, English, Spanish, American & Confederate

The house was very interesting it had French rooms,

French

English rooms,

British

and confederate rooms.

Confederate

We decided to take one of the 45 minute tours so we could learn as much as possible. Elizabeth’s and my favorite rooms were the confederate rooms because they were decorated with our favorite color pink.






We had a quick lunch and then drove to USS Alabama.

The USS Alabama was used during WW2. Did you know Miss Smith that the USS Alabama is 680 feet long? We walked on the decks. It was huge. We also saw the aircraft collection. They had tons of planes there. We saw the mess hall, and pavilion. My favorite thing that we did today was walking on the decks.

We then drove to the Dauphin House Bed & Breakfast

where we’re spending the night. I made Miss Priscilla the promised homemade bread today. It turned out pretty good. It’s getting late I guess I better get some sleep.      

Sincerely,

Susanna

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 36 - Alabama

Day 36

Nov. 16

Calera, Alabama

My Dearest Miss Smith,
    Oh, what a day this has been! So much to tell you of and not nearly enough time to tell about it; however, I’ll do the best I can.
    It has been delightful to have Susanna and Elizabeth along with us for this state since we just had their little sisters for the last one. Susanna said that she had written to Miss Sarah and asked her to share the letter with you, so I do hope you have gotten to read about our first day here in Alabama.
    This morning started out early with breakfast with Josh and Anna. Their three adorable children were all still asleep when we left. Since our first adventure started before sunrise, we had to leave extra early. It was quite thoughtful of Josh and Anna to get up that early just to fix us breakfast. Amy drove to Birmingham where we headed for our hot air balloon ride!

    We were all much excited to be able to ride in a balloon over the Alabama countryside. Not one of us had ever ridden in a balloon before, so all were slightly nervous. We watched as the crew inflated the balloon and, as it began to gradually take shape instead of being just a colorful, flat fabric on the ground, our excitement grew. The dogs, not being allowed to join us for very good reasons, remained behind in the RV. As we all climbed aboard the basket, one of the crew looked at my hat and asked if it was secure. I assured him I had a hat pin in it, and he shrugged.

    Miss Smith, I cannot describe to you the thrill which ran through me as we began our assent. Susanna and Elizabeth were clinging together and practically shaking with excitement. I’m afraid Amy was the only calm one there besides the crew. Up we went, higher and higher. It was so quiet up there that we all felt like whispering. Oh, just to drift along with the breeze far above the land was a sensation I’ll remember forever.

The other thing I’m not likely to forget is the strong gust of wind which came along quite suddenly and unexpectedly.

Farewell Cream Creation

    I was wearing my Cream Creation hat and I had put in a hat pin, but in my excitement I must not have pushed the pin through my hair for alas, alas, when that wind came along, off sailed my hat through the air out of reach, and we could do nothing as we watched it fall, fall, fall, until it was out of sight. As you can imagine I was nearly devastated for I have had that hat for years and it was so quaint. Amy offered comfort for my loss by remarking, quite cheerfully, that perhaps it dropped on the head of a cow who wore it home and some little girl found it. Ah, perhaps that is so. I will at least hope so, for to think of that Cream Creation dangling from a tree branch to be soaked by rain, torn by waving branches, gnawed on by curious creatures and at last destroyed beyond repair by the ravages of the coming winter is a thought too dreadful to consider.
    The rest of the ride was just as enjoyable though I was still a trifle saddened by my loss. Many were the sighs as our balloon finally touched our basket to the earth once more.

    After bidding the crew goodbye and taking the dogs for a quick run, we again headed out for more adventure. I drove this time as we headed south to Calera to experience the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum.
    We were the only ones at the Museum and enjoyed a leisurely look around. It was fascinating to see the switchboard, telegraph, signal lights and other items used in railroading. Then the most exciting part of the day came for me. It even made up for my lost hat, though I shall miss it.

    As the four of us were walking out to the steam train to climb aboard and enjoy our ride, the engineer looked us over and said, “Would any of you like to learn to drive this train?”
    Miss Smith, I was perfectly speechless for several minutes while I stared at the engineer in blank astonishment. Could he really be talking to us and did he really mean it?
    Amy jerked her thumb in my direction and replied, “She would.”
    Somehow I managed to mumble, “Would I like to drive a train? You’re not joking?”
    “No, Ma’am. Since ya’ll are the only ones here, an’ different times through the year we give lessons in driving this engine, I thought one of you’d like ta try it.”
    “Would I ever!” I exclaimed, fairly bursting with excitement. Imagine, me, driving a train! “What do I do first?”
    The brakeman came over and after looking me over said, “You’ll need closed-toe shoes, long pants, a long sleeve shirt and a hat--” His gazed stopped at my hat for I was wearing my “white wings” hat.

"White Wings"

    Amy told me to borrow a pair of her overalls and she’d go buy me a train hat from the gift shop. So, as she, Susanna and Elizabeth hurried in one direction, I hurried in the other and we all soon returned. I do wish you could have seen me, Miss Smith. I was told I was a regular “Casey Jones.”

    Oh the delights of the gauges and gadgets, the levers and switches, the bells and whistles. I never knew there was so much to driving a steam train. I had to take on water and coal and then, oh joy! I drove the train! Of course the real engineer and brakeman were with me, but it was me, Priscilla De Silvosa, who drove #75 down the track! I thrill to my very toes when I recall those proud moments. It was a dream come true which I never thought in all my years would happen.

    There is nothing quite like the comfort and ease of traveling by train, Miss Smith. Even the glorious flight in a hot air balloon cannot equal a train. Amy disagrees with me and says that a large pickup truck is the best way of traveling. Imagine! Sometimes I almost despair of her ever learning the finer refinements of the past. As for Elizabeth and Susanna, they took neither side but seemed to enjoyed the train ride as they had the hot air balloon.
    After my wonderful, never to be forgotten trip was over, and I had slowly climbed down from the engine, and waved a final farewell to the engineer and brakeman, the four of us wandered about the gift shop a little longer.

    We all agreed to drive a little ways before supper, and since I was still rather giddy with the excitement of actually driving a train, Amy begged to drive, and I let her. The younger girls chattered almost non stop about the day as we drove. As our stomachs began to rumble with hunger, Amy turned into an RV park for the night.
    Susanna and Elizabeth made supper all by themselves while Amy rode her bike and gave Timber a chance to run and I walked Penelope at a slower pace. The meal was ready when we returned and quite delicious I might add. Susanna has promised to bake bread for us later on. Fresh bread, Miss Smith! What a treat that will be!
    And now I suppose I should join the others in the bedroom and get some sleep. Timber and Penelope are already asleep curled up beside each other near my feet.
    Good night, Miss Smith. I’m sure another adventure awaits us just beyond the next sunrise.

~Priscilla

Day 33 - Mississippi

 Day 33

Nov. 13

Clarkco, MS

My Dear Miss Smith,
    I realize that I wrote a letter to you last night, but Amy said that if I would write you this evening, she would write you tomorrow.

    It has been a lovely day. We got on the road early in spite of the lateness of the preceding night. Our first stop of the day was in Biloxi to see the last home of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America. The house was shrouded in a light fog when we arrived, but that quickly burned off when the sun came up a little more. We all loved the outside of the house with its pillars and high veranda. Inside was just as lovely. The house is called “Beauvoir” which is French for beautiful view because the third owner of this house loved the view of the Mississippi Sound from the front porch. I had wondered why it had that name.

    There is a statue of Jefferson Davis with his son Joseph and another boy, Jim Limber behind the house. I believe it was dedicated in 2010.

    After spending much time wandering around the gift shop, we purchased a few things and then went on our way. Each of us now has a penny with Jefferson Davis’ head on it instead of Lincoln’s. I’m contemplating the idea of attaching a pin to the back of mine and adding it to my 50-States hat. I have not decided for sure, however.


    Heading on, our next stop was just north of Lucedale. There we visited the Palestine Gardens.

Oh, Miss Smith, everyone of us enjoyed this stop immensely. The gardens are a miniature replica of the Holy Land. It is a one yard/one mile scale and we were able to see the Dead Sea, Bethlehem and Jerusalem and took a journey to Ceasarea Philippi.
Getting to see what everything looked like, the hills, the streets, the walls around the cities, all made the Bible much more real. There has been a lot of hard work put into this garden and it was well worth our visit. I’m sure we could have remained there much longer, but we had to continue our trip.

    It was several hours later before we reached Clarkco State Park where we had decided to spend the night. It is near Quitman, if you would like to find it on your map. Oh, it is a lovely place. Quiet and peaceful after the noise of the cities. There is a lake and our RV is parked under tall trees.

It wasn’t quite dark when we arrived and everyone was glad to get out of the RV. The dogs were no exception. We have been so busy in cities that this place is a delightful retreat.

    We all agreed to build a fire and roast hot dogs for supper with s’mores afterwards for dessert. It was chilly, so warm jackets were welcome. Penelope couldn’t decide if she wanted to lie down beside Lydia and Natalie or over near me. There was no indecision with Timber; he was overjoyed to be outside with Amy once more.
    Now I have retired to the RV to write as the light of the dying campfire is not bright enough to see. It was with a great deal of giggling and excitement that Amy, Natalie and Lydia came in to get warmer jackets and for Amy to get one of our lanterns. They said they were going to go for a walk with the dogs. I have no fear for them since Timber went along, and I imagine it will be a while before they come back for the novelty of such a walk in the dark with only the light of a lantern will no doubt keep them energized for some time.

    Now, Miss Smith, how are things back home? Is Bekah helping you at all? Are the dogs doing all right without me? I do hope Patches and Perky are staying out of trouble. You haven’t re-organized all my books again, have you? I know I will be gone for a year, but how I will ever find my books on my return remains to be seen. Amy tells me that Bekah had told her that for each state we visit, you post the map of it on the bulletin board and put a colored pin in each place we visit. That is a charming idea and I wish I had a place to do that here. I will just keep my notebooks going, however. I have a feeling they will be full long before we complete our trip. If that is so, I will simply mail them to you to be filed until my return and create new ones.
    But I am growing sleepy. The girls and dogs have not returned yet, but I am going to retire. I’m sure I will hear all about their adventures in the morning. Sleep well, Miss Smith.

With love,

~Priscilla