Thanksgiving Road Trip

MLK Museum....so moving.

The Family with "Marshmellow" the alligator....so sweet!

On the muddy Mississippi...in "Nawlins"

The Boys on the Beach in Panama City, Florida

So we conquered 6 states in 7 days. We headed South on Sunday before Thanksgiving and drove through Alabama and into Florida. We stayed in Panama City Beach for 2 nights and enjoyed the BEAUTIFUL white sandy beaches. The water was cool but not too swimmable. The boys are tougher and they got in. I never thought I would miss that "sea" smell but I sure do. It was neat hearing the waves crash again.

From Panama City we headed west and hit Alabama again, Mississippi, and Louisiana. We stayed in New Orleans for 2 nights in the French Quarters. It was a neat town but very risque. We walked down Bourbon St and got off it after a few blocks. It was not impressive just oppressive with the drinking and all. Joel said, "Now I know why a hurricane came through here, to clean it up."

We also saw the Mississippi River, and Ward 9 where Hurricane Katrina did the most damage. After 5 years only 20% of the homes have been repaired. It is quite sad. We also went on a Air Boat ride through the marshes and bayous of Louisiana. We got to hold an alligator and even see a HUGE one on the banks. We learned about how the water is rising and causing ecological damage. It was enlightening and educational.

From New Orleans we went North to Mississippi to visit the Johnson family. We got to see Liz, Aymar, Kathy, Frank, Jason, Mike, Mark, JW, Patty Kay, and all the kids. It was fun catching up and laughing and eating. We played football in the front yard. The boys had a great time.

After Mississippi we headed North to Memphis, Tennessee. That was an interesting city. It too is on the Mississippi river and has so much history. We toured a Slave Haven home. It was so informative about the slaves and how they were treated and how they went about escaping. From there we went over to the Lorraine Motel. This is were Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed. The museum there is well done and so informational. It is so sad that a man who loved so much and had so much to offer ALL of society was terminated. It just seems so sad. Why can't we all just get along?

From Memphis we went East to Nashville, Tennessee. OpryLand was beautiful and impressive. We got to see a LIVE XM radio show at the original Opry House. There was a line up of about 12 performers and at least 8 were Opry Members. Our favorite was Jimmy Waynne. He sings great and has a wonderful testimony. Brad Paisely was the high light of the night.

From Nashville we headed South back "home" to Marietta, GA. It was a great trip and wonderful memories. This land of ours is so gorgeous. We are blessed to be able to see so much of it.