Ben and Sue Day 39

Monday, October 15, 2007, Day 39

Weather Flash Alert!  Day 38 of warm, sunny weather.  All records broken from the beginning of weather record keeping!  Outlook is for continued warm, sunny weather in  the mid and western part of the United States until November 6th!

. . .We took the free shuttle today from the camp grounds to dontown New orleans -- specifically to the French Quarter.  Ben good naturedly/patienty waited for me as I shopped.  We had breakfast at a little rstaurant called the Cole Street Grill -- delicious food -- music was very loud New Orleans jazz.  Was fun for a little while to listen to the music.  One thing  they make well here is grits -- Ben has been ordering grits every morning and they always bring a big, hot, delicious bowl.

. . .So. . . after a while we rode the horse and buggy all around the French Quarter -- down the infamous Bourbon Street.  As happened in Baltimore my heart was very burdened with   people who seemed to have no real purpose except to get drunk night night after night.  What a terrible thing for a city to be famous for:  drunkeness.  I went lookin for a T-shirt to bring back with me and every single one I looked at had Bourbon Street on it.      I do believe of course in  the Lord Jesus and take great delight in serving Him and the assurance of eternity with Jesus in Heaven when I die. But perhaps  the very best part of my Chistian journey is that Jesus has given me purpose for my life/hope/a sense of direction  and guidance  to navigate this 'ole body on earth.  Do any of you remember the old cartoon Mr. McGoo?  Mr. McGoo walks through life TOTALLY oblivious to every danger and at the very last second when you just know he is going to die for sure -- circumstances/his path change and he is rescued once again.  I feel certain that must be how my life is -- my wonderful Heavenly Father saving me from a million disasters before they happen.

. . . I'm sort of rambling on here aren't I?  Okay. . . back to our trip today.  On the horse and buggy ride we visited a Catholic cemetary.  What a strange sight.  Because New Orleans is about 6 feet below sea level, they bury people above ground so that, during hurricanes/floods their bodies won't float back up to the  ground.  Or so the buggie driver told us.  He said in very old days the people  thought when dead bodies resurfaced it was because of vodoo.  Kind of gave me  the creeps!

. . . Oh yes he told one other fact too.  He said  there were three ovens in the cemetary where people were cremated.  Once a body is cremated the oven door is not opened for one year.  He did not know why.  Maybe I will have time to research it on the Internet -- if I find out I'll let you know tomorrow.  Oh the things one learns on vacation!

. . . Let's see . . . after the buggy ride we walked a bit more then took an old fashioned steam boat ride on the Mighty Mississippi River . . . was fun.  Learned that New Orleans was the third busiest seaport in the entire world.

. . . On the return trip to  the campground the driver took us down a street named Magazine Street.  He said the street was six miles long and "all six miles consiststed of little shops where you could buy just about anything your heart desires."  Many, probably most, of the buildings were really houses where people lived in the upper part of he house and converted  the lower half into a shop/store.  To my sweet sisters Kathy and Carol:  Let's make that our next vacation spot!  

Tomorrow we sadly leave New Orleans and had towards Denver Colorado where we hope to meet up with a dear friend Ian Thomas and his lovely wife Christina.

. . .Forgot to tell you:  enjoyed jambalaya for dinner today.  Always heard it was a real southern dish but did not really know what it was so I asked:  peices of sausage, beef and shrimp mixed with rice and chopped tiny peppers.  Very good indeed!  

Ben and Sue Day 38

Sunday, October 14, 2007, Day 38

My goodness, my goodness did we have an AWESOME day today!  Ben and I started the  day by going to church -- first Baptist Church of Kennwich.  Was so good to sing familiar songs, hear a good message, and be with like-minded people.  Kind of set the tone for the entire day.

. . .After church Tom  and Julie picked us up and for the next several hours took us all over New Orleans -- showing us and explaining to us so much about the history of New Orleans, the devastation of Katrina, the beautiful antebellum homes, treating us to a delicious dinner at a very old and famous restaurant --  Medinas -- and being the absolute best/kindest tour guides we have ever experienced.  Right away when I saw Julie I knew her because she looked so much like her sister (my friend) Jane back in Washington.  And Tom and Julie both were the most hositable people I have known -- you know how sometimes when you met someone for the first time there is that period of -- kind of awarkwardness -- as you talk and ask questions and get to know one another?  Well it  wasn't like that at all.  From the very first minute both Ben and I felt like we were in the presence of two very genuine people and all four of us talked and laughed quite easily.  It was so cool!

. . . So . . . New Orleans -- Wow!  I believe the one thing that stood out the most here was the determined spirit of the people to rebuild -- to reclaim their beloved and beautiful city.  Yes, there was MUCH destruction and one huge section of the city -- called a Parrish (about the size of a county) which is still completely without water or electricity and no one in that Parrish seemed to be rebuilding -- not even the businesses.  But aside from that one Parrish I saw great hope eveywhere.  Seemed to be that everywhere else there were plain and obvious signs that people were somewhere in the rebuilding process -- from gutting their house/business and rebuilding to completely destroying the structure and starting from the ground all over again.  Businesses were not only having grand re-openings -- they were have grand re-openings with huge signs "Welcome Back -- We're Reopening" and "We Love New Orleans -- Welcome Back" -- often with American flags flying beside the signs.

. . .I know I tend to be overly optimistic and I don't want to paint a rosy -- everything will be fine -- kind of picture.  It will probably be many decades before New Orleans begins to resemble pre-Katrina days.  And from  what Tom and Julie told us -- even now after two years it is still very hard to get workers -- construction people/plumbers/electricians are still in very short supply and if my understanding is correct it takes perhaps several months to get someone to put a new roof on your house -- very much a shortage of workers.  Julie said that in the months following Katrina the trash was 10 to 12 feet high in many places -- was a definite health hazard and surely must have been incredily unsightly.  Today I saw lots of trash outside the houses that were being rebuilt -- but at much more managable levels.  Many, many lots were vacant and only grass was growing where there were once homes.  As we drove down Jefferson Boulevard many huge cranes were woking on repairing the dikes and levees on the lake.

. . . Tom drove us to what is called the French Quarters -- old historic New Orleans.  I especially enjoyed walking there -- listening to the street musicians -- seeing people making/selling crafts/art.  We went to the famous  cafe De Monde for French donuts and coffee -- delicious for sure.  The donuts were sprinkled with powered sugar and when I got some on my black pants Julie said that  was common and everyone would know I had been to the Cafe Du Monde.  There were many people there walking around/taking pictures/enjoying shopping and eating -- a sure sign to me of hope and determination -- the tourism industry is making a comeback -- slowly but progressing just the same.  We saw horses and buggies -- their drivers explaining the French Quarters to those who rode.  After a while we walked up on the banks of the Mississippi River and Julie and I sat for a while enjoying the river and chatting about our childhood while Ben and Tom stood a little ways away also talking together.  Was most pleasant -- the river was calm today and the weather could not have been better.

. . . Over the years my friend Jane has often told me of her deep longing to return to her childhood home of New Orleans -- her family and friends.  I never had any such longing myself so I did not completely understand.  I hope I always listened with attention and compassion.  Well . . . after being here for only two days . . .I can understand so much better Jane's deep longing.  There is something about New Orleans -- difficult to describe -- a deep sense of community -- a strong knowledge of its histrory -- a sense of belonging that I have not experienced anywhere else on our trip.

 . . .Over and over again I am reminded of  that glorious day when we will all be friends in Heaven and there will never again be tearful goodbys.     

Ben and Sue Day 37

Day 37, Saturday, October 13, 2007

. . . One thing about  travelling is hat one never knows what  each day will bring -- one day is as  mundane as the next is exciting. . . We stayed in a hotel last evening in Tusculoosa, Georgia because we couldnot find a camping area for the longest time and we were both  tired.  Was nice in one way because we could have a very long and a very hot shower.  But difficult in that we had  to take everything we needed from the trailer  to the hotel.

. . . So. . . we started out quite early actually -- about 8:30 -- and were on our way to New Orleans.  What an absolutely boring trip it  was!  There was nothing to look at except trees, trees and more trees on both sides of Interstate 59 and often times even the median had thick trees so we cold not see the oncoming traffic.  Just outside of New Orleans we came upon a huge body of water, which, when I got out my trusty map, I discovered was Lake Pontchartrain.  It was quite scary to me because  the highway went right thru the Lake -- not like Lake Washington though,  where you can see across the lake.  As far as I could see was water.  Then there was this steep hill on the bridge -- I could hardly keep my eyes open!

So we mde it across the bridge  and were continuing to folllow Interstate 10 when all of a sudden we saw a policeman standing in the middle of the highway with his motorcyce lights flashing and forcing everyone to exit.  Oh my goodness we had NO idea where to go from there.  But after a while we saw the way to Interstate 10 again -- only again to have a policeman blocking.  Many people were waiting to get back on the Interstate so we just waited too.  After a while on  the interchange above us we saw two large trucks --one carrying a mobile home -- the other carrying some kind of modular unit completely wrapped in plastic.  Both loads were definitely way over size and so we are guessing the police had to re-direct traffic to let them pass.

. . .Anyway . . . after about ten minutes traffic began to move again and all was well.

. . . We arrived at the camp;ground perhaps about 4PM and had to set up and unhitch the trailer from the truck and fix a broken window.  We noticed the window this morning -- not sure if a rock hit it and broke it or if something else happened but we had to take out the broken glass and use cardboard for now and -- of course what else -- duct tape -- NEVER leave home without it!  So we fixed the window the best we could.  It ws just starting to get dark when we drove down Jefferson Highway a little bit.  We saw a few neighborhoods where one house would be all refurbished/rebuilt since Katrina, and people sitting on the porch in a rocking chair -- outside lights on as if to say "welcome home/welcome back".  But  then the very next house next door was still very water and  wind damaged and left to deteriorate these past two years.

. . . I have a very dear friend who lives near me in Monroe Washington and her sister and brother in law live here in New Orleans.  They have so graciously offered to show us around tomorrow and I am surely looking forward to that.

One other thing I just remembered.  We stopped for lunch at a seafood restaurant.  Ben loves seafood and so he ordered crab -- I think he called it a soft crab -- fried and then put in a bun and "dressed" (decked out with lettuce/tomato).  He thought it was pretty funny that the waitress asked him if he wanted his crab "dressed" and had to think about it for a second.  Neither of us had ever heard that before.  Actually the whole meal was pretty difficult for me -- I ordered a chicken salad which actually was pretty good.  But I had  to sit across from Ben who was eating this "dressed" crab and the crab's legs did not fit into the bun but were sticking out from  the bun.  I can eat seafood but definitely don't prefer it -- actually I always thought it was kind of a waste that I grew up in Saugus -- just a few miles north of Boston Massachusetts and don't particularly love seafood.       

Ben and Sue Day 36

Friday, October 12, 2007, Day 36

. . . Most of today was taken up with driving -- we drove from Sweetwater Tennessee to Tuscaloosa Georgia -- about five hours north of New Orleans.  Was another beautiful, warm, sunny day.  Had an opportunity to do a bit of shopping at the restaurant for lunch.  I love it when we stop in a restaurant that has a gift shop!  We saw these incredibly tall Wall Mart and Lowe's signs  today -- Ben estimated  them to be perhaps 300 feet tall -- could see them a very long way off.  Went across one time zone today so now we are in Central  time rather than Eastern  time.  Diesel cost was 2.99 gallon.  Driving East the cost  was progressively cheaper -- very nice indeed -- but of couse now we will be paying more and more.  As I remember gas was costing just at $3 a gallon in Seattle when we left whereas in Virginia it was aout $2.65 gallon.

That's about all  the news for today.   

Ben and Sue Day 35

Thursday, October 11, 2007, Day 35

I am changing things up a bit and trying to put my E-mails as a blind carbon copy from now on as some have asked me to do this.  It has taken me a while to figure out how to do it but I think  have it correct now.  Hope so.

. . .We are much enjoying extra rest and taking our time in the mornings these past couple of days.  The first couple of weeks we were always encouraging one aother to hurry becuse we had so many places to go and people to visit.  But after a while we realized there was no way we were going to be able to visit all the places and people we wanted to and started to enjoy the whole experience so much more.  We are beginning to realize  this trip has given us a good overview of America and on future trips  will take one section of the country at a time.  For example we think the mid Atlantic states would be a good start.

. . . We started out on our merry way towards New Orleans but decided we would stop first at  the Bristol Speedway.  Oheeeee did we have a grand time!  I asked Ben what his favorite time was and he saidwalking up te embankment -- 37 degree grade -- it was hard to walk up and we could not walk all the way to the top.  Just as we arrived a new tour was leaving -- actually Ben and I were  the only ones on the tour and we had a very knowledgeable guide -- she answered all Ben's racing questions and talked  with him a lot about racing.  She actually drove the tour van twice around the 1/4 mile race track -- was fun -- she did go kind of fast.  Then she took us to the owner's private suite -- very plush -- way up high where he and about 50 invited guests could view the race perfectly and out of the elements -- private bathrooms -- lazy boy chairs -- coffee and food all available right there in that private suite.  A bit out of our price range though -- the smallest suite  that seated 15 people cost $16,000 for one season -- ouch!  Then we went to the winners circle and had a look around.  Then we went to the souvenior shop and I strongly encouraged Ben to buy an official NASCAR jacket and he looks really cool in it.  So all of you from Washing be sure  to tell him how cool he looks in it when you see him okay?

So . . . We started on our way about 12:30 -- stoppd soon for lunch -- and drove highway 81 to 75 south to the city of Sweetwater Tennessee.  Not making a lot of headway westward but having a super grand time being together, seeing all kinds of new things, enjoying the warm/sunny weather.  Okay. . . to be perfectly honest it was a bit cooler today -- about 65 degrees most of the day but still sunny!

I remembered something so funny that happened in Virginia.   Ben and I passed a own called Dumfries -- like French fries only Dumfries.  I thought that was a  rater ridiculous name for a city and askd my sister Kathy why the people did not change the name of the city.  She REALLY thought I was joking for a while, but when she realized I was not joking she told me the name of the  town was pronounced Dumfreeze.  Ohhhhhhhhh!  Our son and daughter Benjamin and Kathy are thinking of Concnully just now I am sure!

. . . That's about it for today.         

Ben and Sue Day 34

Wednesday, October 10, 2007, Day 34

. . . Had to say a tearful goodby to my sister Kathy today as she headed off to school to teach her  students U. S. Government.  This time when I visited her she would not let me help her correct her students' papers.  She said last time I was there I pleaded with her to  let me write little notes on the papers such as "good job" and "very nice work" and she would not let me do it because "Sue, these are advanced high school seniors that I teach -- not elementary sudents."  So she would not let me help her correct the papers but she did let me read some of them and I was quite surprised because I'm sure when I was in 12th grade I knew a whole lot more than those students know! 

. . . Wow -- how much I miss here already.  Jeff was so kind to stay and help us finish up hooking up the 5th wheel and getting on the road.  We had AAA make up a trip ticket for us before we left -- but we have altered our original plans so much by now that the  trip ticket is of little use any more.  Jeff studied the map last evening and worked out a good route for us and wrote it all down which was very helpful indeed.

. . .Most of today was taken up with driving.  We drove from Lynchburg, Virginia to Bristol Tennessee.  I am incredibly happy/excited for Ben because tomorrow we are going to stop and tour the Bristol Speedway -- a huge and somewhat famous speedway -- we are only 12 miles away.  It would be SO cool if Ben could actually race around  the track -- not sure but much in hope -- will let you know.

. . . We must have been very tired because  we stopped at 4PM at the KOA in Bristol -- hooked up to water  and electric and came inside to take a nap -- which lasted till 8PM!  When we woke up we enjoyed some delicious enchiladas that Kathy had given us.  That was so wonderful because neither one of us felt like going out to a restaurant once we settled in and then also I did not have to cook -- worked out perfectly!

. . .Saw one cute country sign today just north of Bristol "Farmer Brown Lane". 

Ben and Sue Day 33

Tuesday, October 9, 2007, Day 33

. . . Today was kind of a quiet catch up day.  We are a little more than half way thru our trip now and our trailer needed a bit of tidying up and re-organizing.   So many kind people have given us lovely gifts and we have bought some things we wanted for ourselves along the way plus we had an avalanch of pamphlets and travel brochures from everywhere  we have been.  Oh yes, I forgot to mention garage sales -- we have been to 2 or 3 garage sales -- fun!  So I spent a good amount of time getting our trailer squared away this morning.

. . .My sweet sister Kathy was able to make an appointment for me to have my hair trimmed a bit where she usually gets her hair trimmed.  When we were sitting in the waiting room waiting for the hairdresser to come -- her tiny black poodle jumped up in my lap and was wiggling/moving to beat the band.  But after just a couple of minutes he laid down in my lap and was quiet and I was able to pet him.  I kind of miss our dogs.

. . Okay, so let's see. . I spent a fair amount of time today writing out postcards and was so happy to have  time to do that.

. . .Ben and Jeff visited the D-Day Memorial there in Lynchburg and Ben just enjoyed being with Jeff.

. . . In the evening Kathy and Jeff showed me all around Liberty Baptist Church and school where she teaches.  The buildings are huge and there seemed to be dozens and dozens of classrooms.  The church sanctuary was quite beautiful -- the choir was practicing just as we looked in.  Jeff said  there were about 300 voices in the choir -- must certainly sound beautiful indeed.  The school and college campus along with the church must cover a mile of land -- truly vast.  Both the church and school seemed very inviting -- lots of places to study, to sit and talk with a friend, or just to sit and be alone -- very relaxing atmosphere.  Kathy was telling me that the school is growing by leaps and bounds - if I remember correctly she said this year that had over 500 new students.  Even young people from foreign lands come to finish high school at Liberty and there is hope to build dorm rooms so they can have a boarding school for these foreign students. 

. . .Jeff and Kat and I went to their daughter-in-law Yvonne's for dinner.  She prepared a very delicious meal for us  which included home made pie and ice cream  which I thoroughly enjoyed.  Was fun to see ny neices Angela and Alanis again and  to meet their brother Aiden -- first time I have ever met him.  Ben was not feeling well so he stayed at home.  Would appreciate your prayers for him as he seems to be suffering from more pain than is usual.