Summer in Berrien Springs, Michigan
October 7, 2018
Family was our focus for the latter two-thirds of the summer. Last fall we decided to leave the West and return to the Midwest to be near parents and family. What we didn’t expect when we made our decision was the joy of returning home as grandparents. Babysitting and getting to know Macy Jane was the highlight of our summer. We were both smitten the moment we held her. I know all grandparents feel that way; it is something special.
Family was our focus for the latter two-thirds of the summer. Last fall we decided to leave the West and return to the Midwest to be near parents and family. What we didn’t expect when we made our decision was the joy of returning home as grandparents. Babysitting and getting to know Macy Jane was the highlight of our summer. We were both smitten the moment we held her. I know all grandparents feel that way; it is something special.
A windy walk on the shores of Lake Michigan!
Living in Berrien Springs, presented us with another first. We were in Michigan’s fruit country. Our favorite orchard supplied us with the best peaches, nectarines, pears and apples we had ever experienced. Also for the first time in years, Francie had her fill of fresh Midwest corn.
Side trip to the University of Notre Dame
|
|
The end of September found us saying goodbye to family as we departed Michigan with a half bushel each of Honey Crisp apples and a variety of squash.
Cracker Barrel rest stop neighbor!
Our first stop for the night on our way south was at a Cracker Barrel parking lot in southern Indiana. I am SURE when Francie planned the stop; she was unaware of the Outlet Mall across the street.
Our second stop was Red Bay, AL where our motorhome was manufactured. It is here that one learns the true meaning of the term, “Hurry up and wait!” It is like being “on call” until the moment you leave.
Our second stop was Red Bay, AL where our motorhome was manufactured. It is here that one learns the true meaning of the term, “Hurry up and wait!” It is like being “on call” until the moment you leave.
When we visit Red Bay we always like to make a few side trips in the surrounding area. Did you know that the University of North Alabama has two lions in the middle of their campus? No, they are not statues. It was a discovery we made during a short visit to Florence, AL.
Our other side trip found us at Johnnie’s Drive In, the oldest restaurant in Tupelo, MS. Elvis Presley grew up near Johnnie’s and frequented the place. He even had his own booth. When Francie asked the waitress what we should see in the city, the entire place (6 people) began making suggestions. One of the regulars was a city councilman. Armed with our new knowledge from the friendliest place we have been in a long time, we spent several hours just exploring the city.
Public Art Display in Tupelo
|
Elvis Boyhood Home in Tupelo
|
US Snagboat Montgomery at Tom Bevill Visitor Center
After 8 days in Red Bay with our list of improvements completed, we joyfully drove south and west. Our Army Corp of Engineer site was along the Tenn Tom Waterway, which we had travelled 10 years ago on our sailboat Anam Cara. We rode our bikes to see the Tom Bevill Lock and later went to the visitor center. Watching the barges navigate the river brought back lots of pleasant (and a few fearful) memories of our trip up the river! During our stay at Pickensville, we learned that Aliceville, which is 10 miles away, was the location of a POW camp for German Prisoners.
Waverly Plantation
We also walked the streets of Columbus, Mississippi, discovering a number of beautiful antebellum homes. The Columbus visitor center was the boyhood home of playwright Tennessee Williams. Another jaunt took us to Waverly Plantation another antebellum mansion, circa 1850 which was abandoned in 1913. In 1962 Robert Snow bought the abandoned mansion and renovated it to its original grandeur. Mr. Snow died in March, 2017 at the age of 91. The mansion is up for sale with the hopes that it will once again be restored. If you are interested, the Snow family is asking $2.9 M.
Staircase at Waverly Plantation
Our stay in Pickensville had been extended because Interstate 10 was closed for 80 miles due to damage from Hurricane Michael. We visited Mississippi State University’s Mitchell Library which interestingly houses the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library and The Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana. The University also houses the Wade Clock Museum, Templeton Music Museum and John Grisham Papers Collection, all worth the visit!
Francie with life size statue of Grant at the time he entered the United States Military Academy. Grant eventually grew to 5'8" tall.
A few days later, we drove through the closed section of Interstate 10. At first we could see some fallen trees, but as we drove closer to the area where Michael crossed the highway, the snapped trees littered the ground along with exit signs crumpled like a discarded pieces of paper. Mile after mile we were struck by the devastating power of this hurricane even being numerous miles from where it came ashore.
Hurricane Michael made us revamp our plans, a minor inconvenience. Michael and its predecessor Florence had struck in areas in which we stayed in both the boat and now the RV. We watched the news broadcasts intently, remembering towns which we knew being destroyed, wondering what happened to the people we had met.
Hurricane Michael made us revamp our plans, a minor inconvenience. Michael and its predecessor Florence had struck in areas in which we stayed in both the boat and now the RV. We watched the news broadcasts intently, remembering towns which we knew being destroyed, wondering what happened to the people we had met.