Getting Moldy

Tuesday's drive...

If you're ever in Meridian, MS, I would not recommend the Quality Inn!  Actually, I would not recommend being in Meridian, MS, but just in case...I was glad for the shelter from the storm, but to say it was less than deluxe...Not only did the air unit sound like an oncoming train, but the air belching forth smelled like feet.

Best place name along the way - Tallapoosa, AL.  Reminded me of the names given to designer dogs that are created from cross-breeding - Labradoodle, Schnitzelplatz (ok, maybe not that second one).

Worst traffic and drivers - Atlanta area.  Yeesh!  7 lanes of crazy traffic and drivers who do not have the merge gene.  I felt sure I'd be "flattened like a hapless fence lizard under a buffalo stampede."  (I plagiarized that quote from a friend...you know who you are.)  Very glad to get through that area in one piece.

Best water tower - This giant peach along the highway in NC.  Ranks up there with the "World's Largest Pistachio" in NM.

Best state welcome sign - GA.  But you'll have to go there and see it for yourself.  There was no way to safely get a pic, so I had to settle for the boring one at the welcome center.

I saw this beautiful, early morning sky just after getting to AL. 

There was hope...that was soon dashed as the rains returned.  Nothing like the deluge of the day before, but still wet and windy.  When I reached SC, there were actually a few breaks in the clouds...and bits of blue sky!  As it gradually cleared and the sun came out, I felt as the ancients must have during an eclipse.  A sign of something unknown and possibly terrifying!

It stayed dry until I reached a few sprinkles in NC, some 13 hours later.  This time, tho, I was behind most of the rain so it did not present any problems on the road.  The last 90 minutes or so from Charlotte, NC to my hotel seemed endless.  The payoff - a nice room at the LaQuinta here in Apex, and a reunion with Teresa!

We have been friends since our days in New Orleans as legal secretaries.  That was some time in the late '70s.  We've shared many smiles (and some tears), many adventures and silly Scrabble games over the years, and have remained close friends.  She knows the worst of me (and even knows my family) and somehow, still likes me.  I am blessed!

It is now Wednesday morning and the sun is making a return.  Woohoo!  It's a good thing, because I was beginning to feel like one of these...

'shrooms

 I found a pretty, paved path to walk near the hotel and it felt great to get out and move around.  I met this little guy along the trail...

Box turtle

Off with Teresa to the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh!

Getting Marooned in Meridian

Despite the rainy weather, Kelly and I had a very nice time at TJ's wedding Sunday night (my nephew).  The venue was a beautiful country club in Hattiesburg, MS.  It was small and intimate, with many lovely details.  Bride and groom were beaming.

Andrea & TJ

Kelly & Mary

Back to Jackson this morning to deliver Kelly to the airport.  Still raining.  And raining.  And windy.   We saw a lot of water along Hwy 49, as well as several homes and business that had been flooded.   I was certain that Kelly's flight would not leave on time, if at all.  Shows how much I know.  I hated sending her off to that plane as I watched the rain come down in sheets and the trees bend in the wind.  She did arrive home safely...wishing I were there.

Along Hwy 49,

N of Hattiesburg

I have been driving in rain since Saturday.  Today has been the worst by far.  Heading east toward Meridian, MS, I encountered high winds and blinding rain.  At times, I felt sure the Jeep would hydroplane.  After white-knuckling it to Meridian, I stopped for a break and to check the forecasts.  Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA - areas through which I was supposed to drive today, are getting slammed.  There have been tornadoes sighted near Atlanta as the rain continues to pour. 

As much as I hated to do it, I am now hiding out at the Quality Inn at Meridian.  I could not drive one more mile in that downpour.  The rain just keeps coming.  If heading north would have gotten me out of it quickly, I would have high-tailed it for IL.  But here I sit.  I will stay put until the morning, at which time I'll decide how to proceed.  It will be terribly disappointing to have to scrap the rest of my plans, but that is preferable to being on the road in this dangerous weather.

I guess my road-trip weather Karma has taken a turn for the worse...

Getting Soaked

Day 2 of the southern adventure...

Grenada Lake was much larger than expected, and quite pretty.  A scenic road winds through pine forest on the way to the lake - another way to know you're in the south - KUDZU!

I stopped at the very nice Grenada Lake Visitor Ceneter, and asked about hiking trails.  The young woman behind the counter, and the two male park workers, were incredulous:

"You want to HIKE?!"  Uh, yeah. 

"OK, well there's the Lost Bluff trail but it's really hard."

" And there's snakes."

" It will really challenge you."

" Do you have hiking sticks?"

" There are some really steep areas."

After several more warnings, I finally got some directions and headed to the trail.  It was a very pretty hike through the woods, a nice view of the river, and some nearly indecipherable trail signs (good thing it was a loop).  It reminded me a bit of Starved Rock, without the canyons.  There were some steep wooden stairs - those always seem harder to me than just climbing a slope.  Elevation change was not nearly what I encounter out west, but it was liking hiking upstairs in a sauna!

           

Trail marker?

The lake photo will show that today started out rather sunny...but became overcast and deteriorated from there (more on that later).

I found my way to an old Confederate cemetery.  Amazing to see all of these headstones belonging to "Unknown Confederate Soldier."  I wonder how many of them were about 14 years old?  I saw more of these at another cemetery later in the day in Jackson - but despite wandering around and around in the rain, I could not find the grave of writer Eudora Welty.  That info was written up in several brochures, but once at the cemetery there was no info at all on where to find it. What?

After a much-needed shower back at the hotel (yes, Peg, I was a total sweatball), I went to the nearby Walmart.  Mostly killing time...and discovered I was about the only person not wearing some kind of camouflage!  There were couples wearing matching camo outfits, whole families, little kids, big kids.  Is it "National Wear Camouflage Day" or something?  I turned a corner and, OMG, even the scarecrows were wearing camouflage!!!

Just north of Jackson, I paid a visit to the Mississippi Artists Craft Store.  Wow!  A gorgeous building filled with fabulous art - quilts, baskets, glass, jewelry, fiber, wood and metal.  Teresa R and I actually saw this place years ago, when it was in a much smaller building along the Natchez Trace.  A very pleasant diversion - and a way to get out of the rain.

It was then time to head down to Jackson to meet Kelly at the airport.  Or so I thought...her 3:30 flight was delayed.  And delayed again.  I was running out of things to do in Jackson, it was now raining and windy, and she was stuck at Midway Airport.  We finally decided we would spend the night in Jackson, rather than make the 90 mile drive to Hattiesburg in the dark and rain (still not knowing when she'd actually arrive).  A relief for me to have a place to go - the Quality Inn near the airport.  Kelly should be in sometime after 8 pm, and we'll make the drive to Hattiesburg on Sunday morning.

Ahhh, Dixie...



Getting on the Road Again

ALL IN A DAY'S DRIVE...

Soooo...on my way down south to attend my nephew's wedding on Sunday - in Hattiesburg, MS.  Friday's drive was long and boring, but not nearly as long as my marathon drives to AZ.  Not nearly as interesting, either.  Despite intensive study of maps and guidebooks, I could not find one point of interest along the way.  I was grateful for the good weather - only a few raindrops coming through Memphis (yes, I did the Graceland thing years ago).  Hot and muggy but hey, it's the south!

A very long time ago when I was an account exec for ADP, my "territory" was LA, MS, parts of AR and TN.  Many of these places are familiar (such as Okolona, MS and Rector, AR) and also places I never thought I'd see again.  Rector - how's that for a name?  I clearly remember installing a small computer system in the local GMC truck dealership, and several townsfolk - including the mailman, stopped by to watch!  "Hey, thar's a GIRL settin' up that computer system over at the truck store!"

You know you're in the south when you see armadillo roadkill!

It was a pleasant enough evening at the Quality Inn of Grenada, MS.  Looking for things to do for Saturday morning...maybe even a hike near Grenada Lake? 



Getting Heated Up

My last blog for this trip, as I head home later today.  Being gone for 3 weeks sometimes feels like forever, and also feels like a blink in time.  Perhaps I'm skipping town at the right time - will be 115 (yes, that's 115 degrees!) in Phoenix today, which means about 100 here in Sedona.  If I were lying by the pool, I wouldn't care one bit. 

It has been busy and wonderful, as always.  Last Friday, I braved the heat and traveled early to the big city.  I was at the Desert Botanical Garden by 8 a.m., and it was already hot.  Despite temps of 97 in the shade, I enjoyed wandering around and seeing the amazing cacti in bloom.  The birds were busily feeding on the fruits of some, and the flowers of others provided a feast for the eyes.  Such amazing plants - all those thorns and stickers and crazy shapes, and some of the most beautiful flowers ever!

Don't know the exact type on this one...

Another unknown, but what amazing color!

    This cactus blooms at night -                              

getting there early a.m. provided the chance to see the flowers

 before they closed up for the day.  Gorgeous!             

Met a charming fellow named Charlie - in his 80's and is a Docent at the garden 3 days per week.  He knew his stuff and loved sharing that knowledge.  I am grateful that he pointed out a beautiful Costa's Hummingbird in a tree along the path.  I would have walked right by and missed my chance.  He was preening (the bird, not Charlie) and when he moved his head you could see the brilliant purple gorget.  Wow!  Charlie later showed me an area under some giant cactus where the Desert Tortoise hides from the heat of the day.  I'll have to return some evening in hopes of seeing one emerge from his burrow.

Charlie also told me that there will be another Dale Chihuly glass exhibit at the garden in 2014.  The previous one a few years ago was absolutely breathtaking.  Something to plan for!

White-winged doves were feasting on cactus fruit

On my way back north from Phoenix, I made a stop at the Old West Cactus Farm in Anthem.  Amazing variety of cacti in every direction!  I will definitely be back when I am ready to plant my very own cacti at the house.  I can imagine that planting cacti might not be the easiest gardening job, but once they are established - that's it!

Row upon row of Golden Barrel Cactus

My last weekend in town was spent hiking, sunning at the pool and generally indulging in sloth and gluttony.  I went out to Boynton Canyon yesterday for an easy hike on the Fay Canyon Trail.  I decided to look for a geocache buried high on the canyon slopes.  Was quite the climb up (lots of loose rocks and stickery things), but I found the cache and also found an amazing spot to sit and enjoy the view and solitude.  Of course, on the way down I realized I had taken the more difficult route up, but that's ok.  It was worth it!  (I can say that because I suffered only minor scratches and one poke from a yucca.)

I will definitely come back to this spot again!

It will be good to get home to my family, friends, and Otis.  I have missed you all.  Thanks for keeping me company along the way.  Look forward to catching up with everyone.

Getting Aromatherapy

If you can't stand another blog about wildflowers...stop now.  Ok, you've been warned.

Another fabulous hike at West Fork in Oak Creek Canyon yesterday.  Those of you who have hiked this special place with me know how amazing it is.  Those of you who have not...well, what are you waiting for?

The easy, 6.8 mile (round trip) trail is bordered by towering Coconino Sandstone walls, about 270 million years old.  Wildflowers and ferns line the trail through a mixed deciduous and conifer forest.  The towering Ponderosa pines provide lots of shade.  I'm sure I'm known for sticking my nose into lots of places...it is such a treat to stick one's nose into a crevice on Ponderose pine bark to breathe in the heavenly vanilla scent.  Yes, the cinammon colored pine bark smells like vanilla.  Aaaahhhh.

I counted 16 different wildflower types that I can identify, and many more still to learn.  The trail was lined with Arizona Lupine, Spiderwort (ranging from light pinks to deep indigo), Monkshood, Wild Geranium and Cranesbill; the edges of the creek abounded with Golden Columbine, Yellow and Crimson Monkeyflowers.  Spotted at least 6 types of butterflies, countless dragon- and damselflies.  Not too many birds around other than the usual suspects - robins, black phoebes, ravens, a few hummers, and the always bold Steller's jays.

Arizona Lupine

Mountain Gromwell (a new one for me)

Monkshood

Crimson Monkeyflower - growing sideways

from a rock wall

After 15 creek crossings, the official trail ends in the creek.  I brought my water shoes and continued on for another 1/2 mile or so (I think it actually goes another 6 miles).  I love this part, as the canyon walls close in, the only sounds are water and breeze.  Few people wade thru, so it is easy to leave behind all semblance of civilization. I was up the creek without a paddle - but had my trusty Teva water shoes!

           Wading upstream

Swallowtail

Flame Skimmer Dragonfly      

I hope I someday have the chance to share this gorgeous place with many of my dear friends.  But be warned, I'll make you stick your nose in that pine bark.  :)

Happy Trails!

                          

                              



Getting Elevated

On Saturday, I decided to try a new hike in Flagstaff.  I knew that it would be a climb...no kidding!  I headed up the Mt. Elden Lookout Trail, with the goal of reaching the top where there is a fire tower. 

I huffed and I puffed and I kept going up.. and up...and up.  I soon realized that even though I had lots of water, I had forgotten my snacks in the car.  Rats! 

Looks easy enough at the start...

I stopped in the shade for a rest, and was joined by a local guy.  While we chatted, he pulled out a frozen Snickers bar and started chowing down.  I didn't know whether to cry - or attack him and try to steal that candy bar! Had to settle for some gulps of water.

View from about 7200'

The views were great, but I realized I was not going to make it to the top.  The higher I went, the tighter and steeper the switchbacks became and I knew when I'd had enough.  I kept going until the altimeter on my watch showed 8000 feet, and that was my turn-around point.  It was a great hike on a beautiful AZ day...and perhaps I'll try it again some time. 

Rocky and steep!