Road Trip and Pancakes

 

After recovering from all the July Fourth festivities, we found things returning back to normal by last Monday morning.  A visit to the dentist for a checkup was the high point of the day.  While sitting on the porch later that afternoon, I asked Wanda what was on the agenda for the rest of the week.  Her answer was “not much”.

I told her to grab some clothes and get the Casita ready for departure on Tuesday.  When she asked where we were going, I told her Mandeville, LA.  Fontainebleau State Park, to be exact.  Home of the Tammany Trace bike trail, and some wonderful seafood.  Mandeville is an old town that sits on the North shore of Lake Pontchartrain. It has a beautiful lakefront area with many old homes built by the aristocracy of old New Orleans.

No Casita pictures, but this pretty much sums up what Sally did for the three days we were there.

I did a couple of rides on the trail,  fifteen miles round trip one day, and about eighteen miles the next.  Plenty far enough for an old man.  A beautiful trail through many different landscapes.

We called up some friends that live in the area, and along with them, we managed to enjoy fried fish, boiled shrimp, oysters on the half shell, chargrilled oysters, and my favorite, boiled crabs. Not all at once, thankfully, but over the three days.

Back home by noon Friday.

This morning the Exchange Club cooked pancakes for Camp Sunshine.  Camp Sunshine is an annual Summer Camp, held for the physically and mentally challenged of Southwest Mississippi.  Sponsored by our local Junior Auxiliary, the event is held every year in our  state park group camping area.  I’m not sure how long it’s been going on, but I know our two girls were counselors while in high school. Each camper is paired with a counselor for the five days of the camp.  They spend each day joined at the hip, so to speak, enjoying fishing, swimming, dancing, singing, and whatever else brings joy to the campers.  I borrowed this photo from our local newspaper.

The rest of these photo’s were taken by a friend this morning.  We cooked pancakes and sausage for around two hundred fifty campers, counselors, and staff.

A fun time for all of us.

 

Working on plans for next week……jc

Happy Birthday, America!

 

There hasn’t been much happening in our world lately that would be considered travel blog material.

Just normal everyday living.  Doing a few chores for an elderly aunt and uncle, cutting grass, picking and putting up Summer’s bounty, etc.  We have been doing a little car shopping for Wanda.  We haven’t been real pleased with her vehicle from day one, and might be working on a change.

We managed a road trip to Baton Rouge last Saturday for the day.  Made our first visit to a Trader Joe’s.  A neat little store with lots of stuff designed to part you with your money.  No, we didn’t leave with a any “Two (or Four) Buck Chuck.”

As for the holiday itself, we’ll be close to home.  Our little lane is proudly displaying the Colors of Independence.  The neighbors are hosting the annual Fourth of July picnic, and the flags are flying.  There will be the normal burgers and hotdogs, along with slow cooked brisket and pork.  Watermelons, and homemade ice cream.  Red velvet cake, and blueberry pies. It’s amazing the food that appears at a Southern get-to-gather.

Though I would like to be posting this blog from someplace like Idaho or Montana, there are benefits to being home for the Fourth……..jc

Why Go Home??

 

Why not stay here?

That’s a question we were asked numerous times the last week or so of our last journey. When we would mention that we were from Mississippi, and headed toward home, folks would frown, and ask why.  Of all times to be away from the hot, humid, South; the months of July and August are the best.  So, why go home?

There were a number of reasons we needed to return home for a period of time.  Routine doctor’s and dentist’s visits.  Just a part of getting older and trying to keep everything in working order.  Wanting to see the family was also a part of it.  Two months without seeing the daughters, sil’s, and of course the grand daughter is really stretching it for  Wanda.  And, I have to admit that I’m also glad to see their smiling faces. 

Another benefit of coming home became more apparent today.  I have a good friend that plants a large garden each year.  The past couple of years I’ve contributed a little seed and fertilizer, along with a few plants to the effort.  I guess you could call us sharecroppers.

I stopped by this morning and collected some of the bounty.

 

Tomatoes, and squash.

Snap beans, and a couple cucumbers.

And, of course, fresh corn.

Needless to say, supper tonight was one of the best in months. Wanda outdid herself.  All those vegetables, with a pone of hot cornbread from a black iron skillet.  I’m even looking forward to the leftovers, tomorrow.jc