Christmas Travel

We were up with the shepherds and on the road at 5:30 AM on Christmas morning.

Of course, it was dark but by daylight we were enjoying the rolling hills of Alabama. Much to my delight, the closest route kept us mostly off the freeways. More scenic and interesting that way. A case in point: we took Highway 80 out of Montgomery, AL, and I soon saw a highway marker identifying it as the Historic Selma to MontgomeryTrail. Certainly brought back memories of watching the news in the 60's.

Into Mississippi....

...down Cumberland Road, my favorite in all of Mississippi...

..a quick stop to gaze at those huge moss covered trees.
It never gets old. Enlarge the picture to get a glimpse of the old plantation house, Elgin, that sits back in those trees.

Of course, that wonderful, winding road leads to the home of our dear friends, Bennie and Bobbye, who were gracious enough to share a part of their Christmas Day with us; there was 'room at the inn'. I was so busy enjoying the visit that I failed to get any pictures. Thanks, you two, and blessings.

We went a little further down the road to a strangely vacant Walmart and, though tired from the 12 hour ride, it hadn't been on the back of a donkey and I wasn't required to give birth in a barn when we arrived.
Mary, I can say with Elizabeth, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!"


On the 26th, another early start, in the dark and some rain. Not a good time to begin to have alternator problems, evidenced by dimming headlights and very slow wipers. The problem was intermittent and the road narrow so we continued on to Alexandria, Louisiana, where we were able to find an empty parking lot.Thankfully, George was able to discover and repair a loose wire and the problem was fixed.

Approaching the Sabine River, with Texas on the other side, we saw a 'Low Bridge' warning. Oh, Great. Since we added a satellite dome to the top of the RV we haven't known exactly how high it is.... . So, another pull-over so George could do some measuring, then a very slow approach to the bridge.....will we make it.....?

Whew! Now we know we're under 12' 3''.

We arrived in Cleveland, found a place to park and George hurried off to the mill. However, he wasn't gone long . On arriving at the mill he soon discovered that there was no one there who spoke English. Good grief. Back to the motor home to call his contact who, it turned out, was away from the mill because his son was in the hospital for surgery.

And he came home with, yes, a Yellow Rose of Texas .
Okay, all together now, "Ahhhhh... how sweet!"