Birmingham to Dallas (again)

After leaving Julie & Baby, we drove into B'ham to visit our old friends at the RAC/BI and go to lunch. Can it have been only 6 weeks ago that we left??? Only Susan was available, so I put Fletch in the Ops room to stretch and rest. When I got back from lunch, the boss had discovered Fletch in the Ops room - Oops! Fletch and I went over to the storage unit to get some things out and drop some other things off that we no longer needed. I did pick up a few more Christmas presents out of storage to take to SD, but that were too big to be carried around in the meantime (and very breakable). We headed towards Valdosta to see the kids but it was getting late, so we stopped into a little motel I had seen many times on my way to GA on previous occasions. I was always curious about it because it is called the Key West Inn and I LOVE Key West. Alas, the motel had NOTHING in common with the island. We drove into Valdosta the next morning in time to have lunch with the kids and then go to the sonogram appt in town.  I had really wanted to take some more photos of the sonogram, but this visit was only for sound. A little disappointed but so happy that everything was fine and that I got to be there to hear my little grandbaby's hearbeat, which made up for no photos. I did get one of our little entourage in the check-up room though:

That's doctor, new daddy, new Godmother, and new mommy.

Later, we relaxed a little around the townhouse and discussed names - I don't think any of my choices are high on the list with mom & dad; what's up with that? I did get some photos of Fletch (of course) lounging.

We slept on the couch and headed out the next day after a little sleeping in. Driving through Mobile, I saw some awesome clouds:

It reminded me of something my dad used to say: "Red skies at night, sailor's delight. Red skies at morning, sailors take warning."

The next morning, Fletch and I stopped at a Sonic for a snack. He always gets the top scoop of plain ice cream off of my Dr. Pepper float!

The next day we arrived in Natchez, MS. I'm finally crossing the mighty Mississippi in the daylight. I don't know why it always happens that I cross it at night. Anyway, for today's history lesson: Natchez was originally settled by the French around 1720 and was big in the cotton trade. After awhile it developed into a commercial and cultural capital of the old south. In 1779, the Spanish acquired the area and made Natchez the capitol of that area in 1790, where it sits in a typical Spanish grid plan overlooking the Mississippi River. There are also Indian ruins and other historical sites regarding the Indians but they were closed when I attempted to tour them.



The town seemed almost abandoned - very few people wandering around.

I did get a quick shot of the bridge just before we went over it. This is the same bridge in the previous photo, on the bluff of the river.



On the other side, (Louisiana), we caught sight of the road workers who were obviously jail help because they all had the (stereo)typical black & white striped 'pajamas' on while they were working! I didn't realize anyone even wore those things anymore. I guess the Cajun law-dogs didnt' want anyone to doubt who these guys were...

Due to finances, we ended up driving straight through to Dallas to see Sue again (remember, I went to the sanctuary with Sue last month where I met Fletch). Someone was easily snoozing in the back seat. Not sure, but I may have actually heard snoring. Why is it that he wouldn't sleep on the cool cat beds I bought for him, but he doesn't mind sleeping on the upended suitcase with all the zippers and handles? It's beyond me, I tell you!


We arrived in Dallas on Friday night, exhausted from driving w/o much sleep yet wired on DP. I got a nice, hot shower and Fletch got spoiled by Sue. He even slept in one of HER cat condos she has sitting by a nice window.

Go figure... Anyway, we are going to relax here for a couple of days and see a couple of sights before we finally head for the West Coast.