Road Trip!

In early November, I went on a road trip with my (almost 90 year old) father. I don't know about him, but I had a great time even though he wouldn't let me drive. After all, I AM the baby.

I flew from Phoenix to Pennsylvania and the next day we took off driving 800 miles to Florida in two days.

The first part was beautiful driving though the rolling hills of Maryland and Virgina. The leaves were past their prime, but I enjoyed them.


We hit some light rain in North Carolina where we stopped for the night, but the next day it was a real gully washer.


Our destination was Jacksonville where his sister and my two daughters and son-in-law live. Knowing my father loves trains, Christy thought we could tour the old railroad terminal in Jacksonville. It's really pretty cool looking, but unfortunately it was locked up. They now use it for special events. Here are Christy and her Grandpop looking for an open door.


On to plan B, we hopped on the people mover monorail and rode around downtown. Christy pointed out the downtown lighthouse, which actually contains the elevator for the huge Baptist church parking garage.


We zoomed by the building where my other daughter Laura works on the 27th floor. It's also where I wwwoorrked too - even on the same floor. (It's even hard to type that word.)


Here we're reflected in one of the buildings - can you see us waving?


The next day Christy gave us a personal tour of the Museum of Science and History (MOSH) where she works. We were all impressed with the quality of the exhibits. They have really turned the place around since my last visit.

Here are the two sets of siblings in front of the giant head, the entrance to the 'Body Within' exhibit. Meet my Aunt Milicent, father Ellis, and daughters Christy and Laura. Son-in-law John was at work. Some people will do anything to avoid a picture.


There's a nice view of the Jacksonville downtown from the MOSH rooftop.


Ah, finally we caught up with John - working hard preparing to make us dinner. What a guy!


Christy snapped this as we sat down to enjoy John's famous pork chops. Yummy!


Oh, and I can't forget to introduce my grandson Vaughn. Isn't he cute?


And my granddaughter Phoebe who is a bit antisocial.


That's better. Here she's keeping her mother's feet warm.


All too soon, it was time to head back to PA. We traveled back though South Carolina - land of the very tall billboards.


And laughed at all the signs for South of the Border. For those couple of people who have never driven I95 and been inundated with the ads, South of the Border is a true tourist trap just south of the border of North and South Carolina. I think it started as a gift shop, but now they have everything from miniature golf to a reptile lagoon.


Back in Pennsylvania, I was determined to find some fall color. These pretty red bushes were in the woods near my father's house.


It seems the yellow leaves fall earlier - I looked far and wide for this one.


But the prettiest trees were at the home of the nursery wholesalers. I guess that's no surprise.

I did have time to meet my cousin Linda and her mother Beatrice for a nice lunch before my return flight. They both looked great, but as usual, I forget to take a picture.

On my trip back to Phoenix, I changed planes in Detroit. I didn't remember being in that airport until I used the underground walkway between terminals. It's a migraine sufferer's nightmare - the walls flash and change colors in time to the music. Pretty, but those flashing lights would really get to Ron.


Home again, home again, jiggity jig. This picture is for my Aunt Bea who never saw it when I posted it before.