Hitchhiker

What is it people say about picking up hitchhikers....Don't! Too late. Her name is Nala. She's a 10 year old Tibetan blue cat whose owner gave her up. Cats that age are put down immediately if they are turned in to anything other than a "no-kill" shelter, soooo.... Her name is Swahili for "gift" and that seems appropriate. Nala was one of the characters in "The Lion King". I found her on Craigslist. Celine & Buz took her from a rescue org in VA Beach and kept her at their house until I picked her up Christmas Eve. She's a real sweetheart. Playful, gentle, affectionate. When I sleep in the van, she curls up on top of me. She and Danny haven't met face to face yet but it won't be a problem. She grew up with a dog and Danny & Chocolate tolerated each other well for 11 years. When you look at her from the back, she looks like a raccoon...small head, broad beam. And I swore I wouldn't have another cat. If there's one word for Nala, it is "irresistible".

Purple Heart Trail

I awoke before 5 in Jax-ville. Cracker Barrel's parking lot is full of feral cats, adding to the country store image. When I pulled in Saturday night, they were lounging around on car hoods, chasing one another, putting on quite a show...like they owned the place. During the night I heard one on the roof of the van. Sunday morning didn't quite dawn. Heavy fog. I drank coffee and waited until 730 to leave. By 830 the fog had lifted somewhat and I was in GA. That's when I remembered Danny hadn't had his heart meds so I looked for a place to pull off. As many times as I've driven in and out of FL, I promised myself I would "one day" follow the exit to St. Mary's Historic District and check it out. No better time...we pulled off and headed toward the coast and Cumberland Island. In 1979 when Bob and I took the "Louise" down the Intracoastal Waterway from Norfolk to Islamorada, we navigated around Cumberland Island and it's a wilderness paradise. You really need to see what's off I-95...it's a whole "other world" experience. St. Mary's is a perfect slice of the old South. Sunday morning didn't have the locals wide awake, but the tourists were heading out of Cumberland Harbour on a tour boat. The main street, Osborne Road, was decorated with plain green wreaths and red velvet bows. Spanish moss hung heavy from century-old trees. The buildings were quaint and well cared for. The whole little town was like a postcard. I saw two B&B's on Osborne Rd. Spencer House Inn, circa 1872, is pictured here along with an antebellum mansion named Orange Hall. Couldn't tell if it was privately owned or a public building and there was no one to ask! One of the signs read 35mph, slow traffic to the right. That'll give you the idea. Lovely little diversion. Driving through southern Georgia, you'll see one of the most appealing sights along the coastal US....vast salt marsh plains. A bit like the Everglades except here the hammocks are hardwood and pine trees. Then there's Brunswick GA...the wind was blowing the wrong way, carrying the odor of rotten eggs to I-95. Guess if you live there, you get used to it. Like the paper mills in Franklin VA.

This stretch of I-95 has "Purple Heart Trail" signs every few miles. The "Purple Heart" is a US military decoration awarded to those wounded or killed while protecting our country. One of the most respected decorations, it is also one of the oldest awards. Eventually the "Purple Heart Trail" will cover all 50 states. The signs are meant to remind all US citizens of the debt we owe our military. It is my understanding that the Trail was conceived by Army General Dwight D. Eisenhower after he became our President. When you see these signs, be thankful and remember our men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan.

With all the stops for Danny and a little sightseeing, I was midnight getting to VA. Slept in the van again. Feels like home already.

Miami In My Rear View Mirror

I left leisurely yesterday. I had meant to be on the road by 10AM, but I hit the wall Friday night...just couldn't do another thing, so I crashed and picked back up Saturday about 630AM. I thought I could be out in an hour, but with extended goodbyes to neighbors, visiting UPS and Goodwill, etc....well, I entered I-95 at one in the afternoon. A perfect day and for once I wasn't in tears leaving Miami. The first time I left, 1976, I cried all the way to the Georgia line. In 2004, it wasn't much different. None of my 3 daughters likes South Florida, but Lucia took a stab at why it means so much to me. I lived in La Ceiba, Honduras for years as a child...my most formative years, 2-6. In Miami I am surrounded by happy memories brought back by Spanish culture, food, music, language. Palm trees, sunlight of a color and clarity unlike the rest of the East coast, ocean and bay waters too beautiful to describe...anyway, Miami is a polarizing place. You love it or you hate it. I love it.

Before I left Miami I started thinking about a heat source. Can't use propane, not enough ventilation. Battery operated heaters aren't sufficient. Finally decided upon an extension cord and oil filled radiator. Home Depot had one at a decent price, $33. Something told me I could do better. Good ole Craigslist. I looked for "oil filled radiator" in Jacksonville, found one (new) for $20, called the seller and met him at his home last night. We chatted a few minutes. I asked him how he could sell at that price. He's an auctioneer who buys from the military at less than wholesale and them sells in half dozen different places including flea market vendors. That'll teach you to buy at flea markets! When I find his business card again, I'll edit this and post his website and phone number for all you bargain hunters.

At 730PM I was ready to test my new skills as a vagabond. Most RV'ers know that WalMart allows you to park in their lots overnight at no charge. Great PR. But I was hungry and remembered that Cracker Barrel offers the same courtesy. I saw a Cracker Barrel sign high over I-295 North in Jacksonville and took Exit 10 to their restaurant. Yes, the night manager said! Very nice gentleman by the name of "Scoot". He asked where I was headed. I explained the whole thing to him and he said, "Gosh, I lead a pretty boring life. I have 12 grandchildren and they are all here in Jacksonville". Well, Scoot, that may be boring for road trips, but what a blessing!

On The Path Of "Ghost Dancing"

In "Blue Highways" written in 1978, William Least Heat-Moon came to a cross roads in his life. He divorced and lost his job almost at the same time. Throwing a camping stove, a portapotty, a bunk bed, and favorite books in the back of a van he christened "Ghost Dancing", in honor of his Native American heritage, Least Heat-Moon (aka William Trogdon) took off across the US on his personal odyssey of 13,000 miles on the back roads of America. What a great adventure, turned into a memorable book....which remains one of my life's favorites. Here's a photo of my "Ghost Dancing", the key to my own adventure. The window stickers reflect the dichotomy of my nature: "Namaste" on the left rear window and "U, Miami, Canes, and a small Sebastian" superimposed on the right rear window. I put a comfy twin bed into it, a small desk & office chair, loo, cooler, etc. With an air card, inverter and cell phone, think what Least Heat-Moon could have done! He might still be out there somewhere...

Danny Boy

Today was a good day, spent with Meredith & Mark and their family & friends at Dolphin Stadium. Finally the 'Fins won a game! Unfortunately I had gone home in the third quarter, but listened to the game while driving...Dolphins 22, Baltimore 16! Yeah! Tomorrow I start the countdown to begin the trip. Still need to pick up a few items...5 gallon bucket, outdoor extension cord, auxilliary heater. Danny & I will leave Miami on Saturday morning, December 22nd. We'll probably stop in Jacksonville that night. Sunday morning we'll hit the road early for Virginia Beach. We'll be there until Ava, my grandaughter, is born and Noel, my daughter, is "on the Mommy track" and ready to say goodbye. Due date, January 4th.