THE GREAT SOUTHERN TOUR – DAYS 1&2

The impetus for this trip is to attend a reunion of Mike's Boy Scout Troop #220 in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Our agenda includes returning grandson Jack, who has been visiting us since July 7, to his family in Thornton, CO, a suburb of Denver, attending the 50-year reunion of Mike's high school graduating class, and visiting friends and family along the way, including Mike's mother in Memphis. Nellie, our 5-year-old German Shorthair, is along "for the ride." Mike said we should leave the house about 7:00 a.m. It didn't happen. We were 45 minutes late. "Grandpa broke his own rule," said Jack. He added that it wouldn't happen if Kelly, his stepmother, were in charge.

"Well, it's different when you don't have to get someplace at a fixed time – like work or school," I replied defensively. We had a lot of last minute things to do – like pack food and clean out the refrigerator.

Our day of travel included a stop in Midvale to pick up a geocache near the park and another near Weiser that we didn't get. It was supposed to be in a grass clump near the edge of the road. We gave up the hunt easily. The spot wasn't inspiring and it was hot! I made a picnic lunch for us at the beautiful city park in Fruitland.

Our first scheduled stop occurred at Milo and Billie's house in Boise. Somehow the time slipped away without our taking any pictures there. What were we thinking?!! For one thing, it was very hot, which seems to retard my thought processes. Sister Ti has enrolled at Boise State and moved out of the family home, so her room has become the "man cave." Ti is sharing a trailer house with a friend not far from home. She is still involved in helping with her little brothers. Mason is 8 and Gage is 5.

It was just before 5:00 when Mike said we should be moving on. We arrived at Clint's in Hagerman after 6:30. Clint had a whole chicken roasting on the grill and Elisha had made salads and sides. But, the guys took the opportunity for a dip in the Malad River before dinner. Beds were ready for us and we were glad for the rest.

Saturday we were on our way by 6:30. This was a long day of travel. We lost half an hour when the driver failed to take the Salt Lake exit off I84. Other than that, the trip was uneventful. We stopped for three easy geocaches, all of which we found, and ate a picnic lunch at Little America, WY. As the interstate miles clicked by, we entertained ourselves by listening to podcasts, mainly Car Talk but also Gunsmoke and some '50's doo-wop.

We arrived at the Mile High Warnocks' place about 6:30. After Emerson showed us how well she can walk, we all went out for hamburgers. Much of the dinner-time conversation revolved around plans for Hallie and Nick's pending wedding in Seattle. The Mile High-ers then went on to watch Annie's softball team play while Mike and I came back to the house to rest. We tried to wait up for the family's return, but we gave up the fight to stay awake and went on to bed.

[Photo 1: Jackson dives into the Malad River. Photo 2: Jackson and Clinton. Photos 3 & 4: Emerson taking some "first steps."] KW