Don't let life just happen

Wifey feeding wildlife along Nevada's US 50

"Life is what happens while you are making plans."

I believe this was written on the side of a building in the movie "Cuffs." I haven't taken the time to go look at the movie during the past week in order to be sure.

But I just wanted to use that saying anyway.

Last week while Linda, my wife of almost 44 years and I were making plans, life happened. She suffered a stoke and has been in the hospital ever since.  She is improving and will be going to a rehabilitation facility today or tomorrow.

We expect a complete recovery and a return to normalcy which means more travel.

During the course of our almost 44 years together, we just didn't make plans for when we were retired and could travel.

We have been on the go all those years. First to Jordan, Israel, Egypt. And later to France and Italy. We have taken a couple cruises and in the early years of marriage took a year off from work and van-camped throughout the US.

The Smoky Mountains have been an annual destination. And lately we have been making it up that way two or three times a year.

San Francisco is another favorite spot. We have made the trip from Ocean Springs to the West Coast at least 20 times over the past 40 years.

Needless to say, I like to travel and wifey goes along.

And since this is going to be a short post, I want to emphasize, don't just make plans to do things or to travel. Make it happen - today. Put aside the money, live a few dreams while you can.

Life may happen tomorrow.

Next post: May 3, 2011

A meal and a memory

Remains of once-popular truck stop

I don't remember much about the Red Hot.

But I do remember the fact that my wife and I frequented the truck stop often back in the late 1960s when we lived in Aberdeen in northern Mississippi.

The Red Hot was located in Meridian.  It was a "half-way" point in the early days of our marriage when we traveled a lot between Aberdeen and her hometown of Hattiesburg.

Meridian was about an hour and a half drive northeast of Hattiesburg on US 11 and Interstate  59. Aberdeen was about another two hours farther north on US 45.

So coming or going, depending on the time of day, the sign welcomed us along with thousands of others.

The place was always busy, catering to truckers from all across the South heading to or from Atlanta, Birmingham, New Orleans or Jackson, MS or points farther east and west.

I ordered the t-bone steak special which I enjoyed. Don't remember the sides but it had to be a baked potato and some peas along with a roll and some coffee. Those were the most common accoutrements in the South.

Just this past year, upon returning from a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we happened to go through Meridian.

And this time we decided to stop and shoot a picture of the iconic sign that still lingers along the side of the highway. The truck stop was torn down more than a decade ago so the land could be available for another larger business.

Looking for the Red Hot on the internet  brought up some interesting items  concerning paleontologists who have been digging in the area of the sign and finding interesting tidbits of the past. Others recall their "best" ever cup of coffee.

Maybe the sign will continue to stand tall, and not become buried like the relics that are being uncovered.

It is unfortunate that once-popular places such as the Red Hot are relegated to just memories. 

I guess it is just a sign of the times.

Next post: April 26, 2011

Rationalize: Make that summer trip a reality

Grandsons Nate (left) and Luke enjoy river

When does one become antsy about a summer road trip in light of the fact that the price of gas is expected to hit $5 a gallon sometime in the next few months in the United States. We've got about $1.30 more to go down here in south Mississippi where we live before it hits that mark. But it is heading there.

Churches offer historical perspective on area

And our vehicle, a 2000 Chevy long-wheel-based, high-rise van gets from 16 to 20 miles per gallon depending on our speed on the Interstate.

It also holds 33 gallons. That means a fillup would be north of $150. We usually can get more than 500 miles on a tank of gas and it takes about three tanks to get to the mountains, do a little riding around up there, and then make it back home.

Junior Ranger program sparks interest in nature

Sounds like a lot. But wait. When planning a vacation, one needs to take everything into consideration and just balance it out and rationalize the cost of enjoyment.

We're going camping in the Great Smoky Mountains in late June and will be camping at Elkmont about six miles from Gatlinburg. If the government doesn't shut down, the park will remain open and campsites go for around $20 a night. 

Straddling the state line at Newfound Gap

But for those who have a Golden Age Passport, the price is cut in half. A week's camping costs $70. We were going to eat anyway, so that shouldn't be considered in. 

Except we'll have a couple grandkids for a few days extra and have to feed them. But its not that much. They almost live on Kraft macaroni and cheese. But they like pancakes, sausage and eggs along with orange juice.

Cades Cove Road loops through enchanting forest

Lunch is sandwiches and supper ends up being hotdogs or hamburgers along with some side dishes. They also like Smores.

We try to stay in the park most of the time which means, hiking doesn't cost extra. Enjoying the wildlife and nature doesn't cost extra. Visiting historical sites doesn't cost extra. And the waterfalls are beautiful.

Cades Cove horses enjoy a taste of carrot

We'll pick up a souvenir or two at the National Park Service visitors centers, but then again, we belong to the Great Smoky Mountain Association and get a discount on purchases.

Throwing rocks -- childhood entertainment

Tubing in the river isn't extra since we have had the tubes for a couple of years. The grandkids enjoy playing in the river which also includes throwing rocks.

Ice cream treat at Townsend

For those who want to take rationalization to the extreme, add up the savings back home because the electricity is not being used, the water isn't running and there's no gas waterheater operating. Sure makes a trip sound more affordable.

So a week can cost as little as $700. That's just $100 a day (for two adults and two children), which most people, when traveling, consider to be a good deal. Oh, I forgot. We usually go into Townsend for ice cream which can cost about $2 each.

Don't give up on summer travel plans. Just rationalize !!!

Next post: April 19, 2011