Day 22 August 2, 2009

Sunday morning at 8:00 AM we left Corbin, KY and headed toward Iowa Falls. Sunday traffic was fairly light around Lexington and Louisville and very manageable around Indianapolis. After a quick lunch at McDonald's in Danville, IL we kept the car headed north west and arrived in Iowa Falls at 7:00 PM.

We had a great trip. We drove 3450 miles and averaged 30 miles per gallon and paid an average of less than $2.39 a gallon for gas. Seeing everyone and spending time with them was great. Mom's elbow is recovering well and she is adjusting to the assisted living.

This is the end of our trip and the last of the blog. We hope to do some more traveling in September or October.

Gary and Marilyn

Day 21 August 1, 2009

Saturday August 1, 2009 is Mom's (Edna Zane Huffine) 80th birthday. We surprised her with an open house at Mark and Tammy's. After one of her favorite lunches (tacos), several visitors stopped by to wish her well. Juanita Holden, a neighbor and close friend from where we grew up came by for the afternoon and brought her two daughters Cherie and Vicky and a granddaughter Melissa.

Other visitors included a cousin Patsy Jaynes and her uncle John, Mom's old bosses Gerald and Sue from the Cherry Tree, the church's Pastor Ken and his wife, three ladies who were neighbors at the over 50 complex and Nancy from Erwin, TN where Mom and Dad lived for some time after moving from the country.

There were lots of fruits and vegetables to munch on as well as punch and birthday cake. Lots of laughs and old times were shared and many pictures taken. Mom was showered with cards and gifts and thoroughly had a good time. Many thanks to Mark and Tammy for the use of their beautiful home and there tireless work to make the day a rousing success. Afterward, we took a tired Mom back to Preston Place and got on the road and drove to Corbin, KY.

Day 20 July 31, 2009

Friday morning we drove two hours from Wytheville, VA to Kingsport, TN to visit Mom at the Preston Place assisted living. We went to lunch at a place called Fatz and then stopped at Panera Bread for coffee and dessert. Mom ate chocolate pie and we had a great scone!!

Afterward we spent the afternoon with Mom and then on to brother Mark and Tammy's place to visit a while before going out for pizza. Finished the last minute things for the big 80th birthday tomorrow!!

Day 19 July 30, 2009

Thursday brings us needing to head south to TN. As we leave, Logan is relaxing in front of the TV while Owen is eating eggs, drinking water and just figured out how to fast forward Nemo so he could see the whale. We had a great week in PA with Greg, Kelly and the boys. The new baby has not come yet and is not due for several days yet, but Kelly is ready. Hate to leave but the road calls us.

We drove out through the Amish area and took a nice quiet drive on the PA Turnpike to Harrisburg (the state capital!!) then headed south on I-81. We ate at a Chick-Fil-A along the way and just admired the Shenandoah Valley. We stopped for the night in Wythville, VA which leaves us only a couple of hours for tomorrow's drive. Ate too much at Cracker Barrel!!

Day 18 July 29, 2009

Today is Wednesday and Owen seems to be fine. His mom thinks it is the teething regardless of what the Dr.'s say. They seem to say that teething can make for nasty diapers but not cause a fever!!

We went with Kelly and the boys on highway 23 south toward Lancaster, PA into the Amish/Mennonite territory and saw some beautiful countryside that was abundant with dairy farms, truck crops and several little villages that had harness shops as well as tourist shops along the way. We saw the Amish in their horse and buggys, at produce stands and in other work environments. With all the recent rains, everything is very lush and green. We were impressed at how everything was so clean and neat.

We had lunch at the Shady Maple Smorgasbord which is a huge place. Marilyn and I were considered seniors so we got a 10% discount, 50% off for Logan and free for Owen. Kelly was the only full price meal we had!!! There was plenty for all to eat and almost all of it looked great. Logan had something called scrapple that he liked but it looked like something found in the word to me!! Otherwise, everything tasted great.

After lunch we went to the Shady Maple Market and showed Kelly the large grocery store that has a huge selection of meats, vegetables and fruits along with an unbelievable bakery, deli and assortments of spices etc. Kelly bought some breads and vowed to come back another day!

Later this afternoon it rained again and we helped grate some zucchini for Kelly to put away to use for zucchini bread at a later date. Our stay is coming to an end in PA as we are heading back to Tennessee tomorrow. We have had a great time here and hope we haven't outstayed our welcome!!

Day 17 July 28.2009

Tuesday started foggy when Marilyn and I took our 2 mile walk at 8:00 AM but turned very hot and humid soon afterward and hit 90 degrees or so. With Greg at work and Logan at school this morning the rest of us did some grocery shopping and cooking for dinner. We decided on Cornish Game Hens and dressing etc. Kelly's Mom came for dinner and we all had a great time.

Owen was feeling a little under the weather with a temperature so we will be keeping an eye on him for a while. Lunch was Philly Cheesesteaks that we had delivered (too hot to go out to eat!!!)

Day 16 July 27, 2009

Monday was a busy day with Logan doing some school things in the morning and he and Grandpa going fishing at the lake in the afternoon. We had a great day (except for the rainout for 30 minutes) and caught some fish. I even managed to catch some fish with my new flyrod!!

Owen, Kelly and Grandma went to the pool while we were at the lake and had a great time there.

Day 15 July 26, 2009

Sunday brought a warm day and everyone wanted to stay inside. Greg put ribs on to cook all afternoon and they were great. While the ribs cooked, Marilyn and I took Logan to the movie and we saw the new Star Trek. We really enjoyed it even though we were not the old Star Trek junkies.

Day 14 July 25, 2009

Saturday's temperature hit 90 degrees and the boys needed some outside time so Greg loaded them and Grandma Marilyn up and went to the pool. Logan is going off the high-dive and Owen is jumping into the water to his Dad. Marilyn said there was a nice breeze and the humidity was low so being outside was fairly comfortable. Kelly and Gary reduced the enormous pile of zuccini by shredding and putting in the freezer for later use. Kelly also made a banana bread for all of us to enjoy later.

Earlier in the day we all went to the grocery store and to Lowe's while Logan went to a birthday party for one of his classmates. Greg and Kelly are still working on some redecorating for the new one that is arriving soon.

Greg and Kelly went out for a quiet dinner for a couple of hours and we stayed in and fixed tacos, watched King Kong and wrestled with the boys until Grandma said Grandpa had to settle down.

Day 13 July 24, 2009

Friday brought lots of rain again so all stayed inside most of the day and played puzzles, Wii and did a lot of munching on fresh peaches, tomatoes and sandwiches. Marilyn and I did get our 2 mile walk done in the morning before the rains began. Kelly has been good enough to print off some crossword puzzles so I have had those to keep me busy also.

Logan beats us in almost every game of Wii whether it be baseball or tennis or golf. I did manage to beat Owen in bowling (he is almost 2 1/2!!). The Mario racing is very depressing as I barely beat Owen at that and he doesn't have a driver's license (yet!!).

We managed to go to Target with Kelly and the boys. Owen found a Hippo game and Logan decided that he and Grandpa should get the Battleship game to play. After Target we stopped at a fruit stand and bought some nice tomatos and white peaches.

Greg came home early and got the yard mowed before it rained again. We started working on items for dinner and ended up with mixed vegetables (zuccinni and squash from Greg and Kelly's garden) on the grill along with beef tenderloin and white sweet corn from the Amish around New Holland. We had quite a feast as all were miserable from eating too much.

After dinner we all settled in and watched Coraline in 3D. Good movie for the kids and all.

Day 12 July 23, 2009

Thursday is cloudy and rainy all day. Stayed inside and worked puzzles with the boys as well as playing on the Wii. We seem to not be able to play the games as fast or a well as 8 or 2 year olds!! Had spaghetti for dinner and called it a night early.

Day 11 July 22, 2009

Wednesday morning left Lancaster, PA at 9:00 AM and drove to New Holland and on to Maple Valley Farm Market grocery store. Stocked up on some staples and meats for Greg and Kelly's. Stopped at an Amish roadside shop for fresh tomatoes, cantaloupe and sweet corn. Got into Greg and Kelly's at 11:30 AM. Spent the remainder of the day with them and the boys.

Greg cooked hot dogs and turkey burgers for dinner.

Day 10 July 21, 2009

Tuesday morning left Lynchburg and headed back to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stayed on only a few miles and decided to head to the Natural Bridge. Got there 45 minutes before it opened and decided not to wait. Went on to a wild animal safari that we could drive through and spent an hour there looking at the animals. From there we went to Harrisonburg, VA and had lunch with Jerry and Charlsie Miller. Great lunch and conversation.

Continued north and spent two hours at the Gettysburg Battlefield on the Auto Tour. Was blown away by the size and scope of this national treasure. Would like to go back and spend a couple of days here to really see the battlefield. Drove on to Lancaster, VA to spend the night.

Day 9 July 20, 2009

Monday morning left Kingsport and headed north toward Philadelphia. Got on the Blue Ridge Parkway in southern VA and stayed on for approx. 90 miles. Saw some great sights and scenery and very little traffic. Had lunch in a very nice picnic area on the parkway.

After leaving the parkway, we drove to Lynchburg, VA to spend the night. Had some Mexican food and went to bed.

Day 8 July 19, 2009

Sunday morning and we went to church with Mark and Tammy. Mark is the adult pastor there and he delivered the sermon this day. Great service and Mark did a good job.

Mark took Mom and us out to eat for lunch after church. We had a buffet at the hotel near Mom's center. I think she was glad to get away for a while and ate a good lunch. We spent the rest of the afternoon with Mom and went back to Mark's for BLT's for dinner. Went to bed early so we could continue on our trip.

Day 7 July 18, 2009

Saturday morning!! Got up early and went bass fishing with Mark. He lives very near the Holston River which has a good smallmouth bass population. We fished for 3 and 1/2 hours. Mark caught two small ones and I almost caught some. Had some bites but no cigar!! Great to be outside and hear the river and see wildlife. Saw lots of geese and some herons.

After spending time with Mom in the afternoon we took Mark and Tammy out for dinner at a nice Italian restaurant. Food was great and nice to spend and evening out.

Day 6 July 17, 2009

Today is Friday. Mom had several visitors at the center. I went to Jonesborough and picked up Juanita Holden, an old friend from where Mark and I grew up on Concord Street in Johnson City, TN. I took her back to visit Mom and they seemed to have a great time. She was also visited by a friend from Kingsport and Pat and John Jaynes, from South Carolina. Mark and Tammy were able to be there when everyone else was too. A good day was had by all and everyone was gone by 2:00 PM.

Friday night Tammy cooked a mean fried chicken with fresh tomatoes, green beans and mashed potatoes topped off with a peach cobbler. A great meal was had by all. Thanks again Tammy!!!

Day 5 July 16, 2009

Thursday spent much of the day with Mom at the center. We expected that the next day after surgery might be tough for her but she seemed to feel pretty good and had little pain- at least she did not complain of pain and only took one pain pill. She started getting used to the routine of the place and really only complained of being a bit tired and being full as they have big meals and they seem to come soon!

Day 4 July 15, 2009

Wednesday morning was surgery for Mom to fix her elbow. Surgery went very well as they did an area block and did not have to take her under so far. She now has a plate and screws in her right elbow to hold everything in place.

After surgery and recovery we took her to Preston Place, an assisted living community very near the hospital and doctors and fairly close to my brother Mark's place. We stayed the afternoon and had dinner with her. She was tired but tolerated the day very well. Within the first hour of being at the center, almost every staff member stopped by and introduced themselves to Mom and asked what they could do for her. It sure made us feel as if we had made the correct decision on the place to take her.

Day 3- July 14, 2009

Marilyn and I took Mom to the hospital for stress test on her heart. Test took all morning but she passed and was cleared for surgery the next day. On July 3rd she fell and broke both elbows. The left one was broken but left to heal without cast or surgery. The right one was shattered and needed surgery. Doctors wanted to wait until swelling was down so surgery was scheduled for the 15th.

Mark and I had to quickly find a place for Mom as the place he had gotten set up for her did not have a private room after all. We spent the afternoon looking for a place that was suitable. Found a great assisted living spot at Preston Place in Kingsport. Nearby and well staffed, lots of activities and plenty to eat.

Day 2 July 13, 2009

Up in time for a nice brisk walk for 30 minutes. Ate the free breakfast and got out of town by 9:30 AM. Decided to take our time and drive some non interstate hiways. Took I74 a few miles into Indiana and drove Indiana 63 south to Terra Haute and picked up US 41 to Vincennes. Very nice 4 lane hiway that showed us the countryside at a slower pace. Stopped for gas the first time north of Terra Haute. (New Toyota gets over 30 miles to the gallon!!!) After some road construction on the south side of Terra Haute, we continued south and stopped at a roadside market and picked up a small bambi melon and a tomato. We ate these at our lunch stop at a roadside park in Shoal, IN on US Hwy 150 in the southern part. The tomato almost tasted like homegrown and the melon was very good.

After lunch we drove thru some very pretty scenery of the Hoosier National Forest and on to French Lick, IN and Lake Pagato, just north of I-64. We saw a huge hotel that was very picturesque with a cobblestone brick boulevard leading up to it.

Finished the day by driving another 6 hours to my brother Mark's in Kingsport, TN arriving at 9:00 PM. Got to visit with Mom, Mark and Tami for a while before hitting the hay.

Beginning the trip to Tennessee

Sunday morning July 12- Finally got out of town at 11:30 AM after stopping by to see Megan, Lily and Landyn. Stopped and filled up with gas at Kum and Go so we could get the free Des Moines Register. Weather was stormy south so we went east thru Quad Cities and picked up I74 and stopped in Champain, IL at the Fairfield Inn for the night. Had a great meal at Chevy's Fresh Mex grill; fahitas for two was the special. Very tasty!!