Texas to South Carolina

Well I have made it to South Carolina! After traveling all week it was a relief to unpack and sleep in my own bed again!

I last updated from the panhandle of Texas. The next day I ventured into Oklahoma, found an amazing coffee shop, The Brick, as I drove south into Oklahoma, I was surrounded by beautiful fields! I loved it and I have to say I turned my music up loud and proud! :D

Down into Texas and across, across, across Texas. It took me the entire day to cross Texas. But I was very happy because I decided to maunder through country highways and small towns rather than to take a state highway. I was thrilled to get a real taste of Texas as I wandered through small towns and back roads.

The next day I was blessed with gorgeous weather as I stopped to explore Vicksburg, MS. Vicksburg, an important part of the civil war campaign, has an incredible battlefield and memorial park. I spent all day Thursday exploring the meticulously mapped out battlefield. I have read lots of books on the Civil War, but Vicksburg was the first civil war battlefield I had ever been to and it is amazing to see it in person. To fix places in your mind with the dates and names you know, to see where they stood and died, in a place that looks so ordinary and normal, like the woods you would find in Oregon or Washington.At the end of the war, each state built a memorial in honour of their fallen soldiers. In the end as you drive through the 17 mile loop that encompasses the memorials, each memorial seems bigger than the last.

After a sobering afternoon, I indulged in my first real Southern meal; fried chicken, collard greens and biscuits! A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. :D

The next day, I drove quickly across Alabama and Georgia, as I will come back and visit these states later this summer, arriving in South Carolina, my home for the summer, by early evening.

I honestly wasn’t sure what I would feel like once I was actually was here; as all week long I have felt that I was on vacation. Arriving here made me realize that I am a long way from all my family and friends, and yet I am excited for all the new places to see and people to meet! :D

Across the plains....

Today was a long day, but full of great encounters with some truly friendly people and some amazing historical sites. First, I had breakfast in the town square of Snowflake, AZ, where I had spent the night and learned that it was founded by Polygamist Mormons a while ago.

Then it was on to New Mexico! I was unsure what to expect from NM as I had never been that far SW, but is a varying state and overall, it reminded me of Wyoming with a more Native American flair. I stopped in Gallup, NM for a coffee break and found The Coffee House in old town. I ended up meeting and talking for quite a while with Stephan, the barista, who was originally from Louisiana. He gave me lots of travelling tips and advice, where to go and eat and what to avoid and I ended up using some of his advice…so it was well worth the coffee stop.

Next up was the Continental Divide. While I was unabashedly taking picture like tourists, a French couple pulled up and parked. I took their picture and we started talking. They were originally from Quebec and touring the states. I know this sounds ignorant, but I had no idea that people in Quebec speak completely French, I had always been under the impression they spoke English with a French influence….like I said…I am ignorant. Anyways, they were incredibly nice and I got to teach them how to say Oregon properly: D

I stopped quickly in downtown Albuquerque; it reminds me a lot of Old Downtown San Diego. I stopped in the Candy Lady to get some fudge and other surprises and wander around the town square. I didn’t get any pictures, but there was a Native American group planning their traditional music and instruments that resounded around the square, so that lent a unique atmosphere.

On my way out of NM, I saw what looked like an old abandon town on the side of the hwy so I stopped at the only store/gas station/occupied house and ended up talking to the older gentleman who lives there. He said that Cuervo was a railroad town, and like so many, died quickly when the railroad passed on. Also it hasn’t rained there in THREE YEARS! Being a rain addict, I can’t even begin to imagine! I wander through the couple of streets that are left, it seems rather haunting to me. Museums are nice and all but are rather staged and orderly. These homes, church and school are abandoned dreams left on the side of the road to rot away, their memories dying with them. It is sad, but a good place for your imagination.

Finally I made it to Texas!

I did the completely tourist thing and stopped for supper at the Big Texan and it was SO GOOD! I was very hesitant to stop, because let’s face it; touristy things often don’t meet up to expectations. But the steak was amazing! The place was packed at 8pm on a Wednesday night. I ended up sitting next to a very nice couple from Georgia, who were very impressed that I was traveling alone and wanted to know why I didn’t have a boyfriend to take me out on a date. :D Below is a supper so you can all drool. :D

After supper I had one more stop, the huge cross on the side of the road. The cross once the largest in the world, has the Stations of the Cross around it, as well as a beautiful memorial to all holocaust of abortion.

It was a long day and a long post! But I had fun and am really feeling blessed to have this amazing opportunity to see our beautiful America!

Onward to Texas!

My journey has begun. To the East Coast that is. More specifically to South Carolina. For those of you that don’t know, I have accepted a summer nanny job in NW South Carolina. I have always, always wanted to go to the South, see all the historical sites and research my family history. I am excited to have this opportunity to go fulfill a dream and have the wonderful support system of a family and man who love and encouraged me to go on this adventure! But let’s be honest….I’m really just going for the BBQ! :D

After a day of driving though Arizona...I have to say Arizona is growing on me....it’s actually PRETTY!, in its own way…the variations of the tall saguaro cactus (thank you Brennan) to the more familiar forests of GREEN, in the form of pines through Tonto National Forest. Although the 100+ degree temperatures are not as sweet and I am incredibly blessed to have AC. I was thinking today, that while I do miss my old car, The General, having my new –to-me-car, Zephyr is a blessing!

I stopped today and visited the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary today, on my way through Phoenix. I was incredibly excited to see Sisters that I knew growing up were still there at the convent. It was a bit strange, going back to the place I had visited as a young girl over thirteen years ago. Last time I was there, I was praying on whether or not I should be a nun when I grew up, this time my thoughts and prayers were on a certain boy I have left behind. Funny, how your prayers change over the years. :D

No pictures today because, I thoughtlessly forgot to charge both my cameras. I will endeavor to do better tomorrow.

Please pray that I will make good time and stay safe on the road as well as from weather. Oh and for better coffee! Dramatic sigh. Who knew that finding a good cup of coffee would be so hard?

Sunshine or Rain…God is faithful!