Home Again Home Again

Jiggety Jig!

The Dufilho crew left early this morning to make the long drive back to Lubbock.   The Lagoys and Sharps slept in a bit.  Isaac had the time to do what he really wanted to do.

And Abby had the time to do what she really needed to do.

Then we stopped by LSU, Mimi and Boppa's university, to visit Mike the Tiger.

Mike was enjoying a late morning nap.  What a beautiful cat though.

Mimi then took us on a pleasant journey down memory lane.  To the high school where she and Boppa met.

Their first house as newlyweds, where Lindsay was brought home as a newborn.

The church where they were married.

Mom's house as a teenager, when she was dating Dad. 

And Dad's teenage house, where he proposed to her.

And their favorite date spot, where we enjoyed a delicious meal before heading home.

We made it back to Texas!!! 

We met Adel and Dad for dinner at Discovery Green in downtown.  Then we all kissed goodbye and headed to our own, blessed homes.  That's a wrap on this fun-filled, family adventure.  I am worn out but very happy.  Thanks family, for being just crazy enough to do such a thing.  

Last Full Day on the Road

Another 6 hour drive today = time for more learning about the states.  Also, time for lots more junk food and silliness. 

We broke up our drive with a stop at the USS Alabama, to refresh our memory on our WWII knowledge and see a "for real" battleship.

Gunner Isaac. 

Most adults would cringe at the idea of sleeping in a bunk room for 60 people, stacked 3 high.  The kids thought it was the best room ever! 

Enjoying a view from the deck.

(Photo edited by Andy.  Cool, huh?!)

The next stop was for a trip down memory lane.  Mimi and Nana directed us to the street in Mississippi where they grew up.  They argued about whether this was the right place and finally decided to ask this lady who was out on her porch.  It turns out this lady lived there when they were little girls and actually knew them by name.  The house they had lived in was no longer there but the neighbor was able to tell them about it.  What a neat surprise.

Nana says she has a picture of her as a little girl at this very spot, in the front yard of their childhood home, with that very same house in the background across the street. 

And here's the picture. You can see the house from behind the trees.

Then we went a little farther to the cemetery of their grandparents.

And of their father who was killed in a helicopter crash during a heroic rescue effort in Korea after the Korean War.  He died when Mimi and Nana were very little.

And also of their mom (my Nana) and stepdad (Poppi).  

We talked to the kids about who they were.

And let them make grave rubbings to take home.

The end of the day was the usual long ride, too many potty stops, and late, rushed dinner and bedtime.  Tomorrow is our last day on the road.  Some of us (me included) are looking so forward to being home for some peace and quiet. Others (my crazy sister) would keep going as long as money was no object.   All of us have had a great trip and are looking forward to the fun of tomorrow.

On Our Way Home.

We spent another perfect morning on the beach.

Half the kids would play and swim at the beach while the other half would go tubing on the boat.

With lots of trading places as the boat would come and go.

After lunch, it was back on the road.  We now have one extra adult in the van so quarters are even tighter (and notice the DVD player is still disconnected.  Hehe.)

Georgia state line pic.  I love that Isaac is just waking up from a nap and Abby clear has to go.

 At our halfway point in Atlanta, Georgia, we stopped at the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site.

Pretending to be freedom marchers.

Receiving their junior ranger badges for completing the activity packet. 

 The MLK timeline mural.

Part of the junior ranger activity packet had a blank space for the kids to write their own "I have a dream" speech.  Isaac: "I have a dream that there will be no more death."  Abby: "I have a dream that candy will be the good stuff instead of the bad stuff."  Sweet girl.

On the way out, we clicked a pic of MLK's childhood home.

And the church where his dad served as minister.

And we topped off the night with dinner at the very first Chick-Fil-A (as discovered on roadsideamerica.com).

For some reason, it is themed the Dwarf House and has a small door the kids can enter.

Alabama state line pic.

And another roadside moment brought to you by Isaac.

Hehe.