Day #1 - The adventure begins

From Florida to Mississippi.

No one ever really teaches us how to say goodbye. We're raised to learn that goodbyes aren't usually forever and that the object we're saying goodbye to will return at some point. Sadly, I've learned over time that despite good intentions of meeting up, traveling to visit... unfortunately those things rarely happen. Every move has its own challenges, but the goodbyes are the hardest. In one week, your entire life is packed into boxes and in the hands of someone who has no emotional attachment to what's in the back of their truck. You say goodbye to those who you've grown close to over the last few years. You watch your kids do the same. It's unreal and unsettling, but you'll do it again and again. Over and over. After a while, the sadness lessens and you become less homesick as you learn to love your new home and new friends. It's the limbo in between that is the hardest. However, we persevere and make do with what we are faced. Onto the next adventure, we go. We'll miss you, FL.

Stop #1:
Welcome to AL Rest Stop.  Completely unintended, but our car top popped open on the interstate and we lost a few items.  Nothing really big, but I was incredibly thankful that no one behind me got hit.  We pulled over immediately and made some adjustments then got to the rest stop and secured it the rest of the way.  We made it to Mississippi without any more problems.

Stop #2: Stonewall BBQ.  OMG yum.  Great little stop in Hattiesburg and well worth the little detour.  It had stopped raining so we were able to enjoy our food on the patio and then hit the road with a full tummy.  The sandwich - smoked brisket, pulled pork, and Mac and Cheese.  Yes, Mac and Cheese on a bun.  It's called the WMD.  No surprise there.

Stop #3: Grave of Douglas the Camel.  Douglas was part of the camel brigade that served in the Confederate army.  In a cemetery in Vicksburg lies a little gravestone marking a bit of history for Douglas.  Additionally, we walked by and saw two surprise stones - the markers for Martin Luther King Sr. and his wife.  Funny enough, NOT the MLK Sr, that you would think.  Just someone with the same name.  History is everywhere, you just have to look. Of course, we prefer the odd history so this was a nice addition in our trip to see Douglas.

Stop #4:  Grant's Canal.  Because it just seems like a plausible idea to attempt to reroute the Mississippi River.  After just over 150 yrs, all that's left is what looks like small, odd-shaped retention pond.   

Tonight = rest.  Both emotional and physical.  Sad to be so far away from home, but getting excited for new beginnings.  Until tomorrow.  If all is on schedule, we'll see some ruins, eat lunch in a non-PC cafe, and hang out with a boggy monster.