(On The Road Again – Willie Nelson)

Yes we are. Hopefully our last day.

Here’s another small post for family and friends who are following along each day to see where we are.

Another good sleep in a comfortable hotel bed. Things sure have improved. I remember years ago hotels beds were soooo uncomfortable. Thankful for that.

Up again at 5:30 a.m. Continental breakfast, such as they always are, and then on the road again.

We’re really hoping the weather cooperates and we get back to PEI tonight. It will be another long day but fingers crossed. 🤞🏼

Looking forward to crossing our Confederation Bridge this evening.

Have a great day y’all.

(Long, Long Day – Paul Simon)

What a long day!

On the road at 6:25 a.m. We had planned to make it to Lowell, Massachusetts but sadly no. Only made it to a Manchester, Connecticut.

The traffic was horrendous and there were delays on the highway so by 6:00 p.m. Richard was fried. We wisely decided to stop and stay overnight in Manchester, Connecticut at the Manchester Inn and Suites. The room was large and comfortable and the bathroom had a lovely tub. Much needed after such a long drive.

We had to laugh when we saw the TV though. It was one of the old ones.

We were too tired to look for a restaurant so we bought some food at The Food Market and ate it in our room.

Here’s our lodging for the night.

Nite y’all 😴 yawn yawn

(Do the 81 – Candy and The Kisses)

Another early morning.

Up at 5:30 a.m.

Actually slept really well. Guess that’s what happens when you’re exhausted.

Out for a quick walk to get some fresh air.

A quick bite of their continental breakfast and then back on the 81.

Hoping to make it to Lowell, Massachusetts tonight. 🤞🏼

Have a great day y’all.

(Now The Day is Over – John Willmarth)

Well day one of the drive home is over.

Here’s where we are for the night.

La Quinta by Wyndham, in Wytheville, Virginia.

It’s ok. Certainly nothing fancy but glad to get off the road.

We left at 5:00 a.m. Well actually 4:58 to be precise. Drove for 12 hours although the clock says 13 hours due to the time change. We were in four states: Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. Whew. I only drove for an hour. Richard drove all the rest.

We were extremely lucky today. Before Chattanooga we heard on the radio that part of a bridge fell off onto the road. Thank goodness for us, this occurred on the southbound and we were on the northbound. Traffic on that side was backed up for over 50 miles. Lucky escape.

The best part of our hotel room is looking out the window. We have a ‘room with a view’.

Nite y’all 😴

Gotcha

(Heading Home – Gryffin, Josef Salvat)

Here we go. Last few things put in the Jeep. On the road at 4:58 am.

Will keep you updated as we go along.

Hope everyone has a great April 1.

See y’all.

(All Packed Up – Desmond Star)

It’s hard to believe. We’re packing the Jeep today and leaving tomorrow. And when I say we’re packing the Jeep what I really mean is he’s packing the jeep. Smart move Debi. That’s a much better plan. 

Hey, sound familiar?

I wrote those same words on December 28, 2018. But at that time we were getting ready to leave PEI. Hard to believe three months have passed and now we’re all packed up to return home. Time flies.

Our plan is to be on the road by 5:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. Hopefully good driving weather and not much traffic. Raining here today so 🤞🏼

Not much else to say.

We’ve really enjoyed our Alabama winter and plan to do it again next year. 🙂

Nite y’all 😴

(Pack Your Bags – Johnny Winter)

I finally bit the bullet and started to organize my things for packing. Ugh.

But it’s time. We leave early Monday morning.

Where to start.

After being here for three months I had stuff all over the place: in the closet, in the dresser, in the bedside table, in the spare room, in the bathroom, in the kitchen… And I’m an organized person. Imagine if I wasn’t.

And apparently everything I have decided to multiply. Right? 😉 😉

At least I first got in a gym workout early this morning.

And I was able to take a break from packing to enjoy the sun for a few hours this afternoon.

I think it turned out ok. I have most of my things now ready. Yay!

We’ve also been on the countdown meal wise for the last few days; trying to use what we have. So tonight it’s the leftovers that we had in the freezer. Our choices: Alabama Camp Stew, Chicken Noodle Soup. Chicken Curry, or Macaroni and Cheese.

Tomorrow?

Eating out.

Nite y’all 😴

(Dr. Lucy (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown) – Clark Gesner

First it was Daphne.

Now it’s Fairhope.

https://www.fairhopeal.gov/

We had visited Fairhope February 1st and loved it so much (even though it was freezing cold) that we decided to go again. The weather was now so much warmer.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairhope,_Alabama

There was an interesting article on Fairhope in the New York Times on March 3rd. It started with “A group of populist reformers from up North arrive in Alabama in November 1894 with a radical plan. Their mission: to establish an experimental utopian community inspired by the economist Henry George whose wildly popular book “Progress and Poverty” influenced readers around the world in search of more equitable societies.”

Our first stop was Page and Palette, an independent coffee/bookstore that has stood near the center of town for over 50 years.

The bar and event space hosts eclectic audiences for readings and performances several evenings each week in addition to being a coffee shop. I absolutely love this idea.

The present owner’s grandmother opened Page and Palette as an art supply and bookstore in 1968. The coffee shop and bar/event space was added in 1997.

Who remembers “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”? I do. I do. That’s why this grabbed my attention.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays for the past decade, two longtime residents have operated “Sonya and Nancy’s Friendly Advice” booth inside the coffee shop, sitting behind a wooden booth inspired by Lucy and giving advice for a nickel per customer. They brainstormed this idea a few years ago when the shop was struggling and they wanted to help attract people to help keep it in business. What thoughtful ladies.

Now anyone who knows me knows my intense love of musicals so of course I had to go and try this out. What fun!

What a lovely lady. so personable. She was meant for this. I’m so glad I went and met her. Plus the Chai Latte I had was delicious.

From here we walked maybe 20 steps to The French Quarter.

It was a peaceful yet still busy spot with unique shops, galleries, and eateries. Lots of people were sitting outside and enjoying a meal in the cobblestone courtyard.

After having been to The French Quarter in New Orleans I thought how amazing that Fairhope had one as well. That was until I read the sign that said it was established in 1992. Well sir. Imagine that. Fairhope’s French Quarter mirrors the brick and ironwork, courtyards, and inviting passageways of New Orleans. Not historical like New Orleans but a great idea.

We walked around the town for awhile and then headed back.

Some more photos from Fairhope.

Cute sign outside one of the dress shops. I’m sure this speaks to lots of us. 😉

Nite y’all 😴