2025 Dec 5-7, Christmas Tour of Homes Trip to Eufaula, Al with Backroads Tours LLC

 Day 1: Friday, December 5:

Today we traveled to Scottsboro, a two-hour drive. 

We stopped at McDonald's in Huntsville for breakfast, where we bought a sausage and Biscuit, and a Sausage, egg, and Biscuit, and spent $6.74.

We traveled US 72 to Huntsville and then to Scottsboro. We stopped at McDonald's in Scottsboro to use the restroom. 

We boarded the Eagle bus out of Rome, Ga, number 1031 at 7:15 and were on the road by 7:30 A.M. 

We pick up passengers in Fort Payne (8:10 A.M.)and Springfield (9:15 A.M.)

We stopped for a Restroom break at a Travel Center.

We arrived at the Old Mill Kitchen in Opelika at 12:07 P.M.

Old Mill Kitchen Opelika 

Key Lime Pie 

Baked Chicken, creamed potatoes with gravy, Peas, and cornbread.

I ordered baked lemon pepper chicken breast, with field peas & snaps, Mashed potatoes & gravy, cornbread, and for dessert, Key Lime Pie. 

The bus was too tall, and it was raining, so we just stopped for a look at the 

drive-thru Museum of Wonder in Seale. 

Drive-thru Museum

We checked into the Hampton Inn by Hilton Hotel around 3:30 P.M. in room 206. 

At 5:30 P.M., we were served a private welcome dinner at the Shorter Mansion.

Table setting 

Homemade  bread pudding with white Chocolate Sauce 

Salad Spring Mix with fresh fruit and a raspberry vinaigrette 

Smoked pork tenderloin with Jezebel Sauce, green beans, and creamed potatoes

The meal consisted of a salad, pork tenderloin, roasted haricot vert (green beans), baked loaded potato, and chocolate bread pudding. 

Before we sat down to eat, we toured the Shorter Mansion. 

We returned to the hotel around 7:30 P.M., took a hot bath, and went to bed. 

Iphone photos

2153-2157 Old Mill Kitchen Opelika @ 12:07 P.M.

2158-2169 Downtown Opelika at 1:40 P.M.

2170-2177 Drive-Thru Museum of Wonder @2:17 PM

2179-2188 Eufaula @2:50 PM

2192-2248 Shorter Mansion Tour @7:05 PM

2249-2253 Meal at Shorter Mansion @6:05 PM

2272-2274 Hampton Inn at 7:32 P.M.

Steps 8,298, Zone 32, 3.11 Miles, Cal 1,555

Day 2: Saturday, December 6:

I walked to Walmart to buy Hubby a couple of diet Mountain Dews and a white top for myself. And spent $25.47. 

At breakfast at the hotel, I had scrambled eggs with cheese, a biscuit, cream cheese, grape jelly, and apple juice.  

We boarded the bus around 8:30 A.M. and began our tour of eight homes decorated for the holidays.

We had lovely weather up until noon. 

We toured the Stinson House, Fendall Hall, and Gatty-Arnold Home and Kendall-Utley before returning to the Shorter Mansion for a boxed lunch. It contained chicken salad, pasta, broccoli salad, and a cookie with water to drink. 

Getty-Arnold House 

Fendall Hall 

The Stinson House 

It had begun to rain, so everyone returned to the bus to get their raincoats and umbrellas.

We had two more homes to tour. The two homes were close by, but it was pouring rain.

We toured the Martin Cottage and the Bray-Bennet Home, then returned to the hotel to change clothes and rest before heading downtown to shop.

Bray-Benton House 

Martin Cottage 

Kendell- Utley House 

Later that day, we loaded onto the bus and headed to the Church Bazar and downtown shopping. 

The rain had stopped by now.

I bought a small bag of White chocolate pretzels at the Big Mouth Store. 

We returned to the Shorter Mansion for entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, and wine.

It was dark when we returned to the hotel. I took a hot bath and wrote in my journal. 

Iphone photos

2275 Breakfast @7:15 AM

2276 Hampton @ 7:33 AM

2277-2291 Downtown Eufaula @8:50 PM

2297-2328 Toured the Stinson Home @9:13 AM

2329-2379 Toured Fendall Hall @9:54 AM

2380-2381 rode passed the Holy Redeemer church @10:42 AM

2382-2410 Toured Gatty-Arnold House @10:48 AM

2411-2425 rode passed old building with windows out and more homes @11:222 AM

2424-2447 Toured the Kendall-Utley House @11:29 AM

2449-2453 We stopped for lunch at Shorter Mansion at @12:20 PM

2455-2497 Toured the Martin Cottage @1:16 PM 

2498-2518 Toured the Bray-Bennett House @2:06 PM

2519-2525 We rode downtown to the Christian Bazar and downtown shopping at @4:05 PM

2526-2537, we toured Eufaula at 4:22 P.M.

2530-2533 We stopped at Large Mouth Store @7:27 PM

2534-2535 Martin Theatre @5:04 PM

2536-2537 Lights @5:06 PM 

11,169 steps, zone 60, 4.11 miles, cal 1,728

Day 3, Sunday, December 7:

I ate white chocolate pretzels with a Diet Coke for breakfast, which I had bought the night before.

I walked to Walmart, where I bought three Christmas soaps and a large bag of hot chocolate, and spent $29.89.

I gave the soaps to Angie to give away during Bingo.

We loaded onto the bus at 8:15 and were on our way at 8:30 A.M.

Our first stop was a Travel Center in Montgomery, where we spent $10.64.

We stopped to see the town of Spectre, which is a movie set on a private island on Jackson Lake.

During the rainy season, you cannot reach the town of Spectre. We crossed over onto the island after paying an entrance fee. 

Several of our group were trying to throw a pair of shoes on the pole where other shoes were hanging. 

The Movie Town of Spectra, Shoes hanging on line, and goats 

I began walking around, taking pictures, and was returning from the lake when a truck pulled up next to me. I said I was with the bus tour, and he asked me if I wanted a couple of bags of carrots to feed the goats. 

When the goats saw that we had food, they came running. They loved the carrots but would not eat any that were dropped onto the ground. 

We ate lunch at Copper House Deli in Wetumpka, where we bought a Hoogie with a moggie two chip and two diet Cokes, and spent $22.40. 

It was a small restaurant that was usually closed on Sundays but opened just for us. 

After everyone finished eating, we walked around Wetumpka.

The Grinch & Max 

Santa and Reindeer 

Bought 10 silver charmsnand a bottle ottle of Necked Bee lotion, spent $18.48.

I took photos of the historic and Military markers at the courthouse. Took pictures of the town, the Santa and his two reindeer, some metal art, and the Alleyway murals full of art, culture, and the history of Wetumpka. 

Alleyway Murals 

Wetumpka has been the film location of "The Grass Harp" (1995), "The Rosa Parks Story" (2002), and 

"Big Fish"(2003), "Sons of the South" (2019), and HGTV Hometown Takeover (2021). 

The Big Fish 

The Big Fish House used 

Big Fish Movie 

The Rosa Parks Story was filmed at this location 

We played bus bingo on our ride home. 

We began our journey home, stopping in Springfield to drop off several passengers, then in Fort Payne to drop off more.

Finally, we arrived in Scottsboro, loaded everything into our car, and began our journey home. 

We stopped at Krystal in Athens for some Krystal Cheeseburgers and fries.

We ate then on the way home. 

It was late when we arrived home. 

Iphone Photos

2538-3541 Bus and Hampton Inn @6:57 AM

2542-2543 Traveling at 10:31 A.M.

2544-2552 Coosada @11128 AM

2553-2567 Town of Wetaumpka 12:36 P.M.

Canon EOS R6

6636-6686 Town of Spectre @ 12:18 Bigh Fish Movie 

6689-6849 Town of Wetumpka @1:25 PM

8,045 steps, zone 79, 3.01 miles, 1,589 cals 

There were six governors from Barbour County

1. John Gill Shorter

2. Willima D. Jelks 

3. Braxton Bragg Comer 

4. Chauncy Sparks 

5. George C. Wallace

6. Lurleen B. Wallace

The Homes we toured:

1. Shorter Mansion 340 E Eufuala Ave 

2. Bray-Bennett 413 N Randolph St 

3. Wilde-Gray House 703 N Randolph St 

4. The Martin Cottage 119 Shorter St 

5. Fendall Hall 917 W Barber St 

6. Gatty- Arnold House 125 Cherry St 

7. Kendall Utley House 238 Sanford Ave 

8. The Stinson House 148 Anderson Dr.

The Outer Banks Adventure Trip: Day 1-2 Travel and Mount Airy, North Carolina April 27-28, 2025 (The Travel Lady)

 Day 1: Sunday, April 27, depart from Walmart Florence at 6:15 A.M.

We got up at 4:20 A.M., showered, and got ready. We loaded the car.

We stopped at Jack's for Breakfast, where we ordered two pork chops, biscuits with strawberry jelly, and two diet drinks.  

We arrived at Walmart in Florence around 5:30 A.M. and were on the bus by 6 A.M., headed to First Baptist Church, 2100 Springer Road, Lawrenceburg, TN, where we picked up the remainder of our group. 

Our first stop was at Love's in Mount Juliet, TN. 

We stopped for lunch at Cookout. Hubby and I ordered a cheeseburger and onion rings with a Diet Coke. Spent $12.45

Virginia Welcome Center

Around 3:30–4:00 P.M., we will stop at the Virginia Welcome Center in Bristol, VA. 

We stopped again at Love's in Lambsburg, VA, around 5:30 P.M.

The Depot Dobson, NC

Around 6 P.M., we arrived at the Depot at Cody Creek, Dobson, NC, for dinner. 

We had a Sunday Church service in the Chapel. Your speaker talked about the Big Bang theory and the book of Genesis. We walked around the garden taking pictures. 

I ordered pork cutlets, a side salad, macaroni and cheese, and chocolate chess pie for dinner. 

There was a lot of cool art hanging on the walls. 

After dinner, we will depart for our hotel, the Hampton Inn, located at 2029 Rockford St, Mt. Airy, NC, room 222. 

7814- Loves Mt Juliet, TN at 8:56 A.M.

7815 Cookout Knoxville, TN at 12:45 P.M.

7816-40 Virginia Welcome Center Bristol, TN

78410-Loves Lambsbury, VA at 5:31 P.M.

7842-86 The Depot Restaurant Dobson, NC @5:53-6:33 P.M.

Day 2: Monday, April 28, Breakfast and dinner include

Breakfast at the hotel at 6:30 A.M., where I ate an omelet, a cheese bagel, and cranberry juice. 

Load onto the bus with our overnight bags and depart for Mt Airy Squad Car Tours.

We rode in the Squad car in Mount Airy.

Our first stop was the jail, where we rode the squad car. We rode the squad car to the granite quarry, Andy's home, and downtown Mount Airy.

Memories made in Mayberry

At 10 A.M., we visited the Andy Griffith Museum.

Around 11 A.M., we rode downtown to Mount Airy for lunch and shopping.

Hubby and I split a Strawberry Shortcake and Diet Cokes at Miss Angel's Heavenly Pies. 

Around 1 P.M., we depart for Kill Hills, NC.

We will stop at Walmart in Smithville, NC, around 3:45 for a restroom break.

At 3:37 P.M., I spent $10.70 on Diet Mt. Dew and Pepsi, Snacks, candy, and Beef jerky in Smithville, NC.

Dinner

Arrive at Captain George Seafood, 705 Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC, at 6:30 P.M. for a Buffet dinner.

I ordered Salmon, corn on the cob, crab legs, shrimp, butter, and tartar sauce. For dessert, I chose bread pudding, carrot cake, and chocolate cake. 

We headed to our hotel, the Hampton Inn Corolla, located at 333 Audubon Drive, Corolla, NC, around 7:45. Our room was in Room 317.

We arrived around 8:30 P.M. and checked into room 317.

7893 Breakfast at Hampton Inn Mount Airy, NC 7:15 A.M. Room 222

7894 Picture of Andy Griffith in Hotel 7:30 A.M. 

7935-46 Squad car ride 9:30 A.M., Mt Airy

7947-92 Andy Griffith Museum, Mt Airy 10:13–10:42 A.M.

7993-8002 Mt Airy 11:02 A.M. Donna Fargo 7993-7994

8003 Strawberry shortcake 11:20 A.M.

8005-8018 War Memorials Mount Airy 11:46 A.M.

8024-8061 Mount Airy 11:40 

8820-8907 Mount Airy

8908-49 Traveling 

8062-8068 Traveling Outer Banks 

Coach: Starshop Dream Line Journey Provest AL-Batin 

Muscle Shoals, AL

Driver: Steve 

2024 Feb 4-10, Five-Day Carnival Valor Cruise to Cozumel and Progresso, Mexico (5 Day Crusie) Cozumel, (Mexico) Pregresso (Yucatan) 3 Sea Days

 Sunday, Feb. 4: Travel to Slidell, LA.

We stopped at Jack's for breakfast, where we enjoyed gravy, sausage, and biscuits, and then at Murphy's in Petal, MS, to fill up on gas.

We stopped at McDonald's for some pies and used the restroom.

We checked in at Hampton Inn by Hilton Slidell, LA, room 213, and then went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. I ordered grilled chicken and a baked sweet potato with rolls, while My Hubby ordered a Caesar salad, steak, and a baked potato.

Grilled chicken and baked sweet potato

We returned to the hotel, where we met a man unloading his car. He asked us if we were cruising with Carnival. I think he saw the Carnival luggage tag on my carry-on baggage. He and his wife were from Birmingham, AL. He said they had been cruising since the 90s. They had been on about 30 different cruises on different ships. We saw them leave the following day.  

Monday, Feb 5, Travel to New Orleans 

Ate breakfast at the hotel with 2 waffle rounds with whipped cream, sausage, and cranberry juice. 

Checked out of the hotel and headed to New Orleans around 10 A.M. 

Paid for parking at Erato St Cruise Terminal $125

We parked the car and walked to the elevator for the boarding process. For lunch, we ate at Guy's Burgers. 

And ordered a cheeseburger and fries. Our room, 6434, was ready by 1:30 P.M. 

The ship left port around 3:30 P M. Let the party begin. 

It was too cold on the Lido Deck, so everyone met in the American Lobby. 

The Crimson Trio 

We listened to the Crimson Trio in the American Lobby. 

We ate dinner in the Lincoln Room. I ordered a shrimp cocktail, a crawfish strudel (savory baked phyllo, sweet corn remoulade), Szechuan Shrimp (scallions, garlic, angel hair noodles, peppers, and bok choy), and a cheesecake with strawberry sauce. 

We sat next to a couple from Washington state. Said they lived on an island and watched cruise ships come up the Pacific Ocean. 

We also sat next to a mother and daughter from Columbus, Mississippi. 

Tuesday, Feb 6, Sea Day 

Watched the sun come up from my balcony. 

sunrise

At the Omelet Station, I ordered a made-to-order loaded omelet with bacon and a side of chocolate milk for breakfast.

9:00 A.M. made two necklaces at Creativity at Sea in the American Lobby. 

We attended the Fun Ashore Giveaway at 10:30 in the Ivanhoe Theatre, but unfortunately, we didn't win anything. 

Lunch was at the Mongolian Wok, where I ordered shrimp stir-fried veggies.

Mongolian Wok Asian flavor, your stir-fried rice noodles,  veggies, sauce, and shrimp (double) cooked in unique culinary creations. 

I met a woman from Louisiana who was passionate about Mongolian food. She had several food bowls available for crew members because they didn't have time to wait in line.

Took a long nap.

Dinner at the Lincoln Diner, where I ordered Herb-crusted salmon with asparagus, sweet potatoes, and a shrimp cocktail, as well as Carnival's Chocolate Melt Cake with Ice cream. 

We sat next to the mother and daughter from Columbus, Mississippi, again. 

We visited the VIP Show at 7:00 P.M. in the Ivanhoe Theater. 

Wednesday, Feb 7, Cozumel 

Breakfast in Lincoln. Dinner ordered waffle, omelet, sausage, and water. 

Went ashore in Cozumel around 9:00 A.M.

We walked around to several shops and bought Ron a pair of Crocs. 

Took several pictures. Walked up the street to Margaritaville, where we ate lunch. 

We ordered three tacos, one Pepsi, and a Sunrise Margarita. We walked back to our port area, stopping to take several pictures of the Coral Reef display. 

Stopped to take pictures in front of a couple of donkeys at the 3 Amigos. 

I had dinner in the Washington Dining Room, where I ordered a Shrimp cocktail, Chicken, Veggies, and a chocolate melt cake with ice cream. 

We listened to the Crimson Trio in the American Lobby. 

Chac Mool ("Red Claw") 

Thursday, Feb 8, Progresso 

Breakfast: Omelet, bacon, pastry, and Chocolate milk. 

All-inclusive Shore Excursions are at 9 A.M. and will take you to Mi Casa Es Su Casa Private Beach, your way. 

Back on the ship by 3:30 P.M. 

Lunch consisted of avocado dip, chips, a pina colada, and Coke. We watched our host make the dip using Mangoes and tomatoes. Cilantro, salt, pepper, and avocados.

Dinner: Stuffed mushrooms, Fried Mississippi Catfish(cornmeal-crusted), spinach, mac & cheese, tartar sauce, and a banana split. 

Excursions to a private beach with around 40 people took place on a bus with 2 children. A nine-year-old named Sabrina. Our host prepared a delicious lunch for us, which included Mexican Avocado dip, chicken tacos, and more. We had a bartender who mixed drinks. I ordered a Pina Colada and my Hubby a margarita, both virgin. 

I walked along the beach, and the water was cold. Monday, a storm had come through with 50 MPH winds, so the water was a little choppy and dirty. Not many people went into the water. Most everyone sat in beach chairs, and some under umbrellas. Lunch was served around 10:30 A.M. 

Around 10:30-11, we heard a mother call out  Sabrina, where are you?

She was nowhere to be found. Everyone joined in the search for Sabrina up and down the beach, inside the house. Going from one neighbor's house to another. A neighbor called the police. Five showed up at the beach. A detective went along the coast, circling Sabrina's footprints. Neighbors called their friends, and several reported seeing a small girl walking up the beach, crying. 

She had walked about 1 1/2 to 2 miles up the beach to the nearby hotel. When they found her, she said, "I thought my family had left me, so I walked back to the ship. You could see the boat from the beach. 

They took her to the hospital to be checked out for dehydration. 

The family was returned to the beach house, where everyone enjoyed eating and drinking the rest of the day. 

Everyone was so proud to see the little girl, Sabrina.

I overheard the mother ask Sabrina about her adventure, but she said, "I don't want to discuss it." 

The mother's feet were covered in scratches from running through the thickets while searching for Sabrina. 

Everyone loaded onto the bus and began our journey back to the ship. Thank God we were able to return with everyone. 

We were back on the ship by 3:30 P.M. The ship's departure time was scheduled from 3:30 to 4:00 P.M., but we didn't leave until almost 5:00 P.M. because a bus carrying a group of people was running late returning from an excursion. 

The bus drove straight to the ship, letting people off at the boarding area. This was a very eventful day. 

Welcome to Yucatan

Friday, Feb 9, Sea Day 

Breakfast with Doctor Seuss' Cat in the Hat, thing one, thing two, in the Lincoln Dining room.

Hubby ordered Green eggs with ham and funny Belgian Waffles. I just ordered Funny Belgian Waffles with Moose Juice.

At the Ivanhoe Theater, we created a bulldog and an elephant out of towels and purchased the Towel Art Book. 

Lunch was #6 Cuban Mixto: a roasted pork, ham, yellow mustard, Swiss cheese sandwich, accompanied by 3 cookies and vanilla ice cream. 

Bought Build-A-Bear for St Jude on the Lido Deck. 

Hubby took a long nap while I watched TV.

Ate a salad for dinner. 

We watched 90s music and We Are the World in the Ivanhoe Theater. 

We did the Debark process in the Carnival App.

funny Belgian Waffles

Saturday, Feb 10, Travel Home

Breakfast Lido Deck 9 Omelets, chocolate milk, pastry. 

Waited for our app to tell us when to embark. 

We went through the immigration process, loaded our car, and started heading home. 

We stopped in Petal, MS, to fill up with fuel. 

Stopped at the Welcome Center  for a break

Ate lunch at Cracker Barrel in Meridian, MS

I ordered Fried Shrimp, Pinto Beans, cornbread, chow, and tartar sauce. 

I bought some chocolate candy and a shirt for Hubby. 

It began to rain in Russellville and continued to rain all the way home.