June 28-July 2, 2026 Spending time with AVA

 Day 1: 

We met Ava at Sky Zone for Hazel's fifth Birthday Party at 4 P.M. The kids enjoyed jumping and playing on all the equipment.

Next, they were served pizza, Cokes, and water, which some devoured quickly while others just nibbled.

Next, they sang Happy Birthday to Hazel Cate. After Hazel blew out all 5 of her candles, the cake was cut and served. There were cupcakes for those who did not want a slice of the strawberry cake. There were dipping dots for everyone. 

Next, Hazel opened all her presents while the kids crowded around to watch. 

After the party, we took Ava home with us.

Day 2:  

I went back to the dentist at 11 A.M., but it was the wrong day. So we rode into town to run errands.

We ate lunch at Captain D's. Ava ordered chicken and fries. I ordered fish and fries, and Hubby ordered salmon, which Ava ate some of.

Day 3: 

I was up early before it got too hot to plant some bulbs. I had to prepare the ground first. 

Ava was still in bed. 

We ate lunch at Cracker Barrel. Ava ordered Chicken fingers and fries. I ordered pinto beans, fried apples, and cornbread. Hubby ordered fried pork chops with creamed potatoes and broccoli. I paid the bill with my Christmas Gift cards for Cracker Barrel.

We went to Sam's Club for ice cream, but their machine was broken, so Ave ordered a Cherry Slushy and a salty pretzel.

We went to the Blue Door, a thrift store, where AVA picked out a couple of pairs of earrings, a pair of shorts, and a T-shirt.

On the way home, we stopped at Foodland. Hubby wanted some banana popcycles. We stopped to talk to Ronnie (Ava calls him Johnnie).

Day 4: 

Today, we rode to the Cooks Museum in Decatur. Ava and I walked through the museum (we have been there several times). The honey bees were back. We saw bats hanging in the cave. I climbed up into the treehouse. We watched the fish swim, and Ava took my photo in front of the jellyfish.

We rode to OH'Bryan's in Hartsell for lunch. I ordered a catfish plate with one piece of fried catfish, a baked sweet potato, coleslaw, onion, and hushpuppies. I could not eat the cole slaw because my mouth was still sore from having 3 teeth pulled.

Hubby ordered one trip to the salad bar, steak, and baked potato.

Ava wanted McDonald's, she ordered a hamburger, Chicken nuggets, fries, and Coke. She ate some of Hubby's steak and two of my hushpuppies.

Day 5: 

I went outside early and heard and saw a red-tailed hawk fly into a nearby tree. 

I went inside to get my camera, but saw him fly away before I could take a photo.

I went back inside to get the keys to the gator and my camera. I was going to ride around to see if I could find the hawk and listen for other birds.

I got on our John Deere Gator, and a red wasp landed on my inner leg and popped me a good one. I went inside to put some medication on the sting.

I went back outside, taking the wasp spray with me. I thought I would get that wasp if it was still flying nearby.

I didn't see it, so I cranked up the gator and out came several red wasps.

I got stung again on the top of my hand.

I sprayed and killed several wasps.

They must have built that nest late yesterday because I rode the gator yesterday.

Everyone, be careful before getting on anything outside, those red wasps could be hiding just waiting to sting you.

Ava wanted to go to the Splash Pad at Heritage Park, so I packed a cooler full of ice and Cokes.

I packed a bag with towels and sunscreen. We both put on our swimsuits.

When we arrived at the splash pad, no one was there, and the water was off. A couple of women were sitting on the sidewalk. They had been on the walking trail.

We asked why the splash pad was closed, and one said it was because of the drought.

So, we rode to Walmart to pick up a few items.

We ate lunch at Arby's. Ava ordered chicken fingers and cheese sticks; I ordered beef and cheese sandwiches; and Hubby ordered a roast beef sandwich, curly fries, and two peach pie rollups.

We rode to McFarland Park so Ava could play on the playground equipment. I walked to the restroom and back. I saw a Great Blue Heron, several Canada Geese, and several waterfowl. Hubby sat in the air-conditioned car, watching AVA. We did not stay long; it was just too hot.

Every day, Ava watched SpongeBob and played in the playroom we set up just for kids.

Nevada came to pick her up around 4 P.M.

She loves to come to our house, but she was ready to go home.

I think she wanted to spend the night with her friend Cloey.

2018 Aug 16, Road to Southaven, MS

Sometimes we plan trips, and sometimes we just go with the flow. Today was a wing-it day.
Hubby had a heart test at 10:30 A.M., which did not take very long.
He said Have you been to the Train Bridge and seen the mural that is being painted?
I said I had been to the Train Bridge many times, but I hadn't been lately.
So off we go to check out the new mural of a train, which I was told is not finished.

Train Bridge Mural


My Hubby said, 'I do not want to go home.' Have you heard of Southaven, MS? I said we have been through there.

My Hubby said, 'I want to go look at an Entegra Class A diesel, and we can get lunch along the way.'

You know, we traveled this same route last week when we went to Little Rock, Arkansas.
We stopped in Corinth, Mississippi, at Cracker Barrel for lunch.

Cracker Barrel Corinth, MS 

Checkerboard at Cracker Barrel 

Lunch Shrimp, Fried Apples with Cornbread! YUM!!

Hubby is eating Pinto Beans, Fried Apples, Cornbread, and Roast Beef.

We traveled west on US 72 to 385, then south on I-55 to Southaven, which is just a short distance from Memphis. We saw countless jets taking off from the Memphis Airport. overhead
We stopped at America's Largest Indoor RV/Marine Showroom at Southaven's RVs.
We looked at two of the Entegra Class A diesel models.
https://www.southavenrv.com/rv/southaven+ms/entegra+classadiesel/4844/entegra+cornerstone+45b

Sitting on display were a couple of Travel Trailers, and I said, "We have come a long way since the beginning of travel." Hubby and I were watching the Travel Channel, and it said that the name "me Travel Trail" didn't come into use for RVs until the 1960s.

We usually don't do much shopping, but today was a wing-it day.
Across the highway was the Tanger Outlet, so off we went.
Mississippi is just as hot in the summer as Alabama. Hubby parked, and we began our journey through the outlets.
I said I would love something cold, so Hubby sat down, took out his cell phone, and started looking for restaurants.
In the meantime, I have spotted Blues Markers and guitars dotted throughout the shopping area, and off I go, taking pictures.

Travel Trailer

Travel Trailer

Tanger Outlets 

Flowers at Tanger Outlets

Birthplace of America's Music Blues. Notice the tarps over the walking areas. 

I take over a hundred pictures when I get a call asking, "Where are you?"
By this time, it is hot, so I stop at a vending machine for a Coke.

Children's Play Area Tanger Outlets 

Splash Pad at Tanger Outlets 

We headed back to the car and began our trip home. It was around 4:30, and traffic was getting heavy.
The GPS bypasses Interstate traffic.
We stop at Jack's in Corinth for dinner, Mapco for gas, and Walgreens
We arrive home around 8:30 P.M.