✈️✈️✈️2005 ~ Friday February 18-21 Mall of America in Minnesota

Day 1: Friday, February 18, 2005

A shopping trip to the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with my granddaughter and daughter-in-law.

I drove my Saturn LS to Nashville, Tennessee, where we stopped and spent the night at a Red Roof Inn. 

We stopped for dinner at Subway in Loretta, Tennessee, on our way to Nashville.

I ordered a Turkey Sandwich and water. 

Day 2: Saturday, February 19, 2005

The next morning, we loaded the LS Saturn and headed to Nashville Airport. 

Our flight left Nashville, TN, at 7:45 A.M., arriving in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at 10:15 A.M. 

On the plane, we were served snacks; I ordered a Diet Coke and a granola bar. 

When we arrived at the Saint Paul International Airport, we went to a kiosk. 

When we entered our hotel confirmation number, it was to let the hotel know we had arrived.

A shuttle van was sent to the airport to pick up passengers staying at their hotel. 

We arrived at Country Inn & Suites at Mall of America, the driver unloaded our bags, and we tipped him.

Country Inn & Suites at Mall of America & T.G.I. Friday's

Sitting on the counter was a large cookie jar filled with freshly baked cookies.

I ate four!

The room we were staying in was not ready, so the hotel desk clerk said we could store our luggage in a closet.

We walked next door to eat lunch at T.G.I. Fridays. (There was a door connected on Fridays to the Comfort Inn.)

I ordered a half-sandwich, a salad, and water.  

After eating lunch, we walked back to the hotel, took our luggage upstairs, and changed clothes.

We took the shuttle van to the Mall of America, where we shopped all day. 

My daughter-in-law bought my granddaughter several new items of clothing.  

I went to the Franklin Planner store and bought some paper, a hole punch, and picture sheets for my Franklin Planner.

For supper, we ate at"Bubba Gump."
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in the Mall of America

I ordered shrimp with garlic bread.  

We looked around in "Bubba Gump's" gift shop, but we did not buy anything.

One of the cool things about Bubba Gump's is that on every table, you see car tags. The tags say: "Stop Forrest Stop" or "Run Forrest Run"!

"Stop, Forrest, Stop" 

"Run Forrest Run"

The stop tag means you want to be waited on. The run tag means I am fine, I do not need to be waited on!

For dessert, we ordered a vanilla ice cream cone from McDonald's.

We took the shuttle van back to the hotel and thanked the driver with a tip.

We walk upstairs to put on our swimsuits and head for the pool and the hot tub.

Day 3: Sunday, February 20, 2005

I am an early riser, so early the next morning when I awoke, I looked outside, and it had SNOWED!

I shook my granddaughter and said Wake up! "

There was about a foot of new snow that had fallen on the ground. We both put on warm clothes and headed downstairs. 

We walked outside into the newly fallen snow and began making snowballs and throwing them at each other.

I took a few pictures, and we walked back inside, where both my granddaughter and I ate breakfast.

I ate oats, bananas, and water. 

We took the elevator back upstairs, showered, and then walked in the snow to the mall. 

My daily routine is to walk 2 miles. 

The mall is open for walkers, not shoppers, at this time of the morning.

It was cool walking around without crowds of people shopping. 

The only people who were in the mall were walkers and cleaners. 

The two upper levels were closed off to walkers.s

My daughter-in-law slept late that morning.

She met us at the merry-go-round at 10:00 A.M. 

For lunch, we ate at Subway and bought an ice cream cone at McDonald's.

We ordered a pizza, with potato poppers, Cokes, and cookies at Tucci Benucch Italian Restaurant Tropical.  

Tucci Benucch Classic Italian Food and Wine

After supper, we walked to the Rain Forest gift shop.
Rainforest Cafe Mall of America

I bought Hubby a pair of glow-in-the-dark shorts and a keychain. 

I bought myself a pair of monkey PJs, and two stuffed animals: a lion and a leopard.

I also bought a Mall of America T-shirt for myself.

At the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park at the Mall of America, we bought all-day tickets.

Some of the rides we rode were the ferry's wheel, the Log Chute, the SpongeBob simulator, the Ripsaw Roller Coaster, and we walked through the haunted house. Later that day, I called my son.

Nickelodeon-Universe Mall of America

Day 4: Monday, February 21, 2007 

For breakfast, I ate oats, toast with peanut butter, a pack of MM&M's, and drank a Diet Coke.

I worked out in the weight room on four machines and rode a bicycle for 10 minutes.

I walked back to our room and packed. 

We are going home today.

We took the shuttle van back to St Paul International Airport, checked in, went through security, and headed for our departure gate.

My daughter-in-law and my granddaughter ate breakfast at McDonald's.

I sat in seat 13-B on flight NW1174. Our departure time was 10:24 A.M., and our arrival time in Nashville was 12:25 P.M.

I sat next to Chad Anderson on the plane.

We struck up a conversation, and he told me that he was going to the 3-M plant in Decatur, Alabama. 

He said, My daughter is getting married in Hawaii, and I will join her there. 

He said it takes at least ten days to vacation in Hawaii. 

I told Mr. Anderson about Hubby and my love for history and genealogy.

Our landing was smooth; everyone grabbed their luggage.

I said goodbye to Mr. Anderson, and we all boarded the plane.

Each person was going in a different direction.

I had parked my LS Saturn in the pay garage. We loaded our luggage into my car and headed to Alabama. 

We stopped in Cool Springs at a McDonald's, where I ordered a grilled McChicken and water. 

I drove through Columbia, Tennessee, at 3:30 P.M.

I took my daughter-in-law and granddaughter home. 

When I got home, I ate a half peanut butter sandwich, half a bag of popcorn, an ice cream sandwich, and two grapes.  

On the plane, I had eaten a bag of pretzels and drank a cup of Diet Pepsi.

Hubby was not home from work yet, so I checked my email. 

That night I was so tired that I slept like a log.

Another adventure, and many other adventures to come!

While in the Mall of America, I took a picture of the Shakyamuni Buddha Mandala Indian Art. 

A little history of the Image:

Before they begin making the Mandala, they hold an opening ceremony with chants, music, and mantra recitation.

Mandala

Part of the sand is given to the public.

Dispersing the blessed sand gives people a reminder of the occasion and spreads the blessing. Then it becomes a global healing. 

The monks' tour, known as the Mystical Arts of Tibet, aims to raise funds for food, education, and medical care for Tibetans.

Flight

February 18-21, 2005, Trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota

Flight NWA 0121577694267 – 4MD7BW 

Leave Nashville International Airport (BNA) at 7:45 A.M. 

Arrive (MSP) Minneapolis St Paul International Airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota at 10:15 A.M.

Return flight seat 13B on flight NW 1174 

Leave Minneapolis St Paul International Airport (MSP) at 10:24 A.M. 

Arrive at Nashville International Airport (BNA) at 12:25 P.M.

2005 ~ Friday, September 23, School trip to Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo Tupelo, MS

2005~ September 23 Tupelo, MS

Friday, September 23, 2005 

I went on a class field trip with my granddaughter from Mars Hill Bible School to the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo in Tupelo, MS.

All the school children had to ride the school bus. 

My daughter and I rode with some of the other parents that drove.

All the school children wore red shirts with the words Panthers Mars Hill Bible School Florence, Alabama printed on the front of them.

We first walked through the petting zoo were we saw rabbits, turkeys, pigmy goats, potbelly pigs, Lucy the miniature cow, goats, miniature ponies, deer, cows, buffalo, (the kids fed some of these animals).

We also saw the colorful, large, long tail Macaw, and we saw the Leadbetter’s Cockatoo or Pink Cockatoo from Australia. 

Some of the animals that cannot be touched are the bandit the black bear, Kiki the African Lion, Ozzie the BAL Python, Oliver the Monkey, and Gypsy the cougar. 

We also saw Joe the camel, big john the buffalo, tallboy and patches the giraffe, Zeke, and Zelda the Zebras. 

We saw the North American Black Bear and a sign in front of his cage that read.

Heigh:t on all fours 3-4ft - standing 4-7 ft. 

Length: 4-6ft

Lifespan: Up to 25 years

Weight: Male 425 lb..-Female, 200 lb.

Mating: late June and early July

Gestation: about 7 months

Diet: fruits, nuts, veggies, bread, meat

Colors: Pure black, Cinnamon, blond.

The Black bear’s name is deceptive: It is a species name only and does not refer to color. Black bears have a highly developed sense of smell. Exceptional hearing average eyesight. Their mood is indicated by the position of their head: Walking with their head below their shoulders is a sign of aggression.

Another sign about Coatimundi:

Weight:17-12 lb.

Length: Head & body 16-26 inches — tail 12-27 inches

Range: Arizona to Argentina

The Coatimundi has short forelegs and long hinges, it walks with a bear-like gait and uses its nose to investigate crevices.

The teachers lead the children to the bleachers where they were seated to watch the Chickasaw Indians perform.

The Chickasaw Indians were dressed in vivid colors, with painted faces, and wearing a headdress of many colorful feathers.

There were three Chickasaw Indians dancing and playing drums and were wearing exquisite Pheasant feathers headdress.

After their performance, the school children were invited to join in the dancing. 

Some of the school children and parents got their pictures made with the colorful dressed Chickasaw Indians.

There were many vendor tents set up where the children could buy souvenirs. My granddaughter bought a flute, a rabbit's foot and he cousin bought a slushy. 

We walked up to the electric fence where we saw the bison and the great white buffalo, “TUKATO,”. There were also giraffes wander in the woods behind the electric fence.

The school children ate lunch after they used the restrooms and washing our hands in the large outdoor sink.

When the school children finished eating lunch they played on the playground.

After the kids ate lunch and saw all the animals they were headed back to the school buses and the parents loaded into personal vehicles. 

We headed home. 

Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo 2272 North Coley Road Tupelo, MS 38803 662-844-870, or info@tupelobuffalopark.com

Rates are Adults $10.00 

Children under twelve was $8.00

Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo

Family rate two parents and up to four children $29.95

1960 ~ Trip to the Brimingham Zoo with my siblings Summer

Teresa was the baby of the family, about six months old, with red curly hair that becomes very unruly when she gets too hot. 

While we were walking through the zoo, I remember hearing a woman say to my mother, "What a cute redheaded baby girl you have."

I remember that it was a very hot summer, and we were all dressed in our shorts and short-sleeved tops. 

My siblings ranged in age from 10 months to 10 years. 

The Birmingham Zoological Park opened in 1955 and covered 50 acres with six exhibits. 

"Monkey Island" was filled with monkeys of all kinds, climbing on rocks, swinging in trees, and just having fun. 

We spent several hours just watching the monkeys play.

There was an elephant house, a bear moat, a birdhouse, a snake pit, and a sealed pool.  

http://www.birminghamzoo.com

When we left the zoo, we stopped at a country store to buy lunch, which was our dining out.

Dad would find a country store that carried stick bologna. 

He would have the store clerk slice just enough bologna for each of us kids to have a sandwich. 

He would also buy bread, potato chips, and sodas for our picnic.

Then we would search for a rest area with picnic tables in the shade, and that is where we would eat.

We did not have cell phones, Nintendo DS, or any handheld games to play.

Our games were made-up games.

We would read car tags to see what state they were from. 

When we were growing up, all tags looked the same except for the ID number; each state had its own unique color and motto.

Today, many people own specialty car tags, and when you see them, you have no idea what county, state, or even country they are from.

Billboard watching and repeating the jingles of the advertisement was a fun game.

We did not fuss, fight, or complain while traveling as children do today, because if we did, our dad would stop the car, break a limb off a tree, and whip us.

Teresa age 6

 My baby sister, a few years later

Sunrise, Sunset

Sunset Gulf Shores, Alabama

 

 Sun crackles in the blue reserved hill.
One lone leaf glitters eerily in the chill.
The sky looks gorgeous from my window sill.

Sunset Marathon, Florida

The vastness of the hill country in a leaf
Dances beyond the span of all belief,
The splendor of its memory is brief.

Sunset Glencoe, Alabama

You may not want to hear it when I say
The Earth is in the twilight of its day.
The depth of it is drinking us away.

Sunset, Mexico Beach, Florida

A cloud is a distant parchment in the sky.
Today's boat is a shadow sailing by.
Minutes will never catch it, though they try.

Apollo Beach Florida

I wish it could be every sunset, Friend,
That fey instant before all colors blend,
Dusk held at the crescendo of its end.

Sunrise in an Airplane near Baltimore, MD

The title poem of my book, Ever Sunset, Skylark Publications, India

Sandra Fowler :

✈️✈️✈️2002 ~ May 29-June 6, Trip to Key West, Florida

Day 1: May 29, 2002

Teresa, Rick, Rebecca, Dad, and I flew from Huntsville, Alabama, to Atlanta, Georgia.

We flew from Atlanta, Georgia, to Miami, Florida, where my sister picked us up and drove us to her house in Marathon.

We stopped at Burger King for lunch.

After lunch, we stopped and walked along the Ocean and the Gulf.

My sister's house was along the waterfront, 10 feet from the inlet.

In this area, boats were docked, allowing visitors to fish and swim.

My sister cooked a seafood dinner, and we walked down to the beach after dinner.

We picked up seashells and watched the setting sun.

Sunset in Marathon 

Spiny lobster

Day 2: May 30, 2002

We went to one of the small islands in the Ocean and were dropped off with a picnic basket full of food and a cooler.

While we explored the island and ate lunch, the men left in the boat.

When the men returned to the boat, the tide had begun to come in. The island was covered with water, but it was too shallow for the ship to land, so we had to swim out to the boat with our basket and cooler.

The men caught some fish, a Spiny lobster, and a small shark. 

We had lobster for supper and fresh coconut from their yard, which Rick struggled to open.

The carapace of Panulirus Argus is subcylindrical and bears many strong, forward-facing spines. 

A pair of rostral horns projects forward over the stalked eyes. 

Whip-like antennae are longer than the body and are studded with small spines and setae. Antennules are also elongated, extending approximately two-thirds of the body length. 

The abdomen is notched along its lateral margins but is otherwise smooth. 

Each segment of the abdomen has a transverse groove that is disrupted at the midline. 

Two pairs of biramous uropods flank the central telson. 

The body color is varied but generally a gray or tan base color mottled with shades of green, red, brown, purple, or black. 

The second and sixth segments of the abdomen have large yellow or white ocillaria, with smaller ocillaria scattered dorsolaterally along the abdomen. Legs are striped longitudinally in a dull blue color. Dactyls of the walking legs are setose. Pleopods are bright orange and black. 

The endopodites in female pleopods are well-developed and hook-like, bearing many setae. In juveniles, the antennae and pereiopods are banded white, and a broad white stripe runs the length of the dorsal midline across both the carapace and abdomen.

The island, where we had a picnic

Day 3: May 31, 2002

We went snorkeling in the Ocean, where the water was shallow at one point and over our heads at the next point.

We saw many unusual seashells, but could not bring the live shells out of the Ocean.

We walked along the 7-mile bridge, which was featured in the movie True Lies.

The highway included the Seven Mile Bridge, the Bahia Honda Bridge, and the Long Key Bridge (although these three original bridges are no longer open to vehicular traffic, except for part of the Seven Mile Bridge, they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are currently used as fishing piers).

The 7-mile bridge spans a channel between the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Strait.

The new bridge is known as the Overseas Highway (US 1).

Movies made on the Old Highway are 2 Fast 2 Furious, License to Kill, Up Close and Personal, and True Lies.

We saw the Marquesa Hotel, located at 600 Fleming St, Key West, Florida.

Seven Mile Bridge

Day 4: June 1, 2002

We visited the Tropical Crane Point Hammock Crane Point History Museum, where you can feed the fish and interact with hands-on sea creatures. We also visited Los Niños de Los Cayos, an interactive vessel complete with pirate clothing and treasures.

Crane Point, MM 50.5, Bayside, 5550 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL

Phone: (305) 743-9100

Here we also saw:

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Kemp's Riley Sea Turtle

Leatherback Sea Turtle

1. The Loggerhead turtle weighs approximately 200 kg and is characterized by reddish-brown markings.

2. The Hawksbill turtle is a small, beautifully patterned turtle that weighs approximately 50 to 100 kg.

3. Kemp's Riley Turtle is the smallest and most endangered sea turtle. It has an oval, olive-green shell and weighs about 50 kg.

4. The leatherback turtle is the largest of the sea turtles. It has no shell but leathery skin with raised stripes.
It can reach over a meter in length and weigh about 700 kg.

All sea turtles are protected because they are classified as Endangered.
Their numbers are reduced because of human activity, such as capturing or killing adults for food and their shells, taking eggs, the destruction and pollution of nesting beaches, ocean pollution, and being caught up in fishing nets.

We took many trails in the park, and it was a very hot day.

Teresa and Rick Milberger walked ahead, and Paula and Becky returned to the museum because the mosquitoes were biting them.

After walking the trail, Dad wanted to cool off, so he asked me if it was okay to put his feet in the water.

The next thing I knew, he called for help, for he had lost his balance and fallen into the water.

I knew I could not pull him out by myself, so I called out for Rick and Teresa, and they came running.

Rick pulled Dad out of the water. When he found them, his glasses had fallen into the water. 

They were broken, and he was dripping wet.

This was another wild adventure with my family.

Tropical Crane Point Hammock, Crane Point History Museum 

Tropical Crane Point Hammock, Crane Point History Museum 

Day 5: June 2, 2002

We rode the Henry Pigeon Express to the Overseas Railroad, which Henry Flagler built from 1912 to 1935. It is the eighth wonder of the world.

Pigeon Key Museum—Located on Pigeon Key, where Flagler railroad workers lived, this museum houses memories of the railroad's construction. The museum is actually a restored home where several families lived during the construction era and throughout the years. Today, hundreds of postcards and early photos of the island are displayed inside the house. A display model of the Seven Mile Bridge details the construction process.

MM 47, Oceanside, Marathon, FL

Phone: (305) 743-5999

Henry Pigeon Express 

Day 6: June 3, 2002

We took the Old Town Trolley Tours of Key West - Old Town Trolley's 90-minute tour covers more than 100 points of interest, and passengers can enjoy the tour at their own pace. At any point, passengers may get off at any of the routine stops to shop, dine, or sightsee, then re-board another trolley later.

Mallory Square, Key West, FL

Phone: (305) 296-6688

After the trolley tour, we walked to Ernest Hemingway's home, located at 907 Whitehead St, Key West, Florida 33041.

Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote for more than 10 years.

We walked past the cruise ship Enchantment of the Seas, which was docked in Key West. Florida

We stopped at many of the shops along the way, where I:

Bought postcards of:

The Hemingway House Key West

Key West- The Conch Republic Southernmost Point Continental USA Key West, FL.

Key West Lighthouse

Teresa, Rick, and Becky walked up to the Key West Lighthouse, and I walked through "The Keeper's Quarters' Museum."

The lighthouse is at 938 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040.

We walked to the Southernmost Point in Key West.

South Street in Key West, Florida, is 90 miles from Cuba. Point 1.

Before leaving the Florida Keys, we enjoyed a lovely meal at

Margaretville Café is located at 500 Duval Street, Key West, Florida 33040 

Hemingway House Key West Postcard

Key West Lighthouse Postcard

Southernmost Point Postcard

Margaretville Café

Day 7: June 4, 2002

We loaded into my sister's truck, and she drove us to Miami International Airport, where we boarded a flight to Atlanta International Airport, then to Huntsville International Airport, and finally back home on the road.

May 29-June 6, 2002, Miami, Florida, Delta Airlines

Delta Flight DL378

Leave 6:40 A.M. Huntsville International Airport (HSV) Seat 28E gate 6-ticket ticket 1 006-2198887297 4 LG6JHFN.

Arrive at Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Leave Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Arrive at Miami International Airport (MIA)

Return Flight

Leave Miami International Airport (MIA)

Arrive at Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Leave Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Arrive Huntsville International Airport (HSV)