December Road Trip

And we're OFF! Off on a December Road Trip that took us to Nashville and Mississippi! While I hate to be away from home in December, we sure had fun! Our route took us through Indiana and Kentucky.

The spirit of the season was present!

Rick, of course had to ride...

...so I took a turn in the historic museum of Munfordville, KY.

I'm not sure the person working there has many visitors and she was delighted to have someone to talk with. So was I!

Here I learned that Kentucky was a divided state in the Civil War and that indeed, brothers did fight brothers.

Nashville was next. First the trade show...

Then a wonderful meet-up with blogger Rosemary and her husband. Rosemary was one of the first of about three or four from my original Google art group that encouraged me to blog! It was the best time!

Once the show wrapped, we enjoyed the honky-tons on Broadway in Nashville.

I loved the lights of the city -- even though it was pouring rain!

And the music was pretty good, too! We spent a lot of time listening to this great group.

No matter where you walked, what window you peered in, there was music. Non-stop!

The next day, with threats of ice storms imminent, we took off for Mississippi to see Rick's youngest, Kevin. We missed the ice but drove through torrential rain.

Kevin lives in Laurel, MS. The town has definitely seen better days, bringing an irony to their slogan.

But the Christmas parade was just what we needed!

I think everyone in the county was on a flat bed (all the queens were in the backs of convertibles.)

Of course there were elves. They had to be a little cold (but not as cold as the cheerleaders!)

It was bitter cold and windy. This guy may have been the warmest.

I especially loved the horse brigade. Here, a spectator hands his child up to ride on one of the horses.

Laurel had a great gift shop and some nice spots that had so much potential. If only the businesses hadn't moved out to strip malls on the highway.

It was fun seeing my guys together. Note, there are leaves on the trees! We haven't had those in Michigan for awhile.

After a great BBQ lunch, we headed back home where Kevin made us jalapeno poppers and other good snacks. (We ordered pizza, too, but we couldn't get a large because Domino's had run out of "large dough." I guess combining two mediums to make a large wasn't in the manual.)

Then we settled in for the MSU/Ohio State game! And it was "victory for MSU," just as the fight song says! (Although there were a few trying moments!)

On our last day we went to nearby Hattiesburg where we enjoyed a brew and great food at the Keg & Barrel. A fun time, despite the rain!

We're home now, up to our eyebrows in shopping, wrapping and finishing up the decorating. I just love this fa la la time of year!

Let the merriment continue!

And let the angels sing!