This past weekend we decided to take a trip to Georgia to see our friend Grace. We met Grace during our assignment in Belgium. She was involved at the Entertainment Center and that is where we met. We got a little closer when Grace and her husband George took the same trip to Russia that I worked as an Escort for my job there. I always had a good time when Grace was around!
When we left Belgium, it was the people we missed most. Knowing that many of the people we had grown to love would likely never cross our paths again was really hard. So when we learned that Grace was spending some time with her family in Georgia (only six hours away by car) while in transit to her final destination in Nevada we asked if we could visit. Grace seemed pleased by the idea so we went ahead with it.
We arrived in Tifton in Southern Georgia early in the afternoon. Grace had suggested we call when we got into town and she would talk us to her Mama's house. Well, we came in a different way than expected, but Mary Nola (Grace's Mama) was able to 'talk us in.' Honestly, it was a good thing we got held up by a train passing because, while accurate, Mary Nola's directions were very detailed and highly amusing. My favorite? "...then you'll come to a Stop sign. The Post Office is there on the left, but you can't see it." I giggled the rest of the way to the house!
Our first day there, we stayed at the house and visited with Grace and her Mama. The house and garden were just lovely and we enjoyed the tour we were given. We were given the only guest room, where we found a lovely basket to welcome us. Grace's niece helped her get some typical Tifton souvenirs so the basket was filled with peanuts, peanut rolls, peanut logs, peanut crickle (are you sensing a theme here?) as well as Tifton postcards, hatpins, bookmarks, brochures, cups, pencils, pens, note pads, travel soaps, and plastic bags. I'm sure there was more that I will remember later. Wasn't that a kind thing to do? Now we will think of Grace and her family every time we use one of the items they gave us.
Dinner that night was delicious. Grace and her mother collaborated to provide a sumptuous meal of steak, sauteed onions, brocolli salad, potato salad, and deviled eggs. We were joined for the meal by Grace's sister Nola and Mary Nola's friend Betty. Betty brought homemade peach ice cream for dessert. Yum! The company was great and we enjoyed the meal immensely.
Sunday was a leisurely morning followed by a trip to the Okefenokee Swamp with Grace and Nola. Upon arrival, Grace and Nola walked over to a flower bed on the side of the Welcome Center. There was a big sign saying "Alligators may be dangerous" on the fence. Just as they reached the grassy area, Grace nudged her sister's shoulder from behind and Nola screamed. None of us had any idea what was going on until a few seconds later when an alligator came walking out from behind the sign! It didn't bother us, but walked slowly to the water and waded in. I'm sure we'll giggle about that for months.
We went inside and Tom got us all combination tickets for the Train Tour and the Boat Tour. We had to hurry to make the train as we would have to wait two hours for the next one! We saw both tours then walked along the boardwalk where we saw TWO baby alligators swimming in the swampwater. Apparently with babies that small, one can expect the mama gator to be nearby. We looked, but we didn't see her. Later we saw a very well camouflaged gator in a pond. It had so much green gunk on it one barely realized it was there! Lots of gators are there in the Okenfenokee, that's for sure! We also saw a reptile show that was very informative and fun. Nola was frightened of the critters, so the whole audience got a giggle when the wrangler walked among the crowd with a snake and she leaned way back away from it. He was very kind and moved right along. Nola was completely relaxed when he was showing the snake to the folks behind her. Then the whole audience laughed out loud when the wrangler gently touched Nola's shoulder. The poor woman screamed (again). At the end of the show, he called Nola to the front and put his hands over her shoulders while holding a baby gator. Nola was a good sport about it all, but she sure looked nervous!
The next day we had a wonderful breakfast of sawmill gravy and biscuits, scrambled eggs, orange juice and fruit salad. Naturally, Tom didn't eat (he rarely does -- except on Sunday mornings when he makes fabulous omelets for us both) and Mary Nola was surprised that a man with a healthy appetite skips breakfast. I don't get it either, but he has always done so. Not one of us finished what was put on our plates! Afterward, we went to visit Agrirama - an open air museum. Sadly, it was closed on Mondays, so all we got to see was the Peanut Museum and the Welcome Center. At the Welcome Center, we were given peanuts as we entered. Grace noticed the big picture of the outline of the state of Texas on the wrapper and asked why they were giving us peanuts from Texas. The man actually produced packages of Georgia peanuts from under the counter! We really enjoyed the visit and were glad of the opportunity to do it.
We stopped at Grace's favorite BBQ place for lunch before returning to her Mama's place to pick up our stuff and head on home. We wish Grace lots of luck and happiness on her Big Adventure in the Great American West -- but always know you can come home when the mood strikes!
Above is Tom at the Okefenokee Swamp earlier this month, and to the left he is looking at a book with our grandson, Ryan, in May. 
