Missouri Bound

Why travel three or more times to Missouri each year?  Grandchildren.  Our middle son and wife live in Harrisonville, MO with four most delightful children.  We decided that we would not let distance be an excuse for not being active grandparents in their lives especially when C. snuggles close as we leave and asks, "Dede, when will I see you again?"  Lord willing, within three months. 

Each time we go we take a different path and discover new places and return to favorites along the route.  Come join us October 2011.

Our first new stop was Boston Barbeque in Boston, GA, a delightful village 33 miles west of Valdosta and I-75, two blocks south of U.S. HWY 84.   David had the brisket, served only on Wednesday and Saturday, and I had the pork.  His brisket sandwich has set the gold standard for all future brisket sandwiches.  All the food was delicious and the owner showed David the smoker and talked know-how.  We now have a new smoker in our barbeque hut in the backyard. 

                                                                   
Boston was founded in 1837 as a stagecoach stop but before that Indians used the area as a hunting ground and today game is still plentiful in the region for hunters.  Don't miss this icon for small town America. 
Back on HWY 84 we stopped at Dillon Candy Factory which has been in business since 1918 and ships worldwide.   We had the most delicious peanut and pecan brittle. 

The Thomasville Farmers Market was our next stop.  You would think we would not be able to eat again, but we can't pass the The Market Diner (502 Smith Avenue - 229-225-1777) with their wonderful buffet of vegetables and fried chicken and pot roast.  I mean when will we see southern veggies again on our trip?  Before us were collard greens, turnip greens, black-eyed peas, chowder peas, lady peas, field peas, creamed corn, lima beans, green beans, rutabagas, okra and tomatoes, sweet potato casserole, cabbage, rice, mashed potatoes, corn bread and mac and cheese plus a salad and dessert bar with banana pudding and cobblers.  Oh yes, we stopped and waddled out.   The Farmers Market next door has fresh produce and homemade pickles and jellies available but our favorite stop for such is up the road a piece.

Picture taken from their website

Mark's Melon Patch, west of Albany, on HWY 520 where fresh produce and homemade jellies and pickles are available.   

Homemade peach ice cream when in season.  Oh yes, a must stop.

Gramp's Camp

At last we arrive at our destination for the next two nights.  Gramp's Camp on Lake Martin, Alabama and a visit with R. and B., David's brother and wife, who inherited along with her sisters this rustic cabin with memories of laughter and family lore.  It sleeps 17 and has two flushing toilets.  Who could ask for more? 

The four of us toured the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, a U.S. National Park.  In the spring of 1814 General Andrew Jackson lead an army to attack the Creek Indians on the Tallapoosa River.  Over 800 red sticks died that day.  This victory later lead to the Creek Indians ceding 20 millon acres which became the state of Alabama.  The victory of this battle plus the Battle of New Orleans led to the fame of Andy Jackson and his bid for the presidency.

We said good-bys in Anniston while visiting with cousin M.A. who gave us two pecan pies to carry along the way since R and B left without theirs. Her recipe is the best. She says it is the syrup which is made in the town where she grew up, and their maternal Jones grandmother grew up - Fayette, Alabama. The syrup is the key.

Picture from the website

This recipe makes 3 pies. Make all three. Your friends will love you when it's given to them. 1 1/2 cups of white sugar; 1 1/2 cups of Golden Eagle Syrup, 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar; 1 1/2 sticks melted butter; 3 t. vanilla; 9 large eggs; 3 cups chopped pecans which are put in pie shells and all the rest is mixed well and poured over. Cook at 300 degrees for about 45 minutes. Will thicken as it cools. On their website you can find other recipes plus this one is cut down for one pie. M.A. just makes 3.   

After our luncheon visit we actually made it to Monticello in Wayne County, Kentucky by ten that evening to check in to Fairchild's Bed and Breakfast for the next two nights while I searched for family records, and we stomped around their old terrority in the early 1800's.  For dinner we ate pie and drank milk before turning into our wonderful king bed. The breakfasts were wonderful and the sharing of local sites very helpful. 

Sunday we rambled the countryside that once Jones, Wallace and Wade ancesters might have traversed.  At left is a picture taken at the Old Mill Springs where 13 springs trickle/fall/drop down into the Cumberland River and an old mill stands while above an old Civil War site remains.  We spent over an hour there hiking and picture taking.  It was a beautiful morning of wonder at God's creative touch. 

We ate at the Cumberland Falls State Park Lodge overlooking the river.   The Sunday buffet was excellent.

Picture taken from Cumberland Fall State Park website

We checked out the state park's various loding options hoping one day to return with family to enjoy all the activities available before we hiked to the famous Cumberland Falls.   The paths are easily hiked and the view quite wonderful.  This river was the main transportation for pioneer families coming into the region. 

Monday we headed west crossing into Illinois at Cairo which was once a mighty town upon the Mississippi but we saw only a depressed section as we whizzed by.  Sad what we saw. 

We entered Missouri almost immediately on a road we had never traveled before and enjoyed the new scenery as we began to look for a place to spend the night.  We stopped at Poplar Bluff and probably got the last room available at a Super 8.  Who knew the town was filled for a convention?  We ate good food at Tios Mexican Bar and Grill and turned in thankful for a bed. 

A Slice of Pie

The next day we drove through parts of Mark Twain National Forest to Rolla where we stopped for a light lunch and pie at A Slice of Pie where they make about 30 pies and cheesecakes which is the real reason one goes there.  I had rhubarb-strawberry pie because my good friend C loves it so. 

Now close to our destination (Harrisonville, MO) we followed the sun and within hours four grandchildren jumped for joy with hugs and kisses – we had reached the best part of our journey.

Travel Along With Us

We always traveled within the Southern states but with retirement we reached into our bucket and pulled out places that were only names on the map before.  Tonight I start a rambling record of where we have been and where we dream of going. 

When we travel several themes dominate - like is there a good locally owned restaurant within the area?  Any historical sites or physical geographic features?  And if somehow, family history weaves into the trip it is all the more fun.  In fact, tracing family history was what started us on this journey of sideroads.  Each time I'd discover a new line, the next spring break we'd head out to see where our forefathers lived.  American history became our personal history as we found the charming villages they once called home in eras long ago.  Both the journey and the family unfolding brought new appreciation for being American. 

As I write this "travel along" it will weave the miles with food and family and fun.  Come along.

3/2012:  Our last journey was a short one for a family wedding. 

We left Orlando (our home) on the crowded highways of I-4 and I-95 to Jacksonville.  Traffic was fierce coming out of Orlando with tourists, bikers and trucks.  It is Bike Week in Daytona.  I usually ride and David drives so driving the SUV made me nervous, and I made him nervous especially when I edged the pavement one time.

 Vintage Postcard from Ribault Club

We arrived in time to dress and hurry across the St John's River over a super high bridge on our way to Fort George Island which is close to Amelia Island.  We left the main road onto the land of the old Kingsley Plantation, run by the National Park Service.  We passed tabby ruins of the slave quarters and down a curving road to the Club Ribault where under moss laden trees, a lovely bride and groom pledged their troth for better or worse.   Deep in this old setting was an enchanted twenties club house where friends danced the night away. 

Since we're on retirement time, we drove home Highway 1 to Highway 50 which cuts Florida in two.  Both of these roads are among the earliest built in Florida. 

Photo credit fortmose.org

As we crossed into St. Augustine, we turned left to Fort Mose, the first free community of ex-slaves.  Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose was built in 1738.  We stepped into the world of the old Indian/African-American fort where run away English slaves lived free as a buffer for the Spanish soldiers stationed at Fort San Marcos and their homes and families in St. Augustine.  Twice they escaped to the city to help fight against General Oglethrope and his English troops.  The leader of the group was Francisco Menendez, a slave who remembered freedom in Africa.  There is an interactive museum with the historic figures of Fort Mose and a boardwalk over the marshes to view the location of the fort.  Picnic tables and restrooms are also available.     For more information, Fort Mose has a great website.

We tried to eat in St. Augustine, one of our favorite Forida towns, but the crowds got there first so we continued south on HWY 1 to the crossroads to Crescent Beach where a barbeque hut poured out smoke and people.  We jumped right in line.   The people in front of us said the ribs were great and the lady behind us always orders the beach bucket to picnic on the beach. Both were returnees.  We ordered a pork sandwich which was excellent and a brisket which was tough and great baked beans and ordinary slaw.  No tables so we pulled under the shade of a tree to eat.

By time we got to New Smyrna the bikers took over, and we joined their parade on the highway as they pulled in and out of one bar and flea market after another.  For the next fifty miles we stopped and started vicariously riding with them.  We saw the expected tatooes, the long hair, the fat bulging over the tires, the girls hanging on.  There was an excitement of fun and happiness among the group despite the slow pace and building heat.  It was a happening and I'm so glad we were a part of it even if from an air conditioned SUV - our road hog.  

We called Dixie Crossroads, Titusville  321-268-5000 and asked to be put on their wait list.  A little over an hour later, we were eating their wonderful corn fritters followed by their famous rock shrimp.  Red shrimp were also in season so we ordered a side.  They really are the sweetest.  I love the rock shrimp for each little bite tastes like lobster dipped in butter.  Don't go for one dozen, make your order two dozen at least.   They are just that delicious. 

Thus ended out adventure as we turned west on HWY 50, crossing through Christmas (named for an old fort built by 2,000 soldiers and volunteers during the Second Seminole War on Christmas Day, 1837) and into Orlando.   Fort Christmas has a replica of the fort plus seven restored "Cracker" homes showing the pioneer life of the 1870's. Special events are held through out the year. 

Florida is dotted by over 200 old forts built during the Second Seminole Wars (1835 - 1842).  That is why so many Florida towns have Fort in their names - Fort Myers, Fort Meade, Fort Pierce, Fort Lauderdale.  Some forts are today known just by their names such as Maitland and the Gatlin area of Orlando.  Forts were established every twenty miles which was as far as a soldier could march in a day.

As the clock ticks down on this trip and day... good night, sleep tight on your journeys.  Dede