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.