Hi ya'll from Mississippi

This has been an exciting couple of weeks. Everyone at Waverley is counting the minutes until the last morning tour Saturday morning. Of course, the mansion is open everyday of the year, but not with these pilgrimage crowds.

We’ve been in a dead zone. No internet or cell phone service in the campground. We drive to Columbus or Melanie’s to check email and make phone calls. You don’t realized you are hooked until you start having withdrawals.

There has been some kind of excitement during each tour. Melanie had an allergic reaction and became violently ill ten minutes before the first tour. Steve sat in the kitchen with her as she lay on the kitchen floor in her mother’s 40 year old pilgrimage dress. Steve tried to get her out of it but she was a dish rag. The both of us finally got her changed and home. Steve babysat and the rest of us covered her part of the tour. She recovered that night and figured out she is allergic to her hair dye. Isn’t that weird? Then a woman fell off the front porch and broke her ankle. We had to call an ambulance for her (caution, lawsuits may occur). You never know what people are going to do. Melanie’s niece saw the woman taking a picture while she was walking down the stairs, not paying attention to anything. One day there was a terrible storm with tornado warnings with lightening and thunderstorms. The tourists were stuck in the house so we had to entertain them with stories. Then the lights went out. Melanie, with her wonderful sense of humor, said “Let’s give ghost tours.” One day it was so cold we wore pants under our dresses. Of course, who would notice? We’ve had nice people, rude people, small children, school field trips, and lots of senior citizens on tour busses. People have come in from all over the world, but my favorite couple was from Franklin, Tennessee.

We tell stories of Colonial Young that built the mansion and his family, masked balls at the mansion, the civil war, and the Snow family’s restoration of the home. The antiques that furnish the mansion are incredible. Our tours depend on people’s interest. Some just want history and some just want to know about the antiques, and some just want to talk about the gardens (five acres of formal gardens).

I have only worked the pilgrimage tours, which are four hours a day three days a week, but it has been exhausting. We’ve spent our spare time just hanging out at the campground or with Melanie. Sara and Keith did get to come for a couple of days and seemed to have a good time. Sara loved the azaleas and Melanie filled her room with fresh cuttings in vases. Melanie spoiled them.

We spent one whole day installing an antenna on Melanie roof for her TV only to figure out her rabbit ears worked better. So, we uninstalled it. Steve was so tired. We’ve run errands for Melanie’s father, Mr. Robert, and for Melanie. We’ve helped to cook food for Waverley. Mr. Robert likes to feed all of the tour guides after each Pilgrimage tour. The West Point Air Force Base spouses volunteer each year to help at all of the houses. Some tours we will have six or seven volunteers. One lady told me sixty people volunteered from the Air Force Base this year. There are about 15 different tours for Pilgrimage. Most of these homes are not open the rest of the year.

We’re going fishing today on Mr. Robert’s pond. It’s supposed to have all kinds of fish, including some rather large catfish. I’m hoping to have fish for dinner. We’ll see. I could go on and on about all of this. I’ve been here two weeks and there’s so much to tell. Maybe I’ll start blogging some of the Waverley stories we tell. They’re fascinating.

Until next time, this is Diana the Traveler signing off.

Its been raining for a couple of days. That's fine. It gave me a couple of days to catch up on paperwork. Now I can feel the warmth peeking through the clouds, telling me to go to the beach. This is not as easy as it sounds. Its spring break. In Panama City Beach spring break lasts six weeks. I don't know how the locals do it. But the locals love it. This is a time to make their money.

We went to Walmart and saw young college men with baskets full of chips, Ramon noodles, and lots and lots of beer. We dared to drive down Front Beach Road (the main strip) one afternoon. Kids stumbling across the road, drink in hand. Cars full of screaming girls. So many 150 scooters which you don't have to have a license to drive. And they don't wear helmets here. It scared me that this is our future. Then I remembered my youth and forgave them.

I did find a small spot at the far end of the beach. Tomorrow its going to be sunny and 80 degrees. I plan to spend our last day here at the beach sitting in my chair, journeling, and listening to the water.

Nastame

On the beach, sort of

We're back in Panama City Beach. We stopped here on our way back from Disney World while we were waiting for the snow to melt in Nashville. We found an RV Park on Back Beach road that is quiet. Yes, it's spring break here, but the campground is away from the beach. I'm looking at one of the small lakes and enjoying the breeze through my open window. It's supposed to rain today, but that's ok, its 70 degrees. I plan to spend the day writing, reading, or maybe catching up on some paperwork. We spent yesterday running errands, so we both need a day to rest. Yes, life goes on, even on the road. I needed new glasses to replace the ones I lost at Disney. We bought some groceries. We went to a boat store to look for stuff for the houseboat. And of course, we went to Buddy's Seafood Market to buy fresh shrimp for dinner. I think I keep coming back here for the seafood.

Maybe I'll get out today and take some pictures around the campground before it rains. I know I'm going to the beach Monday or Tuesday when it quits raining. I'll go early in the morning while the spring breakers are asleep. Who knows, maybe I'll find a few laying around on the beach that never made it to their rooms. That could be some interesting pictures.

Houseboat

We've been home for a few weeks, can't even remember how long now, trying to leave again. Steve has had a desire for a houseboat. He spent hours on the computer looking, studying, hoping to come across the right one. But it had to be on, or moveable to, Dale Hollow Lake. So, this past Sunday we drove up there once again, looking at houseboats. You would be amazed at some of the junk people are trying to sell. Then we walked up to Barefoot and Topless. From a distance I saw her and thought "Is this it? Could it be so beautiful?" Its sleek like a cruiser, now square like a houseboat. Then we boarded her. We were instantly taken in by her, trying not to show our enthusiams to the boat realtor. As we stepped inside we knew this was the one. She is 32', actually smaller than the motorhome inside. But there are several stories of living. The bridge, the galley (I'm learning the terms), a bedroom under the bridge, a party deck (yes it's really called this) with a bimini top is above the galley, then a sun deck is a short climb from the party deck. Steve made an offer, then counters were involved, and now Captain Steve is the owner of a new houseboat.

The name, he wants an original name. Barefoot and topless is cute, but its someone else's name. It's a boat thing. We've been tossing around ideas. He has decided on "The other woman". I thought that was appropriate because if he's not with me he will be with the other woman. It will take a couple of weeks to finalize the details, test drive the boat, and exchange money, but we are planning an "open boat" or "boat warming" in early June. We want to wait until the weather warms up.

Speaking of warm weather, its suppose to sleet here and be cold, so we're leaving this afternoon for Panama City Beach. We stayed there on the way back from Orlando on this last trip and found a great campground that doesn't allow spring breakers. It's that time of year. We'll stay there until the weather warms up.

Try to keep warm and I'll think of you while I eat oysters and shrimp.

Diana

Haiku

Disneyworld was fun.
Imagination galore.
My feet are hurting.

Disney World Again!!!!

We hadn't planned to come back to Disney, but a great opportunity came up. My nephew, Taylor Casey, was going to Disney to audition for a performance role. We decided to take him there in the RV. Sara came along and Keith came down a few days later to meet us. Now here's the good part. It was an open singing audition. About 200 people turned up. Taylor was in a group of about 30 and he was one of three that got the yellow paper. He said he felt like it was American Idol. People kept coming out without the yellow sheet and he was getting very nervous. He was called and sang for them. He sang for them and the head casting director loved him. He asked him to come back March 4th for a second audition. He told him he wanted him to audition for the part of boy one (1st tenor) in High School Musical (which he performed in local theatre). They are emailing him the music and a video of the part they want him to perform for them. They even asked him to sing a second song and videotaped it. When I picked him up from his audition he was beaming! I hate to brag (no I don't) but I've always known he was great! I'm so proud!

Oh yeah, I'm at disney world. I haven't been to any parks and I don't plan to go to any. Sara and I took Taylor to Downtown Disney the night of his audition. He was so tired he slept most of the next day. He had to get up at 6:00 eastern (5 our time, yuck) to get to the audition early. I took him so I had to also. That night we went to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and ate dinner. It was one of the most incredible meals I've ever had. And the atmosphere was fantastic. They specialize in South African wines so I was in heaven with my wine tasting. Then yesterday Sara and Taylor went to the manmade beach in the campground, Steve worked on the RV (one of his favorite pastimes) and I just enjoyed being here.

Today Taylor, Sara, and Keith are going to Magic Kingdom. It's Taylor's first visit to disney so I'm excited for him. I might lounge by the pool, or maybe take a walk to the dog park, or maybe go horseback riding, or maybe fishing, all of that without even leaving the campground. I'm glad we have several days here to enjoy it all.

We're leaving Friday morning for ??????? We'll see where the wind blows us next.

Finally on the road again

A new year, new adventures. The winter was longer than we expected, but it is finally over. We have great plans for 2009. Another year following our hearts and souls. We never know where the wind will take us. We make plans, but sometimes life has its own plan. So we've learned to be flexible. The farther south we get, the more relaxed I become. Is it the warm sun? Or maybe the ocean? Or maybe my soul knows its free again.

Life can be tough. The challenges we face everyday are difficult. Sometimes its good to just step away and re access a situation, to take a deep breath and let life happen. There are so many things we can't control. But, it can be hard to let go. I have to wonder, am I running from or to a better life. I'll never know. What I know is I can move forward. I can live life. Isn't that what we're supposed to do?

I'm blogging again. That means I'm writing again, and that's a good thing. I'm looking forward to writing about the many experiences ahead of me. So, here I go.......