REA

This won't mean much to anyone else, but all my life I've heard about REA (Rural Electrification Administration), the branch of government my dad worked in. While at FDR's get away in Warm Springs, Georgia, we learned that the idea of this department started while FDR was visiting, realizing many rural areas didn't have electricity, and could really use it. So, the photos are for Dad.(click on any picture to enlarge)

 Sean is here because he decided to wear a pair of broken sunglasses at the FDR site.

ANDERSONVILLE, GEORGIA

On our trip home from Florida, we stopped at a Civil War prison. I'm not as big a fan of the Civil War as my dad is (I'm a World War 2 guy, myself), but this one has some special significance. My great-great grandfather died there while fighting for the Union. My parents were able to locate his particular grave, but the office was closed when we were there and we were running of time time anyway. The kids did a quick scan of several rows of tombstones looking for the name, but to no avail. Anyway, I'm sure he doesn't mind that we didn't stay awhile to visit.

There's a really good museum at this site that gives a good overview of what it is to be a POW in many different wars. I don't think I've been moved emotionally at too many museums, but this one had some video interviews with Vietnam POW's and their families that were quite moving.

Below is a picture of the site the POW camp was on.

 (click on photo to enlarge)

GATOR DAY

How do you turn 35 miles into 260 miles? Take a trip with the Kelches. Our goal was to go to Gator Park, a place you can take air boat rides and see a guy wrestle a gator. When we left the hotel, we were all under the impression that Gator Park was 35 miles from the hotel, but it ended up being around 70-80 miles. (Not sure where Dawn read the 35 miles thing). Anyway, we made it, had fun, over-tipped our air boat driver, watched someone pass out, only to recover-we think, and got to hold a live gator. But now, we're only 30 miles or so from Miami, not a place that was ever on the agenda, with the kids saying,

"let's go to Miami, let's go to Miami."

So, we went to Miami.

We stayed a few hours before crossing back to the west end of the state...tired, having one last swim in the hotel pool and thinking of the week coming to an end. We are however, going to take three days to get home, hopefully stopping at IKEA in Tampa and FDR's retreat home in Warm Springs, Ga.

SANIBEL ISLAND

We spent the day on Sanibel Island, a place I'd retire to if I was a millionaire. Beautiful beaches, resorts, cottages, and restuarants. We had our one meal out at the Bubble Room, hyper-active in it's decor, serving giant portions of cake, which makes Dawn happy (Liz finally realized Dawn takes her cake seriously), and charges prices based on the the experience of eating there, though the food was fresh and good. We spent a few more hours on the beach and I was able to geocache, dropping off one of my travel bugs.

BEACH DAY

One of our goals on the trip is to stop eating at the chain restuarants. So, I saw this place from the road and thought, "why not?" Glad we stopped. You can't stop at a Greek restuarant and not order the Gyro. Liz and mom had the Greek salad, the gyro was for me, and Will had a philly cheese steak-very Greek.

         Two years ago, when we went to the beach, Sean wouldn't even get off the blanket. One year ago, he felt the freedom to let his feet touch the sand, but stayed close to the blanket and never went near the water. This year however, it's been a totally different story. (Sorry, no pictures of him in the water, but trust me, he got his feet in the water).

I hope we got the sunscreen applied well.

Sean's feet. Sand doesn't stick to dry feet real well, so this photo proves he was in the water.

FLORIDA DAY 2

Captain's log: Walterboro,
SC to Naples, FL= 9.5 hours.
I feel like I've driven to the equator
Great to see NO SNOW.
Wearing shorts and t-shirts
Sun is out
Checked into a great room with a kitchen (hopefully this helps us save money).
Sean just pooped and it stinks. I need to leave my lovely room.

FLORIDA DAY ONE

Captains log: Wooster to Walterboro, SC= 8.5 hours No car trouble Had Sonny's BBQ for dinner Sean doesn't like long car rides We got off the highway to see if the pro shop at the Carolina Panthers stadium was open-no such luck.

ADOPTION: THIRD DAY STYLE

I love the music group Third Day, and I love that someone brought to my attention this song/video. I will continue to tell people that adoption will change your life in amazing ways and as someone in this video mentions, it changes your perspective and view of God. I also love how this video shows we are all adopted by God. Spreading the word....

MAIL POUCH

Though I don't chew tobacco, I see these barns all over, and I'm sure they have a history behind them. If you come to Ohio, there is one barn in each county that is painted the same as all the others...see my opening blog picture, this is one of them. Anyway, I'm thinking of starting a collection of Mail Pouch pictures for no apparent reason. (This barn was found near Bedford Indiana).