Final

The 15th of April we headed out of New Mexico and here are pictures after going thru snow drifts.

Then we arrived in Monticello, Utah.
Before leaving took a picture at the temple.

The 16th---On the way to see Jeff, a lot of sights

Spent 17th at FHC and visiting Jeff's children and families: David, Karl and Kevin.
Headed home on the 18th:  The end of just a few snippets and each pin on hats has a story.

Been an indescribable journey, full of adventure and more pictures, recordings and video for memories.


Love to all from the Grannys who drove a total of 5,303.3 miles!!!

Taos, New Mexico

Spent a lot of yesterday finding places where grandpa and grandma lived----good weather so it was a good day----not so good today.
This is view of start of  'climb'

This is near summit---

Then one of better roads to junction--

And Taos Junction---this is it!  Were families living here.

Then a ways further to Ojo Caliente and I was going to take thisnroad and Shirley said---'nothing there'

But just around bend was an exclusive resort---

Just outside of town was the cemetery---this is one picture and we believe she is buried at one of the wooden crosses----a lot of them and very old and unmarked.

JUST LOOKED OUTSIDE AND IT IS SNOWING!!!!!  Well, back to yesterday.

We then headed back to Taos and to try and see homestead on way.  This  is the turn off and Shirley said ---'go no further' and I agreed,



But here is a pic and homestead is out further about 7 miles.

We then crossed the Rio Grande gorge.

Came back and ate and did some library work-----went to library again today---leaving here tomorrow.

Love you all, the Grannys



In New Mexico

While in Clarendon we went to cemetery, etc. and also to Silverton which is almost a ghost town. This is part of a canyon that we passed.  Getting gas in Silverton I went in to buy some milk and when I opened the display door it "mooed" at me---pretty funny.

We are in Tucumcari population about 3,500 but they have a couple of great museums; following are a few pic----lots of different rocks,, and the swatzika (sp?) was something the Indians used until adopted by Germany----all pic better if you click on it and enlarge

Then we went to the dinosaur museum---really fabulous----one pic is of lab where they work on newest specimens---

Tomorrow on to Taos


Shirley will be flying home the 20th.


Love Grannys

Clarendon, Texas

Forgot to mention Don asked about the Jemmett farm and how they missed potatoes so we gave them the rest of the bag.


Only in Texas this kind of waffle!

Saturday we drove to Mesquite to visit with Alton.  Saw some longhorns but for some reason my zoom pic are fuzzy but Shirley got some.


Alton had some great stories which we got on tape.

 Church Sunday was a little different experience----in Relief Society the lesson was in Spanish so we (and about half the class) were the ones wearing headphones!!!


Hit some rain and construction getting thru Dallas but we have been pretty fortunate.


Had to pick some wild flowers.

 Then at the rest stop this was the sign outside (Beware of rattlesnakes) and inside was a room designated tornado shelter.

 Stayed at Vernon and today spent most today in Memphis----found obit of  Dad's sister, visited a museum, library and 0ver 100 yr old church.  Below is pic of organ----only one of 2 in existence.

This is in basement where children could  worship.

 Tomorrow plan to go to Silverton (weather permitting) and cemetery. Then Wednesday do the book store, library, museum and ?
Then Thursday head for New Mexico.

Love the Grannys 

Shirley just got back from a swim and if no one is in pool I am going to take a quick dip.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Spent most of day with Don (our 3rd cousin) and Nellie McKenzie.
 Some of visit is on audio and video.
Got information on Nellie's family and went to cemetery to get latest information.  Will have a lot to update when get home.

Good day, in 80s---going to Mesquite tomorrow.

Love,
Grannys

Mineola, Texas

First some things from Mississippi not able to enter earlier/or forgot.
The branch president said they were probably the smallest branch in the church and when we visited with the sisters they
said usually about 8 attend.

Natchez Trace

Just a few of the pic---took us 2 1/2 hrs to go less than 70 miles!!!

This was one of the stops we made----family was in this area as this road is mentioned plus we saw other road names such as Bell and Terry and Myrick stream.

Less than 10 miles was a swamp!!!

One of the pic I took----alligator was seen here recently---

Then the funniest thing happened.  A couple who were on their
way back to Canada and noticed our plates and asked if we had any Idaho potatoes----should have seen the look on his face when we said yes.  He would only take a couple if we took something in exchange so he gave us an onion---we laughed about it all day.

This is a part of the original Trace which has been preserved.

A Louisiana rest stop----notice the column colonial look.

Shirley wants to add a few notes:
We are staying at Best Western and will go to dinner soon.  This is the area where relatives are still here.  Later we will go into the panhandle and visit cemeteries and places where our Dad was born and lived.  Lots of family history.

Love the Grannys

Last night in Mississippi

Plan to spend tomorrow night in Louisiana.
Couple of tidbits----only here can you get an oil change and in the waiting room is posted the 10 Commandments and Bible for reading material.
Spending a lot of time in library.
Yesterday at courthouse in Carthage got copies of more than 25 marriage certificates!


Office!?!

This is old farm machinery and log cabin
at French Farm on Natchez Trace

These are 2 of the squares----all businesses are around the squares. More on video..  State flag is one of controversy since part of it is the battle flag of the Confederacy.

 Brooks cemetery that we visited today

Two of the sisters from church we were able to
visit today.  One in center may be related.










See you later----the Grannys

Saturday, March 31, 2012

We have been spending time at libraries.

Then today we went to the library, listened to conference then decided to visit some cemeteries.
Well, let's just say we saw a lot of scenery---some is on video.
Some we have listing of names but something special about actually visiting a grave spot.
We were hot and tired and had a listing of these names so did not get
out but sign tells where we were----we drove over 100 miles and temp in 80s.

These next 2 pictures show how good sidewalk chalk is for old headstones,

 And back to our hotel---they even furnish a fly swatter!  Our souvenir hats are getting a good collection of state pins.

 So far lost ancestors continue to evade us (finding others) but conference tomorrow and Monday we will start again.
Have a good Sunday----Love, Grannies

 

 

Koosciusko, Mississippi

Well, we finally got here.
Have driven 2,292 miles!

Couple of  things I have not mentioned.
In Arkansas we stopped at rest stop/information center---big brick bldg.  They had a brochure from every county, museum, park, etc.  A LOT  Anyway, got lit on  sites for ancient Indian mounds and artifacts.

Made same kind of stop in Mississippi and they had two rooms set up kind of colonial/old south style with antiques, etc.  They gave us a Mississippi pin.

Pic are Shirley showing what we need to unload and I was trying to show our bug collection but did not turn out so good but you can enlarge.

Thanks to all for your prayers and support----Grannies

New Hope, Mississippi

First a couple of notes on Missouri:
      Aptly named establishment!!! (Click on pic to enlarge)

  Then the motel we stayed at later had a sign---cash payment requires picture id and extra $50 deposit and it named 2 counties in MO and 2 in TN that if you were from there would not accept cash.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Original Memphis plans kind of went down the tube----museum at park was closed but gate open so we saw someone taking pictures so went in to take some pictures and boy was this guy not happy with us----said to leave, other photographer was from paper, but got these anyway.

 Then we learned we could not stay at the Pink Palace.

 So we sent to New Hope for a motel but Shirley is facing a challenge on getting onto the

 bed--------

 And Vicki is enjoying the luxury!!!!

Seriously this is the deal with the Pink Palace  (so called because of use of pink marble). Clarence Saunders, founder of  Piggly Wiggly began building his 36,500 sq ft mansion in 1922.  A year later he was bankrupt and it was donated to the city for a museum.  The museum contains 170,000 sq ft.  One of the current special exhibits is about bison----very good museum and lot to see.

        We will be at our destination tomorrow.  So far good weather----but storms around us I guess but sunny for us.


Love from the Grannies----