Bob at Sanibel and beyond!

Friday 8/27
The day Bob was at Sanibel was the sunniest!  So he enjoyed some R and R on the beach and went on a bike ride with Michael for his 12th birthday.  The rest of us continued to hoard shells, swim and stay under the beach umbrella.

Saturday 8/28
Leaving beautiful clean Florida was hard, but leaving without Charlie was the pits.  We hope to visit sometime soon.  Our goal:....to get to Southern Georgia by nightfall for some tent camping.  The camp was on swamp territory with lots of grass and tall trees.  Tall pontoon boats whizzed past into the evening while we settled in for the night. 

Sunday 8/29
The next day we headed to Mass at a very small church further West and then on through 3 more states that day  Alabama(Montgomery, Burmingham), Mississippi (birthplace of Elvis), Tennessee (Memphis- death place of Elvis)  The highlight of the day was the park like setting around the house Elvis was born in and a tribute to his first 13 years in the very NE corner of Miss.  Graceland on the other hand was hidden by a wall in a very nasty part of Memphis.....we passed on a visit there.  In fact I could not wait to get out of Memphis.....
I was happy to fill my stomach at a familiar Cracker Barrel and stay at a really nice hotel!

Monday 8/30
Journeyed into Arkansas to see our dear friends the Dobrys who abandoned Arizona years ago in seach of some good catholic schools.  Very sad to have them so far away.  My kids will never forget their generous offer of CANDY......a big bag for each from their own candy store at the mall!  They were SO excited!  So blessed to have such good friends!  They smacked on candy all the next day.  On to Oklahoma next....

Bye bye Charlie

On Thursday we loaded up the car again to bring Charlie to his new home at Ave Maria.  Due to some flight changes Bob was not able to join us until late in the evening.  We all went to noon Mass and spent the rest of the day listening to talks and eating in the cafeteria.  Charlie has a fine roomate and dorm room, and was getting acqainted with old and new friends immediately.   We all had a great time, but were sad to say goodbye.  After getting Bob that night at 11:00pm we traveled BACK to Ave to deliver a few more items.......BIG MISTAKE since we did not get back to the island until 3:00 AM! 

Lessons learned:  Always listen to your wise wife in matters of travel and time management
 Never trust a female driver with a bad sense of direction
NEVER, never leave a college student without snacks......we found him at midnight looking for the open cafeteria