Christmas in two time zones

Columbus, Georgia

McCamey, Texas

We are enjoying not one, but two Christmas trees this year, one in Georgia, the other in Texas!  It is nice to be able to share the beauty of the season with each other, even if it is cross-country! 

Charles' Texas Rose

Charles returned to McCamey from his time with Belinda (now in Georgia) this afternoon to discover a reminder of Belinda, his very own 'Texas Rose,' in the backyard! 

Thanksgiving Day in Georgia

After we left Callaway Gardens, we drove toward Tyrone, Georgia where we enjoyed a family Thanksgiving celebration at the home of Charles' sister, Sandy Boda (and her husband, Steve!).  Along with Charles' niece, Julie and nephew, Michael (and their families) the day was filled with great food and even better company!

Our Anniversary at Callaway Gardens

 We had a great getaway to Callaway Gardens for our anniversary. We drove up after Belinda got off work on Wednesday and after a terrific dinner in one of Callaway's restaurants, we experienced the Callaway Garden's famous "Fantasy in Lights."

The next morning we rose up to enjoy a fire while we watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on tv. After that there was time to enjoy the Butterfly Center (part of Callaway Gardens).

Early anniversary present

 Belinda gave Charles an early anniversary present, two rounds of golf!  Yesterday he played at the Maple Ridge Golf Club (part of the complex where Belinda's apartment is located) and today at one of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses, Grand National - Lake Course (in Opelika, AL).  Charles reports that this course certainly lives up to its billing as one of the best in the country and the best in Alabama! 

Belinda reports that she is really getting put through her paces this week at work.  She's happy that it is a "short week" with Thanksgiving right around the corner!

Sunday, Sunday

Our first Sunday in Columbus, Georgia was a nice day, soup to nuts!  We had been invited to go to worship by Mike & Susan McCollum (Susan works at the Maple Ridge Golf Course, part of the company that owns the apartments Belinda is staying in). 

This morning we drove to downtown Columbus and attended the contemporary worship service at St. Luke UMC.  There had to be 125-150 people there and the energy was amazing.  There were all ages present, some using iPads or iPhones, some with coffee, everyone getting fed by the praise band!  After worship, we went with the McCollums' to their Sunday School Class and had a great time.  We then went to lunch at the McCollums' favorite Chinese restaurant.

Following a side-trip to the airport where we got a rental car for Charles to use this week we returned to the apartment to rest up for Belinda's big week.  Look in for news during the week!

Saturday in Columbus

Our first weekend in Columbus continued today with some more shopping for essentials for Belinda's apartment and after lunch at Cracker Barrel we took a dashboard tour of downtown Columbus.  We also poked a toe over the river to Phenix City, Alabama, just because we could!

A big task today was to help Belinda become familiar with the route she'll be taking to get to work.  We drove around Fort Benning, seeing many of the familiar sights.  Both of us have spent time at Fort Benning and while a lot has changed over the years there is a lot that hasn't changed much at all!

Friday in Columbus (GA)

Lots accomplished today in getting Belinda situated here in Columbus.  Much of the morning given to visiting the civilian personnel office at the hospital where Belinda will be working.  She is really excited about being back in the "Army culture!"

After stocking up on supplies for her new apartment, we returned home and Charles set up a Christmas tree.  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

From Selma, AL to Columbus, GA!

  

We woke up in a chilly (for us) Selma, Alabama this morning and got ourselves out and about to explore some of this historic town.  We stopped by the Church St. UMC, a 175 year-old congregation and met the pastor and got to see the beautiful sanctuary.

After stopping by the Chamber of Commerce (housed in a former Carnegie Library building), we set off on a self-guided auto tour of the historic area.  Such beautiful places!  We also took in the very interesting National Voting Rights Museum in Selma, an important reminder of this important legacy of the civil rights movement.

After sitting through a major traffic tie-up on I-85 outside of Montomery we managed to get to Columbus and get Belinda settled into her temporary apartment.  She'll be in this apartment until mid-January and then we'll just see what is available!

After supper at the Columbus Cracker Barrel (yes, Belinda is thrilled!) we returned to finish settling into the apartment and unpacking.  Tomorrow will be more orienting Belinda to the area and a bit of sight-seeing.

A four state day

We really made tracks today chalking up a four-state tally.  We started out in Tyler, Texas and drove in and out of rain through Louisiana and Mississippi before arriving this evening in Selma, Alabama. 

Along the way we enjoyed lunch at the Cracker Barrel in Shreveport, Louisiana (always a hit for Belinda!).  We also got to take in the Mississippi River from the Vicksburg, Mississippi welcome center.  Lots of history to take in there! 

We reached Alabama just before nightfall so tomorrow will be filled with memories beginning right here in Selma!

On the road again...

  

We set out from McCamey this morning with Georgia on our mind!  After a couple of stops in San Angelo, we continued north, enjoying the scenery as we left west Texas behind.  Along the way, we spotted a covered bridge just south of Balinger.  It was a surprise seeing one in Texas!


Next stop was Dublin, Texas, home of the oldest Dr. Pepper bottling plant in the world. The tours were all sold out, but we did get to enjoy the unique flavor of a Dublin Dr. Pepper over some Blue Bell ice cream!  Just what the Dr. ordered!


After making our way to and around Dallas, we stopped for supper at a Cracker Barrel (where else?!).   Some rest tonight and then it will be a long day of driving tomorrow.  We'll be driving tomorrow across the northern portion of Louisiana, Mississippi and into Alabama.
                                                                                                                                                   

Beautiful Christmas Tree!

Belinda's wonderful husband Charles surprised her by setting up their Christmas tree today.  Yea!!!

Mother, Brother Rob and Belinda -- 1964