Georgia on my mind

As much as we have enjoyed our time here in Montgomery it is time to move on. Tomorrow we hitch up - secure the cabin for travel - and find our way back out of this city. We are sad to leave our new friends as we always are - one thing about our trip is that there have been a lot of hellos and a lot of goodbyes or see you laters. 

We are on our way to Georgia which is very exciting because it is our fourth new state on our 2011 USA Tour. Our destination is Valdosta by way of route 231 through Troy, Ozark and Dothan Alabama. Dothan will be our first stop - not only because it is the 'Peanut Capital of the World' - oh my! but they have a Walmart Supercenter (food), a Camping World (dump + propane) and a Sam's Club (wifi + sleep). We will be passing over the Chattahoochee River (Alan Jackson anyone ?).

It should be a good day!

Unfortunately, we didn't see much more of Montgomery then the Church. We did venture a few blocks the other day to do our laundry. I did want to see the downtown with it's historical places but it didn't happen. I know this sounds strange but we see so much on our trips - sometimes we have to just stop looking for a bit. I know we will be back here one day - I am content in saying - 'I will be here again and I will see more then.'

Since we are back on the move Derek and I are once again discussing our route. This always seems to happen when we are getting set to get rolling - where are we going? how long are we going to be there? which route are we going to take? when will Roofous get a run? where will he run? and on and on. When we are stationary this discussion just doesn't come up - we start planning to move and it becomes our main focus.

Florida has been on and off our travel list numerous times. Florida is a bit of a trick because of the general rule of NO RV PARKING at Walmarts. Since we are on a limited budget and cannot afford to pay for many overnights we are at a bit of an disadvantage in this state. BUT we would really love to see it and would really love to be warm.

So we have a plan and this is it.

We are going to truck stop hop our way down and back up again. I know, I know - sleeping at truck stops is not our favourite thing to do. But really - I don't think we have been to a quiet Walmart EVER. (what we will do for a little warmth)

We plan to spend a night at Ocean Pond Campground in the Osceola National Forest.
This is not our picture it is from the blog Me and My Tent

So Flying Js and Pilots along I75 here we come! I have found through a few travel blogs National Forest and Parks that are not too bad in price, so it won't be all diesel engines. AND we will be staying a few nights at the Everglades National Park campgrounds sleeping with the alligators.

When I was Cassia's age our family drove down to Florida every winter. My dad worked in construction and we lived in Toronto so it wasn't too far to travel. Every year we camped at the Red Coconut Campground - this place takes up a huge part of my childhood memories in addition to listening to Lynn Anderson and Marty Robbins on the 8 track along the way. Anyway, since we will be driving by Fort Myers I said to Derek 'Don't even think that we will go by without going to the Red Coconut Campground!' I sat down and quickly looked it up - I found  Red Coconut RV Resort - hmmmm things have obviously changed in 40 years - including the price - $85 per night!

 I guess I will just visit my memories instead.

I can't wait for this - albeit the WINTER version!

*** If any of you travelers out there have some tips on Florida and where we can boondock, or stealth camp or inexpensive parks or forests, please let me know.

Other than that I don't have anything more to say at this point. Well I actually have a whole list of things but I am trying to stay on topic. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Winn-Dixie for a week of wifi!

So there you go end of post.

Thanks for visiting - have a great day or night depending on what time it is in your world. We would love to hear from you here in blogger land.

Teresa

Today's Interesting Link: You may as well give Ray Charles a listen - Georgia on my Mind - I have been enjoying it while I have been writing.

H2O

Water. Water. Water. One of the things about living on the road as we do is the seemingly constant consideration of water - mainly - how much do we have left and where will we get more? Living in a house we all take for granted that when the faucet is turned water comes out. What a luxury!

Last year in Arizona and California we purchased most of our water - especially drinking water. In Holtville there was one of those little houses that you pull up to and purchase 5 gallons for $1. When in Quartzsite we found a tap that many snowbirds seemed to use at a gas station on the highway - it was free. We also drank that water thinking that is was community water anyway - how bad can it be.

So far so good for us this year. We have yet to purchase water since we have readily found it at the campgrounds, rest areas and the Churches we are visiting. Wait! I stand corrected - we did purchase water from Walmart a few weeks ago for about a week because we were unsure of the water and we didn't feel well. Was it the water or a bug - we are still not sure....

The reason I bring water up now is that in addition to being spiritually filled here at the Grace Bible Church we are also enjoying the complete luxury of being filled physically with alkaline water.

Have you heard of it? I guess Derek and I both have in the past but didn't give it too much thought. The Grace Cafe tap has been fitted with a Kangen Water System. Which is a system whereby the tap water is run through this machine to alter the pH levels. It really is quite amazing! It has several settings including drinking, beauty and strong acid water. I won't go into the details here - I have a handy brochure here that describes the benefits of alkaline water - please visit this website to read more.

The Kangen Water System here at the Church.

This is of course a true luxury because these are expensive systems. Well expensive - initially - it is all relative.  I do think that it is a worthwhile investment over time. If I had $4,000 to spend on anything I do believe this would be at the top of the list. To drink pure water year after year I think would be an important way to give your health a fighting chance in this world of toxins and chemicals. But alas, I don't see that happening anytime soon. ( Derek's note : "I have studied that if the soil is too acidic, trees cannot absorb nutrients. There are many reports showing that trees in the eastern parts of the country are dying from acidification.Trees are not flesh and blood, but it does make one think about the ramifications of an overly acidic environment.")

Different pH levels depending on the use.

On the other hand, there is also a pitcher available and a shower head - you can read about them here. That is probably doable for us and we will see how we can fit it into our budget so that we can bring one of those home with us.

Do any of you have a Kangen water system or pitcher? Have you noticed a difference in how you feel with it? There seems to be some controversy surrounding its effectiveness. I believe that it can really help because of controlling the alkalinity in your body and helping your body to clean out its blood transport system.

Love love love water - this week I think my organs are drowning! :)

Thanks for visiting, have a great day and feel free to comment - we would love to hear from you!

Teresa

Today's Interesting Link: To be fair, there is the other side of the alkaline issue - those reporting that is a scam, which you can read about here. I don't know. This is the first I have heard of this but of course it is worthwhile to check all points of view. When I have more time I will spend it looking further into this issue!

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

As we mentioned, we are here in Montgomery Alabama at the Grace Bible Church. Coming here this weekend came to be because of our visit with Pastor Jerry Lockhart in New Braunfels, Texas at the Berean Bible Church. We were coming east anyway - Montgomery was only a few hundred mile detour. Coming to rightly dividing grace churches was inspired by our YouTube and Facebook connections. When we decided to visit Texas this winter Derek said "...I think Jerry Lockhart is in Texas..."

Connecting with one rightly dividing Pastor (Jerry) in person has led to what we are now calling our  winter pilgrimage. We are so happy and edified to meet with others that believe as we do and to learn along the way that we are including Rightly Dividing - Grace teaching - Pauline Churches in our travels. We are learning so much more from listening to sermons and meeting and talking with others in person rather just over the internet.

For the last three days, Pastor Jerry taught on the Book of Acts "transitionally." Most people don't realize that this book took place over a period of 34 years and is the key to understanding the transition from law to grace. We believe in Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth - II Timothy 2:15.

If you are interested in learning more about Pauline right division we have compiled a list of great links under What We Believe.

Pastor Jerry Lockhart teaching on Acts.

Pastor Steve Gotberg and his wife Kim (picture by Derek.. taken without warning, surprise!)

We had a great time - great fellowship and great food in the Grace Cafe. On Friday lunch was provided courtesy of Jim Berdeaux - owner of Berdeaux's Vintage Sauces. With pulled pork sandwiches we could sample his steak and bbq sauces. Jim generously gave Derek and I a complimentary 2 bottle box of his sauces to take with us on the road. He also mentioned a meat loaf consisting of garlic croutons softened in the bbq sauce. I think I will try that soon. I have never made meat loaf - I loved my mom's but I didn't think it was something Derek would like. But he is up to trying it so we will. I will post the results in the future. In the meantime please check out Jim's site and consider trying his sauces - they really are very good!

The ladies of the Church were so great is providing the rest of the meals and ..... desserts - lots and lots of desserts!

Visiting in the Grace Cafe.

If you are interested....here is a video from Brother Scott Foust of Ohio on the topic of Salvation. It is clear, precise and easy to understand.

Tonight Derek was strumming a guitar - wishing he could play a tune, especially Appalachian roots. Derek and I are big fans of the guitar - well any string instrument really. I love the fiddle! We have been talking for years now about learning to play. Derek would really really like to learn and we would also like to teach Cassia. So if you know how or have any tips on where on our travels to learn, please let us know! 

Today's Interesting Link: While browsing other travel blogs the other night I stumbled upon To Simplify on another site. Obviously the name struck a cord with me. After searching around a bit and looking at the photos of Glenn's rig I realized that this was the guy in the article I shared on facebook back in October - they guy that lives on $11,000 a year. So glad to have found his site - funny enough he was in Dothan Alabama a few days ago when I was reading - just south of us. Last night he passed the 1,000,000th hit on his blog - amazing! Seems like many people are as addicted to his site as I am.

PEE-can or Puh-KAHN?

How do you pronounce PECAN? Here in the southeastern USA we are obviously in pecan country.  Being from the north and Canada we say PEE-can however we have noticed a bit of a blank stare in these parts with that word. Here it is Puh-KAHN. No matter - we love them and we stop for them!


Priester's Pecans is at exit 142 on I65 just south of Montgomery for your future reference. We highly recommend stopping we sure are glad we did and are still enjoying it now. Priester's has been a family owned pecan supplier since 1935.

The first stop was a trip upstairs to watch the candy making process. Cassia was able to stand on a step and look through the windows at all the activity going on below. A few of the ladies looked up and waved which was fun for us. We then headed back downstairs for a look around and the advertised free samples. Of course this is a smart thing to have because well - you get hooked on the candy and just have to take some home. I dare anyone to eat some samples and then walk away empty handed.

Priester's Pecans - a very popular place.

The prices are fairly steep and so we could only choose a few items. After much debate and going around in circles we purchased a small pecan log - nougat center rolled in caramel and pecans, and the Fiddlesticks - dark chocolate, caramel and pecans. We also got a holiday flavoured coffee - of course.

Derek riding the horse because Cassia wouldn't.

We went back to our trailer for lunch but promised ourselves we would return for a second round of viewing the extensive shop and country store.

Dad and Daughter enjoying the front veranda and rocking chairs.

Of course Cassia liked the larger chairs better.

While strolling around the second time a lady asked us if we had been in Georgiana earlier that morning which of course we had. She had actually recognized us as the 'beautiful dogs owners' ha ha. She with her mother and her mother's friend (who lives next door to Keith from our Georgiana post) had seen us walking around town. We stood out because 'we weren't from around there'. Georgiana is one of those towns where everybody knows everybody and so the four of us walking around on a Monday morning was obviously something to talk about.

We had a nice chat with the three ladies - actually I am sure we could have sat down and visited with them the rest of the day. We didn't get their names unfortunately - hopefully they leave us a note so we can add them here. The two older ladies were in their 80's - but didn't look it - and had lived in Georgiana and area all their lives. So happy to have met them - and there again - we met more wonderful people here in the state of Alabama!

What a great day - we managed to dawdle through the day in a small area making our way north. It was time to find the Grace Bible Church on the north side of Montgomery. Instead of the I65 we took the 31 to the 14 to the 9/331 which brought us up to the 80/82 on the south side of Montgomery. The 80/82 took us to the 80/231 which took us to the 231 which should have taken us to the 80/Atlanta Highway. But we missed that road and ended up on the Wares Ferry Road also the 64 which was ok because it took us back to the 80/Atlanta Highway to Cecil Lane! Got that? Yikes! Thanks to Derek for getting us here safe and sound in the dark, rain and rush hour.

We are now here parked behind the Church enjoying some rest after a week of steady travel. We are here to hear Pastor Jerry Lockhart from the Berean Bible Church in New Braunfels - where we were two weeks ago. For 3 days Jerry is speaking on the book of Acts and we are looking forward to learning that part of the Bible. In the meantime we have enjoyed the hospitality, generousity and fellowship of Steve Gotberg, Pastor of the Grace Bible Church also a rightly dividing Church.

Today's Interesting Link: We will most likely take a trip downtown Montgomery before we leave. It is a very interesting place with a lot of history from the Civil War to Civil Rights. Why not visit Montgomery's Chamber of Commerce Website and take a look around.