Sweet Home Alabama

Where do we begin to write about our visit with Rhonda and her family in Hamilton, Alabama?  Probably first, to say, we missed you, Tony!  (We visited while Tony was working his stretch at his hospital).  Then, thanks to you all for a wonderful, wonderful visit!

We were greeted right off by excited children who had been counting the hours till we arrived (how cool is that!), pumpkins with our names on them, decorations for Halloween, a fire in the fire pit (that’s Seth’s specialty!), and a circle of smiling family. 

After dinner, we were treated to a night-time hayride, with 12 yr old Ben driving the tractor for our ride that evening.  S’mores around the fire ring.  

And I have no idea why all that was underlined, but I'm not going to spend time figuring it out.

Maddie and her niece Chloe

And a second hayride the next day, with Ben driving one way, and 10 yr old Seth driving us back.  Two very competent, knowledgeable young fellows.......Maddie to tell tales of caring for orphaned cows............

Lots of cows on Grandpa Quenton’s land, lots of dogs to accompany us, great weather. 

This little calf was bottle-fed by the kids till it could feed on its own.

A swing the children made up of old  strapping from Grandpa’s barn and gave us lessons in swinging,  and lessons on how you can punch in a fire ant hill without getting stung. We did not take part with  return demonstrations on the fire ants............

This swing was really really fun.  Once I got done shrieking.  Ben, Seth, and Maddie don't shriek.

OK, I have to say, this is an amazing picture, Ben and Chloe

Thank you, Ben, for being willing to let me take this.

We gave lessons on photographing reflections in the big pond and Mom’s pond.  They told tales of tornadoes and we saw the lasting tragic results from April’s terrible tornadoes.

Rhonda, Ben, Seth, and Madison, Katie, Haley and little Chloe, we thank you so much for an unforgettable visit, and the warmest memories, and a deep hope that you (with Tony)  will all be in California one day, and be in your California “home” with us!  We loved every minute......well, maybe not the howling dogs the night the coon hunters were in the forest nearby.......but everything else, the company, food, laughter, baby Chloe, the trips to Myrtle’s house, Grandpa Quenton in his golf cart checking the property, meeting all the extended family, “Trunk or Treat” at the church celebration, DONUTS!, and THE BARN.  The barn was like stepping into an episode of American Pickers, to see the collection of stuff over decades of life.  A room of plows!  A room of glass mason jars and other glassware.  Gave me chills!  Could have stayed a week just poking around in there.  

So, this is just the first post about our Alabama family.  We are currently in the middle of nowhere, in Seminole Canyon State Park, Texas, on the WiFi they have.  Geekdom knows no boundaries.

If it will load photos, I'll do another post tonight.  It is a full moon tonight, clear skies, high desert sort of place.  Going on a hike with the ranger in the AM, down the canyon, to see pictographs.  Making our way home.                 RJ