Our Trip: Travels into Kentucky

It's been a whirlwind of a month - starting with our housewarming last month, preparations for it, getting ready for our trip and then taking that trip. After returning we hosted a huge party in our parent's basement & celebrated dad's 40 years of ministry and his birthday.  With all of that going on, blogging really didn't happen! :)  But I am back now and can't wait to share many pictures and memories of our recent "happenings".

     We left on the 18th around noon arriving at our Aunt's house around 7:00 p.m. We spent the evening chatting with her on genealogy & family stories. It was great to look at old pictures and visit. We also coordinated with a friend in Tennessee on plans for lunch the next day. We went to bed fairly early as we planned a rather early start.

     Oct. 19th: Up and on the road early, covering the six hours to Franklin, Tennessee with only one stop. We crossed the Mississippi - the first time for most in the car. A couple of photos from the car by Laura:

The Memphis Pyramid Arena

Our GPS took us down Highway 96 into downtown Franklin which was an absolutely beautiful drive this time of year. The fall colors were gorgeous and we even drove right under the Natchez Trace Bridge! (If I'd realized beforehand what it was, we would've made plans to drive it) We then met up with Mark for lunch, who'd spent time saving us a table at our restaurant of choice. 

After a great meal, Mark took us on a walking tour of Franklin complete with history on the Civil War Battle of Franklin. We stopped by two houses which were used as hospitals during that time. It was rather cool & breezy, so we went to get some hot tea & coffee to warm us up before hitting the road again.

These posts were all over Franklin marking the spots where Generals were killed during the battle - more died there than in any other battle in the war.

 Yum - warming up with hot drinks!

     Driving back into Kentucky later that afternoon was so familiar. I went all over Kentucky 4 years ago but hadn't been to this part of the state, so it was fun to see more of it. Much of it looked familiar - the black barns & fencing, the hills, the gorgeous sunsets. This was my first time to be there in the Fall (been there for all other seasons) and the colors were just beautiful. More pictures from the car window taken by Laura:

     Later that evening we pulled into the Galilean Children's Home and were put up at the Butchie House with the help of Dawn - the Volunteer Coordinator at G.C.H. She was so helpful and accommodating!   It was exciting for me to be back after several years..... and to show my family around - something I've always dreamed of doing - literally. :)  We had time to run down & see my friends Rachel and Angie (who were both working) before settling in & eating dinner.  They came up later after work & we visited and made plans for the next few days as we'd be staying in Kentucky for a little while. And the rest is a story for another day......