November 8, 2009 “Before Elvis, there was nothing” … John Lennon. Today we went to Graceland and speaking as one who didn’t really know what to expect, it was just wonderful. Bill dropped Donna and I off…he and John had no desire, and we went on the tour. Of course the entire area is built up with souvenir shops, restaurants, souvenir shops, museums, souvenir shops….One wonders what the area was like when Elvis bought the place in the 60s. Graceland itself is somewhat modest as far as estates go although the house sits on some lovely acreage with stables and corals for the horses that are still kept there. Touring the inside of the house was like stepping back into the 60’s and 70’s as everything has been left exactly how it was in 1977. Elvis’ ... read more

November 4, 5 and 6, 2009 You’ll have to forgive the Bloggers for their lack of communication over the past several days…but we’ve been sooooo busy. “Busy doing what” you might ask. Well this is the grueling schedule we (by “we” I mean me) have had… 9am: Slowly rise from the Westin Heavenly bed and amble over to the deck off of our room and step out. Sit and gaze at the majestic ocean as the waves roll onto the shore…perhaps read a chapter or two and then get dressed. By 9:30 there is a gentle tap on our door and it is Donna and John calling me to breakfast. (I should say at this point that Bill has been up for hours checking out sun rise and giving a few tips to the workers ... read more

November 2, 2009 “Look underneath the hot dog” Another wonderful day! Today the weather was somewhat cool and cloudy. After a quick trip into town to buy more reading material for the beach, Marie, Donna and I sat by the pool and “read”. By “read”, I mean talked about…oh just about anything…talk, talk, talk! For example: There were several people sitting around the pool eating onion rings who really would have been better served in the gym…you know…that kind of “reading”! Now here’s the interesting part. On one of the hotel decks there is a seating area with comfy chairs and a fire ring. We have been eyeing it since we arrived but there are always other guests at it. Sometimes they say, “Sit down with us” but we don’t want to…we want it all to ... read more

October 30 and 31, 2009 Today was a loooong travel day. We left our wonderful hotel in Destin and started out for Jekyll Island, Georgia. We had reservations there so that was our goal. It turned out that we had bitten off more than we could chew!!! It was quite a distance and we probably left later than we should have. Again, on this ride, the time changed…honestly…Donna and I who have such a tenuous grip on reality on a good day, cannot for a minute keep track of who, what, where, when or how!!! Not much excitement to report on the way. John did start a lecture on another bird that he saw…again pulled right out of his you know what…but our eyes glazed over and he stopped talking! Because it was so late (and ... read more

October 29, 2009 Surprise! Today we left New Orleans heading for Destin Florida. On the way we passed through Mississippi…and here is the surprise…Mississippi has some of the most beautiful cost line that we’ve ever seen! I had no idea!! White sandy beaches, palm trees…I thought I was in Florida…wait until you see the pictures! We bought sandwiches and stopped at a rest stop to eat…and that’s where Professor Kennedy gave his impromptu discussion on…of all things…birds. While we were eating, a couple of black birds were hopping around, hoping for a little snack, no doubt. One of us wondered aloud what kind of birds they were. That’s when John spoke up and said “They’re Tennessee Warblers”. We said “really?!!! (We were in Alabama)And he said “Oh yeah…they’re indigenous to this area”. We didn’t believe him ... read more