Sat, Oct 24, 2020:  Murfreesboro, TN, to Atlanta, GA:  WE WILL NEVER COME THROUGH ATLANTA AGAIN!!!  We left Murfreesboro this morning at 9:00 with me behind the wheel.  Drove through the mountains of Tennessee which were beautiful, but really foggy.  At Chattanooga the highway was all torn up and was a hot mess.  As soon as we found a place to eat and switch, I gladly turned over the driving to Mike.  We ate at Wendy’s in Dahlonega and then continued south on I75.  Poor Mike.  I badgered him because he was driving too fast, too close to 18-wheelers, yada yada.  When we got closer to the 285 bypass around Atlanta, the traffic was even worse.  We finally got on the bypass and then the rain started.  I’m talking a deluge!  Mike said he could see okay, but I could hardly see anything.  Freaked me out!  The rain finally stopped and we got back on I75 south.  Stopped in McDonagh at a Holiday Inn Express, got set up in our room and relaxed.   This one is really nice.  The room cost $200 but they gave it to us for $159.  Didn’t matter. We weren’t going anywhere.  The HI Express in Murfreesboro wasn’t that great.  But the beds are really comfortable.  Even the pillows are great.  Getting a great night sleep is worth it.  Tomorrow we’re going to drive to somewhere south of Gainesville.  It’s 81 here now.  When we left Murfreesboro this morning it was 50 something.  I lived in Atlanta for 7-1/2 years.  The traffic is sure worse.  Would like to stop sometime and see friends. 

 

Traffic on I75 approaching the 285 bypass.

The northbound lanes were bumper-to-bumper.

Fri, Oct 23, 2020:  St. Louis to Murfreesboro, TN:  Left STL at 9:00 this morning.  I drove 2-1/2 hours to Paducah where we stopped for lunch.  It was in the 60s when we left STL.  It was 80 in Paducah.  But the front is looming out there.  We left Paducah at 12:30 with Mike driving and ran into a deluge around Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky.  Temps back into the 60s. By the time we got to Nashville it was 85.  Nice.  There’s a Civil War battlefield, Stones River, a few miles from here.  Really interesting.  We visited there a few years ago.  Tomorrow we have to go through Atlanta.

Stopped at this rest area in Tennessee.  After being in the truck for 3 hours we could hardly walk.  After walking around a bit we were okay.  A pretty day though.

 

Tue, Oct 20, 2020:  Nasty day again today.  We dropped off Dominic’s gift and then picked up burritos for lunch.  After lunch Mike went to Walgreens to pick up a script—only to find they were closed for “deep cleaning.”  Wonder if someone tested positive for Covid?  Didn’t make Mike too happy after schlepping out there in a cold rain.  Played spades for a while.  More left-over steak for dinner.  

Las Vegas

Paris Casino

Luxor

Mon, Oct 19, 2020:  Nasty morning this morning.  But we finally got some rain.  It rained all night long.  We both had errands to run this morning.  I had an early morning doctor appointment and picked up some last-minute groceries.  Mike had to go to Target.  After lunch we played spades for a while.  Left-over steak, mashed potatoes and a vegetable for dinner tonight.  Trying to empty out the refrigerator.  I think the high was 50 today.

Hearst Castle - California

  

Sat, Oct 17, 2020:  After getting the laundry out of the way, I was supine on the couch reading my book and Mike was a busy little bee—getting the chaise pad and plant put away.  Also touched up the paint on the deck, covered the air conditioner and put covers on the outside faucets.  He’s trying to make me look bad I thought.  But, did I get up to help.  Nope.  Played spades with Nomad in the afternoon.  Windy and chilly today.  Supposed to rain the next few days.  I hope so.  We need it.

Catalina Island

They call this the "Casino", but it's really a dance hall.

Fri, Oct 16, 2020:  Low 30s this morning.  A nice, sunny day.  Supposed to be really windy tomorrow.  It’s already started.  We did our last grocery order before we leave.  Have one more doctor appointment and then we’re outta here.  Played spades with Nomad this afternoon and got tromped.  Burgers for dinner tonight. 

Remains of a church--Ireland.

Little cottage--Ireland.

 

 Thu, Oct 15, 2020:  A chilly and gloomy day today.  Good day to curl up with a book—which we did.  After lunch we played spades for a while.  Kicked azz.  Not sure what’s for dinner tonight.  Maybe a grilled cheese sandwich and soup.  Sounds good.

Dominic and me a couple of years ago on an ice cream run.