Travels with Ted

   Traveling recently in the south, seeing the bucolic countryside, city skylines,  and other fascinating places as we rode from New Jersey to Florida, was just the thing I needed, after a difficult move this summer.  New faces, new places, "a change of scenery"! 
  As soon as we got over the bridge, Ted would begin pulling into Waffle Houses all along the way, every time we needed a coffee break!
 


Ted can't resist the friendly, fast service  at Waffle House whenever we stop to refuel !

    

Sign looks vintage!   The American icon, Waffle House, Inc.  began  50 years ago, in 1955,
 with kitchens out front in full view, preparing good, inexpensive food, cooked to order. 

 

Picture of founders Tom Forkner, and Joe Rogers, then and now, continuing traditions
started 50 years ago. Joe said, "We're not in the food business, we're in the people business."

Ted gets his kicks out of stopping at all the Waffle Houses.  I am content to read, soak up the scenery,  and explore antique shops and book stores.
  We indulge in good meals each evening, and  I enjoy swimming  in the motel pools along the way.  The journey soothed my tired   soul! 
Isn't it refreshing to get away for a little while, and combine a little pleasure with a business trip?  

 pretty sweetpea  pattern, Calcough, made in England



A lovely assortment of Roseville Pottery

Good Heavens!  I sure am glad I don't have to use one of these!

Crown Trent, made in England, converted into a hanging planter

some verdant Depression Glass



 verdant Virginia landscape

I met the sweetest ladies, coming from a Red-Hatter's luncheon, and we chatted awhile and admired antiques in one of the many charming antique shoppes in Selma, North Carolina.

Southern Belles

 The  beautiful  Tallahassee Capital Building has red and white- striped awnings
Spanish  moss drapes the huge old Oaks at curbside

 French Poodles, knick-knacks of the fifties.   Poodles are the world's most misunderstood dog.
 They are "Master of all trades, and one of the finest companions any human could ever hope for."

    In Tallahassee, more antiques, and work for several days.  I got to swim each day after work, and finally got some blissful rest in a gorgeous suite!
    Then a pleasant two-day ride home,with beautiful sunny skies.   Hard to believe, that not too far away there was a raging storm taking lives and destroying property.   Traveling an alternative route home, to avoid Hurricane Irene, we were anxious to get home and make sure everyone was okay!  We passed convoys of tree-specialist trucks and disaster-remediation vehicles heading north on the highway to help.  Some motels were full with evacuquees.
   Thankfully, we didn't have much damage!  I pray for many who still endure the aftermath of the storm.

    Now, why is it after a nice trip like that,..... I am ready for a vacation?