Tuesday.....Richland (Jackson), Mississippi

Okay, we're off.  At least us Northerners are.  The Plan came together perfectly today.  Sue got to my house by 10 and after putting her bags in the car, bathroom break...we were off to Little Rock.

Arrived at Sharon's and had a great lunch...she SAID she had smoked the BBQ for two days in anticipation of our arrival.  Somehow I think she misspoke....tasted like Kroger's to me. 

But after BBQ, coleslaw and chips, we then undertook the task of getting everyone's bags, bags, bags

into my car.  THAT was an undertaking.  The real task was seeing if the rear door closed.  It groaned a bit, but it did shut. 

So, we loaded up our bodies and left the City for the Beach.  Took the "scenic" road down through Dumas, Lake Village and Tallulah, Louisiana....slow going, but I was warned of speeding tickets....and was told I was on my own for that...so I observed all speed limits mostly.  Finally, we got on I20 and could go a bit faster. Uneventful.

When we got to Clinton, we found an Applebee's for dinner.  Just in time.  We were dragging and hungry.  When Wanda, Sue and Sharon stopped talking, I knew it was time to eat. 

It was a very good dinner.  Sue and I shared a meal and had to go get our own extra plate, and it took an act of Congress to get our check, but we finally got to get on the road again.  Just as we hit the door, the rain came down.....and, like a good neighber, I offered to pick my passengers up at the door....aren't I sweet?

Anyway, another 30 minutes, through rain, and we arrived at the Best Western in Richland.  It's a nice hotel....we have two suites with King beds....okay, so that's all they had, but suites are nice.

Sharon and Wanda are over visiting now; Sue's in the shower.  Tomorrow is another day, but short.  We have about 4 hours to OB and we'll wait on the Crossett folks (Charlotte and Norma Sue) and Helen to arrive.  We've made a grocery list and will compare it with the others, buy groceries and be ready for the week.  Groceries are for breakfast, lunch and maybe a dinner ....otherwise, we're not cooking for the week.  whoohooo...

Sue's  out of shower, my turn....so that's all for tonight.....

1962

April 11....we are 19 days away from leaving on our annual "ladies only" get-together.  This year, we have selected our destination to be Orange Beach, Alabama.  We'll be staying in the Phoenix West condos right on the beach. 
 
The ladies who have commited to go are:  me (Anita Booles Binns), Sue Wilkinson Judkins, Helen Herrod Washburn, Wanda Clark Doyle, Sharon Doss Burnett, Charlotte Runyan Holliman, Norma Sue Johnson Switzer and Judy Bolin Ray.  Plans are for we "northerners" to meet at Sharon's house in Little Rock on April 30.  Wanda will drive down from Ft. Smith and be there.  Sue will drive down from Mt. Home to Anita's house in Quitman and we will drive to Sharon's.  Since it's about a 10 hour trip for us, we elected to leave Sharon's around noon on Tuesday, April 30, and drive to Jackson, MS and spend the night there.  Then we'll drive on down to OB the next day.   The "southerners" , Norma, Judy and Charlotte are driving from Crossett....not sure what day they will be leaving.  Helen, from Crossville, TN has a private driver and will meet us there .....Dick is bringing their motorhome down to Florida for a visit with his son and will bring Helen by the condo....
 
Regardless, we'll all end up in a beautiful 4 BR/5 BA highrise condo overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.  Thanks to Wanda for handling all of the reservations/research, etc.  Check out this unit 1501....that's us...Phoenix West
 
We'll try to find time (lol) to keep you all updated on this blog to our adventures/ventures while we are away.  Wish some of you that wanted to come but couldn't, could.  Did you get that? 

Until then, .....

1962