Vacation, Day 9, 10/29/2009, Part 6

First, let me explain my recent absence. It's the same song, four-jillionth verse. Been too busy. Been too tired. The only new thing was a nasty allergy-induced crud which, thankfully, is on the way out. Well, maybe until something else blooms or leafs!

Back to vacation in Talladega, Alabama. Kay and her grandson Ian had a blast playing golf--I had a blast taking lots and lots photos. And if my little white iBook Honk weren't so-slow-to-go, I'd have had a blast putting these two photos through some special effects at Picnik. Enjoy!

Kay swings her club at the ball.


Ian makes a powerful swing that results in a long gone ball and a flying divot.


One of the beautiful scenes at the golf course.


Ladybugs swarmed now and then as we tootled around the course on the golf cart. I finally got one in a photo!


Go, Portland Trail Blazers! We're in the first round of the NBA Play Offs, seeded #6 in the West, first game some time on Saturday. Yippee!

Vacation, Day 9, 10/29/2009, Part 3

Thursday continues. Ian and Kay ride off somewhere in the golf cart. Looks like the ghosts are about the fly off the canopy!


Milton's plastic basket drying rack, tied to the sink's metal frame with white cord.


The opposite end of the sink frame holds a piece of plywood, placed over the opening for the other basket. The S-hooks have been put to use, too.


Milton's at work to stop the cords from fraying.


Now he's pulling on each piece.


Snap!


Now that he has altered all of the strings that he needs, Milton has moved the plywood, put the things to drip dry in the basket at the opposite end of the sink, and goes about tying this basket into the frame.


In no time at all we're in the truck, heading into the town of Talladega, going to a grocery store, of all places!


The drive took us along several country highways.




This shot reminds of the Blue Ridge over east by the Appalachians.


Lovely home surrounded by trees. I held the camera at the window and clicked off four or five, pointing it to the right as we went by. I got this one, thank goodness.


Imagine our surprise when we came upon TM Cars on the outskirts of Talladega. You see, Milton's first name starts with a T, and at work everyone calls him TM!


We went by the clubhouse at the golf course before we headed for the grocery store. Kay and Ian planned to play later on, so they wanted to find out the hours.


"Reserved Drivers Road Test Only," that's what the blue, diamond-shaped signs read. Looking at the photo, I began to wonder about the building, so I Googled, "Talladega Alabama county." That's where I learned that the building is the Talladega County Courthouse. Isn't the Internet wonderful?


I took this photo through the passenger window of the truck. Since I didn't know the name of the theater, I went to Google again. I learned that it was built in 1936 and used to be called the Martin Theatre. It has been restored and reopened as a multi-use community arts center.


I took this photo through the windshield. I can't remember the last time I saw this sort of traffic signal.

More of our tour of Talladega to come.

Vacation, Day 7, 10/27/2009, Part 2

I have heard that standard poodles are way smart. These two certainly look it, perched as they are in the driver's seat. Their people must have been buying gas for the motor home. I can't remember for sure--I just know I couldn't resist taking the photo.


There is no telling, absolutely no telling, what Mama's saying here. She's a hoot, so I'll wager it was funny!

Kay, Mama, Milton, Aunt Baker.

As we made our way towards Alabama, I decided to take photos here and there as I noticed something or other that grabbed my attention. Here you go--some won't need much explanation, some might, some will. I took these photos from the truck, through the windows, so I've decided to boost the color on each of them.

Almost to the Alabama, Mississippi line.


Just over the line. Who'd ever guess there'd be another way to spell Utah?


They make Mercedes Benz just off I 20, between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa.


Kudzu, the bane of the South. Here are some nicknames I found for it on Wikipedia: "foot-a-night vine," "mile-a-minute vine," and "the vine that ate the South" (of the United States).