Back in Raleigh

We got back from the Jamaica mission trip this weekend, and plan to resume our USA travels on Monday, July 6th. Here are a few pictures: We worked at the Street's home..a family we have worked with over the years. Another project was a cement court for the kids to play on at the church where we have built new buildings over the years. One group built bleachers for spectators.

French braided by Lauren

above is "Grandma" as we all call her. She lives in a small home previous mission trip groups built for her and her daughter and a few grandchildren.

We took time out for an afternoon on the ocean and picture is with her grandchildren...what a beautiful country, and wonderful people.

Family Reunion in Rocky Mount

On Friday, June 12th we had a low country boil and cookout at our farm in Rocky Mount for the Strickland Family Reunion (Steve's Mom side). There were 43 adults and a some children that enjoyed good food and good company. If you aren't familiar with "low country boil" it is a big pot of boiling water with lots of spices to cook shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn and carrots...very good stuff! On Saturday, the guys played golf and on Saturday night we had the 46th Annual dinner...always the 2nd Saturday in June at Gardners Restaurant.
Below: Kyle, Katie, Carol, & Steve...Steve with his Mom, and some of the family in front of the sign.
Our church youth pastor asked Steve and I to help out with a mission trip for High School Seniors to Jamaica, so Steve left Tuesday with the advance crew, and I leave tomorrow. We'll be back late on June 26th, and plan to leave to continue Exploring the USA July 1st.

Back in Raleigh

We left Memphis on Friday morning, as Kyle's grandmother died early on May 8th. We made it to Hickory, North Carolina where we spent the night, and got in to Raleigh around noon on Saturday. The travel trailer, we now call it the Sugar Shack, is at the dealer for servicing.

Our daughter Katie was in town for the ACC Championship with the Virginia Tech softball team, so we were able to go to the game (they lost) and had breakfast with her this morning before they left. We're now at the farm with Steve's Mom and with Kyle. Kyle is leaving to go to his Uncle Doug's tonight, and we'll be going to the funeral tomorrow in Norfolk, Virginia. A nice Mother's Day unexpected treat for Steve's Mom and for me.

Going Home

We had Memphis ribs last night, and walked around Beal Street. Today we are headed back to Raleigh. Kyle's Grandmother (his Mom's Mom) is critically ill and not expected to recover, and we want to be there for him. We had planned to be home around May 23 for a few weeks for the Strickland (Steve's Mom) Family Reunion June 12 & 13th. We'll be on the road for the next couple of days..pray for us and the Glass family.

Leaving Arkansas

We have enjoyed this park, and below are some of the sights: the cave, waterfalls, sunset (and a skunk just walked in front of us). Winthrop Rockefeller moved to this mountain and developed a cattle ranch..and there is a neat hotel/conference center with a gallery of his accomplishments. We're off to Memphis, Tennessee today.

at Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas

We got in yesterday, and today have a sunny day today to go hiking and bicycle riding (high in the low 70's today). The name of the park came from the legend of Petit Jean, a french girl who disguised herself as a boy to come to America with her boyfriend. the park is in west-central part of the state, about 40 miles from Little Rock. Can't wait to see the falls and other interesting geological formations.

in Hot Springs, Arkansas

We have been touring this area, and on Friday took the "Duck" tour...the vehicle that goes on land and water. Unfortunately, the driver was not a good tour guide, but oh, well, we saw some things we wouldn't have on our own. The next stop was the tour of the Fordyce Bathhouse, established as a National Park to protect the 47 hot springs and 8 bathhouses. A wonderful tour guide explained how the early 1900 people came to seek health cures from the hot springs water. We then went to the Buckstaff Bathhouse...the only one that has stayed open since 1912. The experience was just as the tour guide said and it went like this: men and women separated and undress (the women wrap in sheets as they went from station to station..Steve says no sheets for the men), soaking for 15 minutes in whirlpool tub of the thermal mineral water after an attendant washing you , then to a sitz bath, then a steam bath, then on a table with hot pads, then a needle shower, then to a cool down room...and at each station given the hot mineral water to drink. Amazing!
On Sunday we went to Little Rock to tour the Clinton Library



Bill Clinton's home in Hot Springs

Where we stayed

There are jug fountains so you can fill up on the hot springs water

The tub, steam metal box, and sitz bath

Bathhouse row

Inside the Clinton Library

a replica of the oval office

The library from the outside

The State Capitol..modeled after the U.S. Capitol in D.C.