The Pilgrimage

Our camping trip was near a town that has a yearly tour of homes. I heard about it several years ago, knew it was in April, but really never gave it a thought until maybe May of each year. Always missing it . . .

Well, this year we landed in the town during this event. We noticed the signs saying Eufaula Pilgrimage. That seemed like an interesting way to advertise a tour of homes. I assumed because of the folks walking the streets and all those that rountinely come to have a peek.

As we packed up and left the campground, we came through town to find some lunch on our way home. The streets were a buzz with locals and visitors.

Some were dressed in 1800's attire....

We stopped and ate lunch at a place called the Cajun Corner. It was not bad, but the prices and the portions were in stark contrast- we left hungry but with a chunk of our eating out money gone!

While waiting on our meal, The Man noticed the specials on the board. One item was Surf and Turf, one steak of your choice and one fish of your choice.

The Man: "hmmm, that is a good deal up there"

Me: "which one?"

The Man: "that one"

Me: "there are three . . ."

The Man: "the Surf and Turf . . .you know, since you choose your steak you could get what you want and that is a good deal. Usually "rabbai" is good . . . "

Me: "what kind?"

The Man: "Rabbai - Rabbai usually cost 19.95 a pound . . . . " I don't remember what all was said after that, we laughed and let him know it was "rib eye" not "rabbai." Rabbai being a Jewish priest or minister . . . .

So after lunch we decided to walk around a bit. We came up on one house and decided to tour it You could pay per house or buy a ticket, we did not want to spend a whole day so, at the request of The Man we did tour this one . . .

The Petry house. I am glad we did, it was quite interesting. The same family has lived in this house since the mid 1800's - of course not the original original family - no vampires or living forever, but their offspring. I believe they said 4 generations.

I did not snap any pictures in the house since that seems to be what always gets me in trouble - snapping pictures where one is not suppose too. The house was filled with original furnishings and the folks that live there have been busy rennovating for a couple years. We thought it was interesting that that was the style they lived with - very few modern items were seen, I did not even notice a TV.

At the beginning of the tour we found out why Eufaula calls it a Pilgrimage. Not because those that come to see the homes, but those that give the tours of the homes. Every year the descendents of these homes, children, cousins, aunts and so on, come back to provide the tour. In this house there were grandchildren, cousins, long time best friends that came from as far away as New Jersey to help with the tour -all dressed in 1800's attire for the event.

This particular house turned out to be unique to all the other homes on the tour - it is the only home in the town with the original detached kitchen - that is still workable (is that the word). They do not use it, a newer kitchen was added in the main house, and when the newer one was added, the door was just closed and not thought much of. Each year it is opened back up for the tour...

The backyard had a great little garden area with the fountain in the middle (this is from outside the kitchen door). They even had asparagus growing, inspiration to try it, now that I know it can be grown this far South.

We finished the tour and headed back to the van to head home.

Later, Demolition D said the girl taking payment on the porch of the home we toured, had checked him out.

Demolition D: "pretty cool since my hair was a mess and I was wearing not such great clothes"

Me: "was she cute?"

Demolition D: "yep, and you know, I kinda liked the dress she was wearing. I think those dresses should be worn by more girls. Better than jeans and junky clothes. "

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm




That's my world . . . check out more sites from around the globe here

The Year's At The Spring

And day's at the morn;

Morning's at seven;

The hillside's dew-pearled;

The lark's on the wing;

The snail's on the thorn;

God's in His heaven -All's right with the world!

~Robert Browning

What is my world like now?
Warming up! Cool mornings and pleasant afternoons and plenty of color abounds . . .

And with that color . . . .

Pollen . . .

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

Check out others showing their world here

My World This Tuesday

A glimpse into the world around me . . .

Signs of spring are starting to emerge. Even though it seems too early, the calendar is making its way to the end of February, March is next week! Even if I am not out enough to see it, my nose and inner ears are starting to itch, that and the calendar means, around here, that colors are about to burst forth and spring will have been released!

Our yard is full of pine trees and azaleas and red tips - all of which keep green on them all year. The dogwoods are still stripped bare.

but there are some changes starting . . .

The first azaleas are starting to bloom!

And some miniature daffodils . . .

Even blooming rosemary . . .

And soon I will be able to show the show the azaleas and dogwoods put on!

I am playing along with That's My World Tuesday's. Check the sites from around the world!

Pow Wow

Every year a local park host a Frontier Days on the second weekend of January. Over the years we have made it a point to go out and visit. My first time attending the event was in 2002, when Will was an adult leader with Ocho's scout troop who also participated in the event. The days of Ocho and scouts have passed, but we still go check it out.

In all honesty, I go for a different reason than the fellas. I have a friend whose husband, and kids and in-laws have participated in the event through the Royal Ambassadors programs with the Assembly of God churches for years. They moved "up state" quite a few years ago now, but still participate in this festival. With busy schedules this is an easy time meet up and catch up. They have the canvas tents, blankets, cookware and all the attire for the weekend.

Here is her husband

He had another outfit the day we were out there, she said he looked like a leprechaun with his hat, green jacket and socks and pointing moccasin shoes. She is planted in current time, now - I wish I could find the picture I have of Becca, her husband and oldest son when he was very young . . .of course she might not enjoy that! She stays in their camper while the guys stay in the tents. She says she's "been there, done that and has the t-shirt." But it is great to see the guys still dressing the part.

We almost missed this one this year. In previous years, small teepees are placed near hotels and main interesections in town about the week before the event. I think the lack of the tents is also a sign of the times - I am not sure the cost associated in setting up the tents, but I would bet that would explain the lack of visual reminders around town. I am so glad Becca sent me a message they would be there!

Many times the weekend is very cold - at least cold for this area! Not this year. It was quite mild and with that, there were many more vendors and canvas tents. Many travel around to these events, others participate from closer by, from nearby towns. Those with skills of an era gone by demonstrate for those of us that completely modern day.

Home made soaps are made, tools are demonstrated, sodas in good ol' glass bottles for sale. As we walked among the tents and vendors one lady demonstrated a type of dulcimer and I realized quickly she was playing the song sung at our wedding - "Tis A Gift To Be Simple." It was beatiful. Becca said they had fried pumpkin bread and hubby got an order with the fritters. It was wonderful!

So some pics of our world this past weekend . . .

Demolition D and Will and, not waiting for us, The Man (had to get to the hatchet throwing)

This fella was pretty interesting . . . as was his friend

You can see the tail of a fuzzy little creature in the picture above. The gentleman's friend was a Sugar Glider, a cute nocturnal creature from the land down under. The gentleman had the glider on a leash. As we watched the funny character, you could see it eagerly watching for the next thing to jump on. He managed to jump onto an unsuspecting child once, bless his heart, he screamed and jumped and laughed - the whole time the critter was running all around him.

I did take my turn at letting this cute creature glide across to me. It was a little creepy feeling having this fuzzy critter running around my back and over my shoulder, but he was too cute!

We later saw the gentleman without his friend. When Becca's daughter asked him about the Glider he said he was down for a nap.



Becca and her daughter left the frontier to the boys for a while and came home with us for a spontaneous dinner. When we returned to the park, it was after dark and there was a light drizzle. The sounds of the fires and the few instruments playing was soothing and transported you to a time I have never experienced. Under one of the pavillions, folks were gathered and trading items: blankets, hatchets, lanterns etc. They were having fun enjoying each others company and a world that is probably so far from their everyday lives.

As for next year? We will be there, not in dress, but we will stay in the "modern" campground adjacent to the festival. We will enjoy the sounds and smells and sites that those who love this time gone by so much, share with those of us with our feet firmly planted in the new millenium.

Happy Birthday Becca!!

Travel the world through pictures at That's My World Tuesday . . .