Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Memphis Friends

By the time Ben and I went to Memphis to see friends, the camera card had run out of memory. We had a BBQ and some laughs with Billy and his wife Sheila and Kristi and her husband Trent. Later that night, we went to visit Ben's first guitar teacher, Brad Webb, to talk "tube amps" and trade gig tricks and road stories. Brad is a real-deal Memphis blues man with plenty of road behind him. His stories were all the better for his southern drawl and unique way of pacing his speech to emphasize all the right words and phrases. It was fitting that we would make that visit on Ben's 23rd guitar anniversary.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Screaming Lullaby

It works every time (thank God!).

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Baby Driver

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: What's the Special?

We went the Windy City Restaurant with Grandma and Gunker and now that he can eat "people food", Dexter took a look at the menu. He ended up sharing some of Gunker's pasta and Grandma's meatball sandwich. We all also went to the Blue and White Diner where there is nothing on the menu that is not deep fried. We had my favorite, fried pickles, and I also had catfish and fried green tomatoes. YUMMY! Everywhere we took Dexter, people fell in love with him. He charmed every waitress in Mississippi. Man, are we in trouble!

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: The Licker

Drake, the black lab that Grandma and Gunker "adopted", got along great with both Dexter and My Bologna. Drake was very patient and gentle, letting Dexter grab his face and paws. Drake is also a big licker - giving kisses to everyone. Dexter got plenty - I wish I had caught an episode on video. Here's one of Dexter giving Drake kisses.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Jumper

Dexter quickly mastered the skill of bouncing - it looks like he's moved on to some sort of tap dancing. Thanks Grandma and Gunker - Dexter will enjoy this jumper for a long time to come.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Playtime!

Grandma and Gunker made sure Dexter had lots of exciting new toys to play with!

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Mary and Maria in Memphis

We visited a friend of Ben's and her daughter in Memphis. Maria (7 years old) loved Dexter - the two of them played in Mary's guitar case while Ben and Mary reminisced about the old Sevenfour Slide days.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: The Altoff Motel

The Altoff Motel in Quincy, IL is a throwback to the 1950's. Nestled among farms and a "Jesus Saves" 25' cross, it provided us with a comfy and clean place to sleep for a couple of days. Just don't steal a towel or your name will be posted in the office along with other "offenders" who are no longer welcome.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Maid Rites

Ben's dad was thrilled to hear that Dexter could now eat people food and fed him his first Maid Rite (My Bologna got some too)! For those of you who don't live in Quincy, Maid Rites are a type of loose meat sandwich, kind of like a dry sloppy joe, sold at the Maid Rite restaurant on 12th Street.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: The Greats

Quincy, IL. Dexter met his greatgrandparents: Greatgrandma and Greatgrandpa Lansing, and Greatgrandma Wolf. It was a love-fest. Dexter also met his Daddy's Uncle Mike, Aunt Bonnie, cousin Heather, Aunt Joanie (Hi Joanie!), Uncle Eugene, and cousin Tabitha (who is due with her first baby anyday and was really gracious with us when we popped in - unannounced - with Dexter and My Bologna to her cat-filled house for a surprise visit).

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: On the Road

Dexter and My Bologna in the back seat followed by shots of Dexter crossing state lines Illinois - Missouri, Missouri to Arkansas, Arkansas to Tennessee, Tennessee to Mississippi. Ben thought I was nuts for wanting these - maybe I am but I'm sharing them anyway.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09

We are all exhausted after our 10 hour drive home from Mississippi yesterday - Ben is at work, Dexter and My Bologna are napping, and I am reflecting on our journey criss-crossing the Mississippi River practically the length of the country in 100+ degree heat. Everyone traveled very well, easily replacing eating and sleeping schedules with lots of love and visits with family and friends. Somehow we still all managed to get enough food and rest.