It turns out the interstates through MS look much like those through central NC, so Denise wasn't interested in taking pictures. However, we did note we had to be getting closer to home because we followed:
We did not go to Piggly Wiggly. If you aren't from the Southeast, yes, this is a real grocery store.
We stopped in the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge just south of Huntsville, AL (another new state for Denise). Theoretically they have an enormous variety of wintering waterfowl. We saw thousands and thousands of Sandhill Cranes (more than in Bosque del Apache, but further away), a bunch of Canada Geese, a few Greater White Fronted Geese, and some Coots (which look really funny walking around on the ground). Here are Sandhills coming in.
We also did their little nature walk where we saw standard East Coast tweety birds -- Carolina Chickadees, Eastern Towhees.... Here's Denise in the cyprus swamp.
We were either extreme rednecks or great wildlife biologists when Denise insisted we pull off on the shoulder of the road to look at a roadkill armadillo. He really resembles a hard-shelled possum and everyone who has them around seems to hate them. They also tend to become part of the asphalt at similar rates to the standard possum.
Then we made it to Deborah and Wonderful Tom's house! It looks like it belongs in a designer home magazine. They've done a tremendous job -- walnut flooring, all the hardware is beautiful, a granite counter tops in a kitchen Catherine would kill for. What makes the house special is that much of the furniture and mementos used to be in their parent's houses. The blend is seamless and the finished product is stunning.
Two cats( Mattie--all black and Tia Maria--a Himalayan with a poodle cut) live with them. Needless to say they are spoiled.
Outside, it was 75 degrees. As they don't want more people in the area, Tom explained it's often in the teens and even single digits in Northern Alabama. Catherine doesn't believe it. Deborah's yard will be in bloom 3 of the 4 seasons and the view of the azaleas from the pool must be breathtaking. Catherine likes the Weeping Holly as well.
We got a walking tour of the neighborhood (all stone and brick houses) and a golf cart tour of the woods, golf course and stream. I should have had my camera out because the house, yard and neighborhood are gorgeous. It's all very different from the last time Catherine visited -- September '03 when she and John were leaving the East Coast, dating and CA bound. The house didn't have walls, the pool was a hole and they didn't have neighbors yet.
We had a scrumptious dinner pork loin (it even tempted Catherine to try a bite), celery with homemade cream cheese dip, roast cauliflower, beans, cornbread (Denise showed them how to make it country-style, cornmeal, water, and salt cooked in a hot oiled pan), potatoes gratin, and a Butterfinger cake! Catherine is fairly sure she'll never eat ever again.
It's been several years since we've seen Deborah and we stayed up late chatting and laughing.
Now that we know the way, we'll be sure to come back soon (if they'll have the scruffy relatives)! Tomorrow, with a bit of luck, we'll find I40 and be home!
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