Another new state

Sam's sister Faye offered to feed the cats, so last Friday we pointed the Honda south towards Florida. (But first, what a handsome family, eh?)

Dingus and Frankie are still not totally enjoying the trip, but they're warming up to it and to Aunt Faye.

I know that for all of you in the Midwest, the South, the Northeastern and Northwestern states, views like this are old hat. But for us Arizonans, it's amazing to see trees this big and green grass everywhere. This is a freeway. Those trees on the left are in the median!

Sam pointed out that southerners sure do like their watermelon. Wow.

On the Georgia-Florida border, the trees sported moss hanging from the branches.

In Jacksonville, we were thrilled to spend time with my cousin Linda and meet her husband Kevin.

Kevin has amazing renovation skills and he and Linda have  transformed their home into a beautiful little mid-century modern gem. This spice rack hanging on the kitchen wall was from a 1950s era refrigerator.

The next day, we explored the Riverside Arts Market.

And listened to live music.

On the waterfront.

We had lunch at this great, innovative farm-to-table restaurant. It was a really fun couple of days.

As we headed back up the highway, we stopped for dinner in Valdosta, Georgia, at Steel Magnolia's restaurant.

Even in the summer heat, our rooftop table in the shade, with a 3rd story view of downtown, was a treat.

We shared three appetizers: fried green tomatoes, pimento and pork wontons, and barbecued pork deviled eggs; then finished with peanut butter chocolate pie.

Sam wanted to document the blogger in action.

After supper, we walked a few blocks around town to admire the 1800's era buildings. Valdosta was the childhood home of Doc Holliday, friend of Old West lawman Wyatt Earp. He was one of the gunmen at the infamous gunfight in 1881 at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. The town of Tombstone is just 35 miles from our Pumpkin Patch Ranch, and the movie was filmed partially at the movie studio we can see from the ranch.

Our time in Georgia is winding down, but I am thankful we were able to come.