January 4, 2016. From Dog Sleds in Colorado to Gulf Shores, AL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 4, 2016.  From Dog Sleds in Colorado to Gulf Shores, AL.  An ardent reader of this blog wrote to ask why there were no photos of Annie and Malachi from our holiday trip to the snowy mountains of Colorado.  The short answer is that Annie and Malachi are, by nature, extremely shy and introverted people.  Well, that's half true.  That said, the author has included a picture showing huskies straining valiantly to haul a portly Malachi across the terrain.  Another photo shows the huskies bouncing atop the snow pulling a much lighter Annie.  After the ride, my dogs laid down and would not move for several hours.  Annie's dogs quickly collected another rider and darted off again without rest.  I am told that my dogs have now filed for disability and are picketing the head musher for lighter loads.  Dogs are funny, aren't they?

So, today, we journeyed from Jonesboro, AR, to Gulf Shores, AL.  I have included pictures showing more southern barns, just to prove the point I made last night.  The barns shown are on their last poles.  They are a dilapidated and frail blight on the countryside.  They are desperately holding on until the next mild breeze carries them away.  Visitors pray the breeze will not be long in coming. 

The "Welcome To" signs speak for themselves.  We crossed some or all of four states today.  The 500-mile drive took longer than I anticipated.  Why, you ask?  Well, you really didn't ask, but I'll tell you anyway.  You will notice that one photo above mentions an Elvis landmark.  That sign is on the outskirts of Tupelo, MS.  It was at Tupelo that I missed a turn and discovered my error only after we had traveled 10 miles in the wrong direction.  That required retracing our steps and it added about 25 minutes to our trip. 

I tried to blame the error on Annie.  Annie objects to the cheery women's voice on the GPS.  So, to placate her, I turned off the sound and got no verbal instruction that a turn was imminent.  Of course, I missed the turn.  After turning back, I turned the GPS volume back on.  As I was explaining to Annie that the missed turn was her fault, the voice was telling me to make another turn.  Of course, I can't talk and listen at the same time, so I missed yet another turn.  Ten minutes later, we were on the correct highway.  Annie pointed out, politely, that I miss turns with the volume off and I miss turns with the volume on.  While the message was delivered politely, I thought that the fact that it was delivered at all was impolite.  Don't you?  No?  Well, you always liked Annie best. 

Tonight, after traveling through the tunnel beneath Mobile Bay, we are restfully ensconced in Gulf State Park.  We have the entire month of January to enjoy the climes of the Gulf Coast.  Feel free to check back to learn more about the adventures of Annie and Malachi in Alabama.  No more barns for a while, I promise.  And, no more missed turns.  I have thrown the GPS in the dumpster.