Wow,   time does go by!    I had been writing some notes on the rest of our trip south and added some when we arrived,  but never updated the blog.   So I guess it’s time.   Travel notes start here where I left off on the last update:   So after a night in Olive Branch MIssissippi we had some breakfast and started heading southeast across Mississippi.  I22 to US 45 are very nice roads and there were low volumes of cars,  so it was a relaxing ride.   Again, very pretty color in the trees.  We had about 6 hours planned for that day, at the top end of our time in the car.  A couple of hours in we found a Love’s Travel Stop to fill up and stretch our legs. Route US 45 travels from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Mobile Alabama and we have been on it many times in Wisconsin.  What is odd about route US 45 in Mississippi is that while it is a divided 4 lane road there are very few gas stations and restaurants along the road.   And NO state rest stops or picnic areas.  So getting close to 4 hours in we needed a break.  We took a side trip into Quitman Mississippi, a small town with a little restaurant that showed up on our maps.  Cozette’s is in what was once a gas station and serves homemade fast food.   Run by 2 sisters who were inspired by their grandmother (Cozette).   We were welcomed when we walked in the door and in the small confines had a good conversation with one of the owners.   Homemade unsweetened tea and lemonade and some wings gave us a break before we were back on the road.  South Mississippi going into Alabama does not look prosperous.  Lot’s of shacks in the woods and manufactured homes.  Going into Alabama the divided 4 lane goes to a 2 lane highway but still a pretty easy ride.  We rode near Vinegar Bend Alabama and through Citronelle, an area my Great Grandparents farmed and some of my Grandfather’s brothers and sisters are buried.  US 45 did take us into Mobile and then I-10 across the bay to Daphne where we called it a night.  Some drinks and soup at a restaurant near the hotel and then watch the University of Wisconsin football game.  The next morning was breakfast and on the road to Gainesville Florida.Staying under our 6 hours and leaving just over 4 hours the next day.  We have stayed in Gainesville before  and the Fairfield Suites was as good as it was in the past.   And 4 minutes away to Swamphead Brewery, which we also have visited in the past.   They have a nice beer list with a diverse selection including some good sours.   The vibe is relaxing and on a Sunday locals just chilling with their beers and dogs.   We were too late for the brunch food truck but managed to get a pizza delivered that we shared with the bartenders.  So we relaxed, we had a good night back at the hotel and were ready for the morning drive to Boynton Beach.   It is mostly Florida Tollway  to home and an easy drive.  We made it home and unloaded the car, uncovered the furniture, and have been settling in since.  It was good to get back even though it takes awhile to unpack and get comfortable again.   It is good to see old friends again and catch up.   We have had our first grill outs with neighbors.   We visited a couple of favorite places and did the Saturday morning market in Delray.  We are blessed to have so many good people we can call friends.   I have done a little garden work and will got Marie’s condo ready for her.   Marie and MJ arrived on Thanksgiving.  Their flights went well and arrived a few minutes early into West Palm after a stop in Atlanta.     We had most of the meal ready and fired up the oven and the grill and had our Thanksgiving dinner.   For the weekend we were able to meet with our old friend Audrey and get to our favorite brewery before MJ headed back on Sunday.    So time has continued to fly by as I come up with projects that needed to be done.  We helped decorate the Association Clubhouse which was a fun evening, and Chris Marie and I put up some lights in our courtyard.   We have some cocktail hours and there goes the time!  Last night we caught a drone show,  our neighbors saw it start and alerted us.  We guess it had to do with the city tree lighting,  it was amazing.   A figure in the sky would start to scatter and dim and another took it’s place.    Today is the Boynton Beach Christmas Parade.  So we made it to Farmers Market this morning and now the Federal Highway in front of us is closed until 9pm tonight as bands start to gather and get directed to their starting points.   We have had some cool nights,  well not quite what we see up north but hey, 62 feels pretty cold!    Get ready for the season and take care!

Outside restaurant on the edge of Mobile, they moved when they detected movement

Swamp Head Brewery Gainsville

Decorating the Clubhouse Tree

The Decoration Committee

Drone Reindeer

Drone Snowmen

Drone Wishes

Center Trees

South End