Readyville

On Sunday, May 3, we finished loading the truck and said goodbye to Knoxville. Michael's dad helped us move and even drove the truck along with our cats to our new house in Pensacola. Since Michael had to be in Memphis on Tuesday morning and we had to be out on May 3, he saved us from driving south to Florida for eight hours, then back north to Tennessee for another eight hours two days in a row. We are so, so grateful to him and to everyone who helped him unload our stuff when it got to Florida! We're so lucky to have such wonderful support from our family!

We decided to stay the night with my aunt Cathy in Readyville, thus breaking up our drive across the state while also getting to visit with family. We both had to drive our own cars, so breaking it into two four-hour trips across two days made it a lot easier. From Knoxville, we drove to Readyville, nonstop. It was a beautiful drive and reminded me what I would miss about living in Tennessee. The hills, how bright green everything can be, the rivers and the big rocks that line many of the highways and interstates. As we neared Readyville, we got off the main interstate and took some back road/highways. This was just even more beautiful! We even passed dozens of horses with riders readying for a trip into the hills. It was like every turn was saying, "See what you will be missing!" But we have enjoyed this for four years, and we know we will be back, at least to visit. The thought of being surrounded by family in Florida (not to mention the beach!) kept us going, but we both agreed that the drive made us think hard about the beauty we were leaving behind.

Anyways, we got to Cathy's around lunchtime and were joined by Jan and AB in the afternoon. Of course we had to take a trip to the creek, which really is mine and Paul's favorite thing to do on the farm.

AB caught a fish!

The poor thing was out of the water a bit long so when we put it back in, Paul caught it and was very excited. We had him let it go immediately and watched as it breathed water-life back into its little body.

AB caught a cool frog!

Pretty little guy. I had to check him out myself.

I'm not sure what AB was hoping would happen here.

Crawdaddy

There was a lot of algae. Ew.

Jumping off of rocks with a little help from AB.

Baby snapping turtle! Small enough that we all got to touch without fear of losing any blood.

Seriously so happy!

AB found a big crawdaddy!

A delicious feast of a dinner prepared by Cathy! You will never go hungry at Cripple Creek Farms. You will also gain weight, no matter how short your stay. From top left going clockwise: french fries, green beans, pinto beans, gravy, baked beans, creamed corn. Not pictured: pulled pork bbq.

Paul loved the green beans so much that he stood up in his seat to serve himself seconds and thirds and fourths. They're always my favorite, too.

Chilling on the couch with his buddy AB.

Breakfast in the morning before we had to leave for Memphis.

There was a minor mishap in the kitchen, so we ate on the porch to let the smoke air out a little. We left soon after breakfast for our week in Memphis. We were so glad we got to stop and stay at Cathy's! We always have so much fun! And leave feeling so full.