Sojourn Memories

So finally time to write my thoughts and experience from my road trip to Savannah. I wrote a lot when I was away; I will italicize things written from my journal versus what I am writing now.
We stopped at a rest area in Iowa; to rest our areas lol; so far its clougy and windy but GA's sunshine is calling our name!

We ran into a lot of construction; which sucked because it slowed our time major. We told stories, listened to 90's music the whole way. We made jokes, passing time. I was master of the maps and master of the camera. That was my job. I was good at it too! We had storms almost the whole way there. And back, luckily, GA was sunshine for us!! :)

Michelle called me Captain Obvious a lot, because well, that was me...

I wore dresses and tank tops; planning for GA sunshine, but with the storms, I was freezing when we stopped for gas or drinks etc.


"I'll drive you to the ocean, not in the ocean"- Michelle. "True Friend" - Alicia


"I know the basics of football. Theres huddle, kick and touchdown!" - Michelle. LMAO

Louisville, KY was exciting for us; just because we were past IL and getting close to GA!

Just past Elizabethtown, KY: Alicia was waving at truck drivers and finally one waved back! SO EXCITING! but then he became creeper and was playing games with us to pass him then he would pass us etc BUT THEN he tried signaling us to go to rest stop with him... yeah. NOT HAPPENING. We finally got him on our left as we were coming up on our exit, we edged to the exit slowly so that he could not pull in either. That "game" went on for MILES and MILES. I never waved at another truck driver. I tried hiding actually.

We stopped at Mammoth Caves, KY; we walked around a lot, saw a coyote, turkey and chipmunk. we saw the entrance to a bat cave, but did not go down inside. The air was hot and humid until you got close to the cave then it got much cooler! It felt so nice. We saw a bunch of butterflies; I think someone spilled pop or juice cause they were all there and not moving. Got some awesome pictures though! The walking paths throughout that park were all very nice! When leaving, we were following tour buses; and they were stopping and going off onto the grass... we didnt know what was going on; but then we saw that they were passing and going around a snake! In Iowa, we would have just ran over that, but in that park, they went around it. So silly, but okay... lol


"Smells Pretty" - Alicia commenting on wood burning "Wonder what kind of woof it is?" - Michelle. "Natural" - Alicia

TN surprised me; didnt realize we were coming up and then all of sudden we were passing state line ahahaha! We pulled over for that sign since I was not ready. In my defense, the map was folded right on state line. Thats why we should "FOLD THE MAP!"

Chattanooga, TN/GA. We drove up lookout mountain. So pretty up there. We were going to stop at places but it was $$$ to see the attractions; so we drove past and took lots of pictures of the area. We were zig zagging through the time zones and the state lines; so fun. We did not stop much otherwise; to save money, we pulled into parking lot and ate our food we brought along with us. We then realized the sketchy-ness of the hotel parking lot we were in... that will not happen again! HA!

"Do you need to rest your area?" - Alicia "Nope, my area is just peachy" -Michelle (somewhere in GA, the peach state)

Finally in Savannah:
Woke up to tall ships outside our window. We eat etc and then start walking to Hotel DeSoto; we pass the birthplace and it was so exciting!!!! It was the most beautiful place I have ever seen. I was taking so many pictures. When I came up on the birthplace I almost fell backwards because it was so pretty. I loved it. The whole city was beautiful; the walk ways, the street signs, drain spouts, iron fences, trees... everything was so perfect.
They gave us gift bags and we got lots of goodies in there! I took a lot of pictures; mostly of the architecture. and the area; so pretty. It was so hot but the breeze from the river was perfect. Southern people were polite; we had a young man call me ma'am and young lady as he was working... so nice.
I was the youngest of the group and the only one that had never been to GA before. Toured Birthplace and it was perfect; so beautiful. We sang songs and did crafts etc. LOVED it.
Juliette lived an elegant life and she still wanted to help girls of all races, diversity and class level!
We went to a museum for a reception that was way higher class than I felt comfortable with. I mean... tall tables, wine, art sculptures, mini food etc. They did not have enough tables and no chairs. It was kind of awkward. We left early there and walked around a little before heading back to hotel. LOTS of pictures.
Then I went down to river front alone and walked around. It was pretty and peaceful. It was a Friday night so the place was poppin but still amazing. I loved it. I saw pirates walking around... that was just awesome!!! later to find out they were theatre people :( The ship from Pirates of Caribbean was down along river but I did not see that until Sunday. So cool! We had late nights and early mornings... but all well worth it.
Saturday: we went to history museum that used to be the train station! SO AWESOME. the museum had actual things from Gordon family. The whole city was focused on Juliette and that is just awesome. I loved that. Her family is a vital part of the history of the city. Her grandfather, father, mother etc all made a difference.
Saturday Morning we went to TYBEE ISLAND. Took many more pictures; I wanted to spend more time at the ocean, but that was not really an option cause we had to make it back in time for the brunch thing. They had three speakers and they were reading from letters that were written from Juliette or to Juliette from family and friends. It was so inspirational, I loved it! Daisy was a remarkable woman and I am glad I look up to her in my own life.
We then toured the Savannah History Museum; old train station. The Tour guide really had good information about the Gordon Family and related everything to the Gordons :)
Next was the Ships of Sea museum; it was cool but I was done in 30 minutes and they gave us an hour and half... even the other ladies were done in 30 minutes. We waited outside for an hour before our Trolly came again. While waiting, we saw two cop cars/three police officers get out with intent and hands on guns to go to building across street. They were securing the building before going in. Then we saw or heard nothing.
We then travelled to Andrew Low house. I was excited for this, but was utterly disappointed. They were rich snobby Colonial Dames that owned the place; and they gave us the tour. They basically bragged about how awesome Andrew and Willie. They never had to work because they had money. She only mentioned Juliette a couple times; with no interest. She talked to us like we did not know anything about Juliette. She had some facts wrong and our ladies corrected her! YEAH! When tour was done; I was disgusted and did not want to buy anything. Luckily the Headquaters was next and that cheered me up. They had artifacts and it was educational! I bought "golden eaglet" but it will be shipped to me. Later that night we went to a show at the theatre that Juliette first performed at; so awesome being there. The show was amazing; songs from 60, 70 and 80s! SO enjoyable!
Sunday: we went to church where Juliette attended; that was awesome. We were the only ones along with a few others there. But then we also met her great nephew! what an honor!
We went back to birthplace, did photo on the front steps. Then we did some swapping in between. We were lead to the back for the pinning ceremony; and that was emotional because I was pinned daughter of the house. SO AWESOME. Donie pinned me and it was so emotional. The pinning ceremony got to me when Katharine said we were walking in Juliette's footsteps. I lost it. I was following her footsteps. That is the only thing I have wanted; I wanted and still want to be just like her. And I was being pinned. In. Her. Garden. *heart flutters.
Afterwards we talk with some friends then we do more swapping. Finally we get on the road and head out to the cemetary. I cried again because I wanted here there with me to share storied, ideas and passion. But she was gone. I cried. Her cemetary was beautiful. I hate cemetaries, but hers was beautiful. Her Soul will live forever, and her passion bleeds in all of us. May you never be forgotten and girls everywhere will live for you. Passion is... bleeding blue.

We then went back to Savannah downtown and river front... walked around quite a bit. Then we drove out to Fort Pulaski. That place was awesome too; so powerful and that land was so huge; I cannot imagine being there in the war, just powerful. The city of Savannah was beautiful, powerful and emotional but I loved it so much. I met women that were just like me; passionate. I will never forget those women. Those women are the women of the future; Girl Scouts is the future of growth and positively a better tomorrow.  

We cut lots out of the trip only because we did not leave Savannah until 6pm... We wanted to get home too.
On way Home:
We stopped at a Waffle House in SC; and that was just awesome. I love Waffle House, we need one in Iowa.
We stopped at Chimney Rock and hiked almost 3 miles to and from the waterfall in the mountains. SO PRETTY. I loved hiking, and the waterfall I loved it all. The waterfall was 2x the length of Niagra Falls :) I kept thinking how Indians and ancestors all past through the mountains; I give them props cause even driving through there was challenging. It was beautiful though. We also stopped at the Biltmore in Asheville NC but the tickets were very expensive just to tour. It is known to be the biggest house in America with 8000 acres. They had a garden, winery and mansion on their land, as well as a mini lake thing.
We ate at Waffle House again that night :) YUMM.
We then drove all the way through to Des Moines. We went through parts of Illinois, Missouri and then up through Ottuma, Osky and then Des Moines. It was a long drive all through the night, but worth it.

I will never forget the people I met, the sights I saw, the memories I made. Always will that live in my heart. I walked in her footsteps and I will never forget that.

Thats the end Folks :)