Flowers and Feathers: Journey to Cape Girardeau, Apr 9-13

Friday, April 9

At 10:50 am we departed in the RV en-route to Cape Girardeau. Bill had an early doc appointment that delayed our leaving. We haven't seen the Missouri Whitakers in person since September, more than 6 months of hug deprivation.

We drove our familiar route, I-40 to Nashville, Briley Parkway to I-24 which took us to Paducah. At Paducah we left the interstate and drove through northwestern Kentucky farmland to Wickliffe, KY. Between there and Cairo, IL, we crossed the Ohio River. As we cross, we see where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers come together. Today, they are running high from spring rains and snowmelt. When the waters are calmer and lower, we can actually see a clear color difference between the muddy Mississippi and the Ohio.

The little town of Cairo, once a great river port and center of commerce, has devolved to a broken collection of old, once-grand buildings, many abandoned. Over the years we have seen the deterioration and destruction of many buildings. We have toured the old custom house and the public library. We drive through with sad fascination, like disaster tourists. For more pictures of the same street in Cairo, 2009 until present, link here.

Cairo Street, 2009

Cairo Street, 2021

Cairo Street Corner showing old streetcar tracks, 2021

Between Cairo and Cape Girardeau where we cross the great Mississippi, we have many views of the river.

Long barge rounding the bend

Slow-going upstream

Railroad bridge at Thebes

What a joyful reception we got when we pulled into the Whitaker driveway, with lots of good hugs. We had time before supper to catch up on news and see what was new about the house. David has converted a basement storage area into a very nice home office for himself and has created a new storage room from part of the large "den" area. There is still a generous sitting area for TV and games and a sleeping area of us. In the dozen years that they've owned this house, they have made significant improvements.

John has become a little boy since we were together last, but he warmed to us quickly. Evangeline will soon turn 5. Owen and Allison are growing up fast, too. They were all excited that the supper menu was tacos!

Saturday, April 10

We were cool but comfortable overnight in our basement room. As is customary, not long after we had our coffee we heard the patter of little feet coming down the stairs. I always enjoy the morning cuddle and conversation. We had my scones for breakfast with some of the ham I had brought. Before lunch, we had birthday presents for Owen and Evangeline.

Evangeline with a twirley dress and new doll clothes

Owen anticipating

Owen was excited about the basketball goal

John David in his favorite boots, riding his bike

After lunch we (minus Trisha and John) went on a bicycle quest for Owen's and Evangeline's birthdays. Academy Sports had no 24" bikes, Walmart had one that was not suitable. At Target, we found one 24" model and Owen liked it. Evangeline was not interested in getting a bicycle.

When we got back, David & Bill got busy putting together the Basketball goal. It was quite a project and definitely not a one-man job. They worked on it until suppertime.

In the meantime, Owen helped my label and edit my wildflower pictures while Allison and Evangeline played with their dolls and new doll clothes. Trisha and I fixed hamburgers and fried for supper.

They don't watch much TV, so we had stories and play time before an early bedtime. Owen is into robotics and we all enjoyed watching the Boston Dynamics robotic videos. He has been putting together a small solar robot kit with David's help. He was also drawing his own robotic designs.

Sunday, April 11

The morning routine of coffee and kids continued. Scones, toast and eggs for breakfast, then David, Allison & Evangeline got away for Sunday School. Trisha and Owen joined them for morning worship. John David stayed home with us. We played outside the whole time that they were gone. He is independent and resourceful at 27+ months. He loves to swing and climb and push-ride his bike around. He wanders around following and playing with whatever catches his attention. He is easy and fun!

After lunch, kids enjoyed bubbles on the deck and quiet time downstairs while the men watched the Master's Golf tournament. We all had plenty of outside play time, especially with the new BBall goal. David wanted to take advantage of free baby sitters to take Trisha out to dinner. We planned pizza & movie night for grandparents and grandkids.

The Whole Family
Owen, Allison, David, John David, Trisha & Allison

Beautiful Evangeline

The kids have good friends who live across the back fence. The two dads have even installed a gate between the yards so they don't have to climb the fence. They came over in the late afternoon and the gang was having so much fun that our pizza got cold! We finally had to shoo them home at 7. After pizza, the chosen movie was "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, 2" They loved it and we loved that David & Trisha got home just before bedtime.

Monday, April 12

Everyone except David and John slept in this morning. David was out very early to lead a men's breakfast bible study. He was back before we were up. David was busy in his office all morning. We played outside with the kids all morning.

After lunch, while John napping, we took the three 'big kids' to the park. First we had to go downtown to the riverfront to throw a few rocks in the river. It is a tradition and ritual whenever we visit. Then we went on to their favorite playground. There were plenty of kids there. Owen met up with a gang he knew and ran with them the whole time. Allison and Evangeline played together, although Evangeline require of lot of my attention. We were there for more than an hour and it got pretty warm. At 3, we decided it was snack time, so they were willing to leave for home.

Bill and I made a grocery run to get some BBG and extras for our baked potato bar for supper. Before supper, Bill and David took Owen's new bike back to Target to have the rear tire fixed. It wouldn't hold air. Fortunately, it was fixed with a new tube. Owen was glad to try it out in the yard. It is almost but not quite too big for him so maybe it will last a few years.

After supper, David decided to cut a limb or two from the big mulberry tree in their back yard. Bill had brought his chainsaw for that purpose. It turned out to be quite a big/hazardous job. David climbed up into the tree to make the cuts. I couldn't watch. We were very glad when he was back safely on the ground!

After a busy day, we had no trouble sleeping this night!

Tuesday, April 13

We planned a 9:30 departure. Bill had requested sausage for breakfast, so I made sausage, eggs and toast for everyone. We left pretty close to our designated time and retraced our route. We made a few extras stops for pictures of the river and of Cairo.

A little kickball before leaving

Beautiful Allison

The drive home always feels long and tiring because there is not the anticipation of a new adventure. Nevertheless, we were glad to be home and back to our familiar creature comforts. A few days away always give us new appreciation for our home place, humble though it may be.