March 11th - Trip to Athens and Rome Begins! And Helen, GA

Monday, 3/11/24: AA took her shower and finished packing, I went back to VyStar to add the country of France to her debit card due to her new flight itinerary.
We left early for the JAX airport, and then waited for all students to arrive, met up with her travel buddy Kathyrn McNeill. After checking in at the counter, all were heading to security. We texted with AA all through the afternoon and into Tuesday when she arrived in Athens. A few mishaps between delayed flights and not all getting on the flight from Paris to Athens.

We went to Larry's home to check on it, then had Chipotle for a late lunch/dinner and watched the Voice, blind auditions.

Tuesday: Azaleas have been blooming!

Ford did not sleep well, but we packed and got on the road with Ginger. We had lunch at Buc-Ee's - their BBQ sandwiches are still not very good - don't need to try again! Ginger did well, did her business on the two stops we made.

We got settled at our home - very steep road but a great look out over the town of Helen. The house needs some updating, refreshing inside and the lower deck was not appealing at all - needed cleaning, chairs, and absolutely no charm. Ginger did like the fenced yard, just needed to be careful as large dog lives next door (this is a duplex). 

We went to Betty's Country store and bought ribeye steaks to marinate - Ford will grill tomorrow. Nice store, lots of unique foods plus the regular groceries (is owned through IGA). We bought an carrot muffin for Ford and a blueberry banana one for me, our breakfast.

Once we found the parking lot for the Hofbrauhaus & GI Germany Pub (www.hofbrauhaushelenga.net), Ford ordered the Jager schnitzel with beef and mushroom gravy, side of sauerkraut and German potato salad. I had the chicken schnitzel with the Swiss and cheddar cheese gravy (seemed more like Velveeta) with mashed potatoes and roasted carrots. Nice view of the Chattahoochee River. We sat inside, and it was so cold. We were chilled, and our food cooled off very quickly. I had a German beer small, and Ford had the red ale which was the Paulaner Oktoberfest beer. We enjoyed it but will try a different place tomorrow, our server recommended Paul's Margarita Deck. We sipped on a glass of wine back at the home, walked Ginger and relaxed.

Wednesday: Read separate post.

Thursday: We checked out at 10:30 and started our drive to the Read's. We went on many back roads and even took a steep, winding road to finally arrive at Fairhaven Farmhouse at 5:10 p.m. We had made several stops, getting gas, restroom breaks (taking turns as one stayed with Ginger at all times) including eating our Publix lunch in the Publix parking lot. 

We unpacked and took Ginger to the Read's - she played fairly well with Seymour, Sidney (15 years old, pain in joints, using THC) and the Australian Shepard, Molly. Ginger was overwhelmed but joined in the fun and running. Cliffreida served us brie cheese wrapped in phyllo dough with orange fig preserves. Delicious. Dinner was a large salad and mushroom soup with rosemary bread.

I have a cold, seems not to be allergies - CG gave me a Zyrtec-D which helped.

Friday: After a fitful night with Ginger pressing me to the edge of the bed, we got up after 7:00 and I worked for an hour. We went to Jim's house for another delicious meal - corned beef with spinach, onions in a biscuit muffin tin. Ginger enjoyed more time with the three puppies, and we watched the UT basketball team lose to Mississippi State. Jim made his guacamole, and we opened the bottle of wine, Bordeaux, that was Larry's. Micah arrived and helped remove the cork (he works at a winery/vineyard) and he judged it drinkable - it was against odds, but it was good, lost some of its body but very drinkable. A toast to Larry and Charlotte!

Jim and nephew Micah toasting to Larry and Charlotte:

We went back to the house, taking Ginger, a brief rest and I decided that my cold is worse, don't want to infect their guests. So Ginger and I stayed and watched the newest movie Persuasion. 

Saturday: We decided to leave a day early due to my cold. We will be home for Sunday's St. Patrick's Day. We drove all day, arrived home at 9:15 p.m. After unpacking, settling Ginger, we went to bed after midnight (and Ford had a nap in the LR chair). 

Unfortunately, Sid was not feeling well for a long time, his back/legs gave out and he was put to sleep/died on 03/18/24.

At the guest farmhouse - Fairhaven:

Sunday: We slept well, started laundry, cooked egg-in-toast, washed dishes, walked Ginger, did a little work, and by noon, went to Larry's home to pick up mail and shop at the Fresh Market. Bought some stables, a pizza for dinner and beef/veggies for Irish Beef Stew (make it tomorrow, Monday). We texted Kathy McD. about going to the RH for their St. Patrick's Day party - music and birthday cake for Kelly. We brought Kelly flowers and had a good time talking loud over the music and crowd - maybe 60 people there by the time we left at 4:45. We chatted about our driving trip, toasting with Larry's 2001 bottle of wine, driving on crazy steep, narrow roads. Kathy talked about Hugh's health, Maureen getting more outspoken, tough to manage. Beautiful weather on the RH deck (didn't take any photos).