June 12, 2004

Day 2 of 16

We started this day late with lunch at Taste of Thailand in Hoover, Alabama just outside Birmingham with old friends (my favorite Thai place in the world :) We shared Sweet & Sour Shrimp, Chef's Special (Thai Spaghetti, veggies) Coconut Milk Soup, Spring rolls, Thai Ice Tea and a small order of Sushi, etc.

After lunch we headed to Helen Keller's birthplace in Tuscumbia (Northern Alabama). It was very interesting and something Naomi has wanted to see for years. Heather even impressed another guest with some of her new found knowledge. There was a picture of Heather Whitestone. Naomi asked Heather why there might be a picture of her at Helen Keller's home. Heather stated very clearly that she was the first Miss America with a disability and she was deaf just like Helen Keller.

We then headed for Mud Island in Memphis, TN. Unfortunately we got there pretty late, but we were able to ride the tram, visit the museum and walked most of the Mississippi river replica. We then headed for the Peabody, Memphis for dinner but their diner was already closed for the night. We visited the ducks in their penthouse on top of the Peabody and then headed west toward Little Rock, AR.

We didn't arrive at the Peabody in Little Rock until about midnight, ordered room service for dinner and turned in for the night around 2 am.

We covered 4 states today, AL, MS, TN and AR. My favorite part was lunch, but the rest of the day was nice too. Again we had good car time, no problems and it was a nice drive. We had a little rain, but it actually cooled the day off a little. Driving late into the night has actually been nice as it is much cooler. We will get a late start tomorrow too and should be on the road ending in Texas late tomorrow night.

Main Trip Page Days: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Heather & "Bob"	Heather, Naomi, Mary, Mitch, Kim, Kent & Pat @ Thai for Lunch		Kim's bug w/ bike rack (she came from a Triathlon that morning
Angelisa and New Friend :)		Kim & Me with our bugs	Helen Keller's House
			Helen's clothes


		Her first braille typewriter	Christening Gown
		Well Pump where she spoke her first word "Water"


	In front of the Cabin she lived in with her teacher


	Outdoor stage they do a Helen Keller Play
			Gifts by Lion's Clubs from all over the world
	Tribal poles from New Zealand Lion's Club




Mississippi border		rainbow	Tennessee border
Mud Island, Memphis






		Memphis Pyramid	Angelisa in same spot Eastern Caravan took photo in 2000
Building being torn down in 2000 became a parking lot	Duck Palace - Memphis Peabody
	Memphis Peabody Elevator floor	Memphis Peabody Duck fountain	Arkansas border