Thursday, November 23, 2006

Our Thanksgiving day

Cliff and I left on the motorcycle this morning around 9:45, and got back home at 3:45.  We had a nice, relaxing time cruising through farm country. 

Our destination was Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge.  We didn't see any geese, but we spotted hundreds of ducks, three eagles, and a snake.

Coming home, we passed through Brunswick, Missouri, the pecan capital of the world, and saw the world's biggest pecan.  Sorry, Cliff didn't stop for me to get a picture.  It wasn't a REAL pecan, anyhow.

Missouri isn't very photogenic in the winter... mostly browns, tans and grays.  We saw lots of huge farms on the fertile river bottom land,  many of them irrigated (thanks to global warming I'm sure) and a few four-wheel-drive tractors at work, even on this holiday.

We went through several rural towns:  some were sad, with half the buildings and houses vacant and falling down; others were proud, and provocative with their beauty.

Driving past farmhouses, it was interesting to see that at 75% of them, nobody was home.  At the other 25%, cars filled up the driveways and yards... obviously that's where the big Thanksgiving dinners were being held.

I cooked Monica's birthday hamburgers this evening for her whole family, plus Charlene and Pat (Cliff's sis and hubby).

A wonderful day, topped off by a telephone call from our son. 

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving! xoxBarbara

Anonymous said...

Glad you had a wonderful day and I am glad I enlarged the pictures you posted.  YEP, it's a snake alright..............YIKES!         Anne

Anonymous said...

::Amy covers her eyes::  Snakes make me cry.  I'd have been standing on top of the picnic bench til it left....hee hee....

I love pecans....especially sugared ones....

~Amy

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you guys had an absolutely wonderful Thanksgiving!  What better than a day trip on a motorcycle with your hubby?  I loved the pics!
Can't believe you messed with that snake. I'd have run for the hills! LOL!
Glad you had a great day!
Pam

Anonymous said...

Hey I will take on a snake anyday before a rat....I think Hollywood ruined me....the photos were pretty...especially the lake...-raven

Anonymous said...

Burgers on Thanksgiving?  PERFECT!  That should be the norm.

Russ

Anonymous said...

Our country side has just about the same colors now.  We are enjoy weather in the 50's and sun for a few days !  I treasure the time spent with family !  Glad you had such a nice day.  One for your memory book for sure !  'On Ya' -ma

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful Thanksgiving day to me. I am surprised a snake was out. That is a biggg goose behind you. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us. Helen

Anonymous said...

What a great peaceful day!

Anonymous said...

Glad you had a good day, Donna! :)

Jackie

Anonymous said...

Iti s sad when you go thru these small towns and see so many vacant places. Pat and I see that all the time.
Sounds likde a good Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

Hello~
Looks like you two had a really nice ride. My gosh, what kind of snake was that? Moving to Missouri my biggest fear is the snakes....ewwww. My Mother-in-law has told me many stories about snakes around there farm and I'm always so impressed about how calm she is about it. I sure wouldn't be! LOL But I guess I'm going to have to get used to it right?

Happy Thanksgiving (late)
Huggers,
Gayla

Anonymous said...

Wish I was in Missouri so I could visit Rocky Ridge Farm.  Sigh.  I so want to go there!!  Glad ya had a good day!!  Hugs,
Lisa

Anonymous said...

OK, here's the deal.  I sometimes pull up your entry and see the newest pics.  Other times (like 3 times today,) I pull up your entry and see pics from 3 days ago which have NOTHING to do with this entry.  Stupid free AOL.

Anonymous said...

Jealous...Jealous...Jealous...Yes I am!