Day 27 - Douglas and Donald Myers, Tallahassee, Florida

It was an easy drive up to Tallahassee from Spring Hill, only 209 miles. We did make a stop along the way: after passing many pecan roadside stands, we had to stop. We bought some praline pecans for Sandy’s mom and then some for ourselves too. We also got a few pecan rolls, but they will be gone before we get home. We wanted to get Vandalia onions, but with another week left in the car, we didn’t think that would be such a good idea.

We arrived at Sandy’s cousin Douglas’ place in Tallahassee early afternoon. Another of Sandy’s cousins, Douglas’ brother, Donald had just arrived also. Donald lives in Marianna with his wife Elaine and daughter Holly, about an hour west of Tallahassee. Marianna is also in Central Time, while Tallahassee is in Eastern. We need to remember that when we hit the road tomorrow! LOL!

Uncle Clayton’s kids were the cousins that Sandy saw most frequently while she was growing up. As a result, they were closer than the other cousins. And because of this, there was non-stop talking around Douglas’ kitchen table as they reminisced and got caught up with each of their families and with Sandy filling them in on the other cousins that she was fortunate to visit on this trip.

Douglas is the IT guru for a local hospital in Tallahassee and Donald works as a manager for the regional power company in Marianna. We didn’t visit Donald’s home, but Douglas has a beautiful place, a relatively new home on the out-skirts of Tallahassee. His front lawn has an enormous (and protected) live oak tree. This tree is close to 150 years old – it is very beautiful, but is beginning to loose branches which has been problem for the city because it is in the “parking”. He also has so many squirrels in the back yard that he gave up feeding the birds. At one point Joe counted 6 squirrels frolicking in the yard. There was constant motion back there!

Doug loves to play pool, and we felt quite honored that he gave up his Friday night pool playing to cook us an enchilada supper, accompanied by Sangria (yummmmmie meal!) and spending the evening visiting with us. Before Donald left we went into the back yard to take photos, and before long the playfulness of their youth returned as they made funny faces and rabbit ears.. We took many pictures before we got a non-silly picture. We’ll spare you those, but Sandy’s keeping them for blackmail purposes.