Date: 2014-03-11
To: The Three-State Challenge!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We got into Atlanta a bit early, around 9:10am. There was a tram to Baggage Claim, but nooooo... "Mom, let's walk to Baggage Claim!" Now if there's a tram, it MUST be a ways out there. But walk we did, until the last little bit. Looked like construction. Along the way, however, we got to see some cool art-sculptures. Well worth it.Got our bags and decided to pull my pack out of the Air Force bag. It would be easier to carry. The MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) was right near Baggage Claim. We figured out the Breeze Card to load two trips on it for going and coming back. We got up to the platform and the train was there. Great timing! We're off to Garnet Station, near the Greyhound terminal.I thought the Greyhound was a couple blocks away so I asked the train person. He pointed to the building next door! WOW! So now we have a 2-hour wait at the Atlanta Greyhound Bus Terminal. Michael read a little from The Anne Lamott book (thanks, Andy & Grete) and took a short nap. I transcribed all the pertinant information from our two large notebooks into my little pocket notebook. Called Marty at work to check in and found out that my Uncle Steve had passed away that morning, up in New York. He's the father of my cousin who's to meet us in Chattanooga. I called Linda and left a message. She wasn't sure what she was going to do and didn't yet know the arrangements, but YES, she was still on track to have us stay with them for the night. They were also having a neighbor friend for the night as well.We got to the Chattanooga bus terminal and Linda was there waiting. I recongized her immediately! It was so good to see her. I've only seen her maybe 2-3 times in the last 30 years!Back at her house in New Market, Alabama, we sat in the wamrth on her front porch while Michael played with their dog Baylee. I could stay THERE for the next 6 months! It was time to feed her horse Cardigan, whom she's had for 32 YEARS (he's 34)! Her neighbor came home from school while we were out in the pasture (and Linda was picking up horse piles!).Brent came home and we all talked for a good time. About now, I'm running on adrenalin since I hadn't slept for over 24 hours. Michael's been catching cat naps here and there but I just close my eyes for a "rest". I can still hear what's going on around me.When Linda and I connected for this visit, I told her that we were vegan but vegetarian would be OK. Well, she got veggies and tofu and let Michael and me have run of her kitchen! It was great fun looking through her cupboards and fridge to see what spices and flavorings she had. Michael decided to cut up and fry the tofu, keeping it separate if others didn't want any. He also separated the vegetable stir fry after most of the seasonings, but in one batch he put a scoop of peanut butter for a pad thai flavor! It all smelled, looked and tasted great and got rave reviews! Thanks, Brent for trying the tofu. We KNOW it's not on your list of favorites!Linda cleaned up after dinner and I sorted through my stuff to "send home", like the clothes I traveled in and the Army and Air Force duffel bags. I also tried to "pare down" for the backpack - so hard, but what DON'T I want to carry!We sat in the living room watching TV and chatting for a while but finally called it quits! (Mary, I don't think I'll need the melatonin tonight!) Great, great day!Marilyn, Mother of...