A fabulous vacation - Part II

Another picture of yours truly, from Ruby Falls....

 

 Mandy at Ruby Falls...a selfie.  Sorry about the lousy quality...it was almost totally dark in there.

In my prior post, I mentioned that I probably shouldn't wear white capris around the dogs...you probably can figure out why...

My new friends...

when you see the picture of two very affectionate adult Great Danes.  They're loud barkers, and could be very intimidating if you're a burglar who doesn't know them.  I made friends with both,  starting that first night, but the male dog (the black one) took an instant liking to me.  He stayed around me a lot of the time, standing and/or sitting at my feet.   (Since he prefers the lady of the house, maybe he thinks I'm a girl too?)

At one point he even sort of crawled up on my lap - as much as is possible for a big dog like that.   The family laughed and said that it proved I was his friend for life...he only does that with people he trusts as friends.  You haven't lived until you've experienced having a hundred-pound-plus Great Dane sitting on your lap!

When we got back to the motel, however, I discovered the down side of being his friend...my tan shorts were now covered with dog hair - he sheds!  So, both of them better stay away from me when I have my white capris and pantyhose on! (And keeping them away will be a challenge!)

The closest thing to a comment about my appearance the whole trip came from our host's older brother, who plays musical instruments.  In the course of discussing his musical background, he inquired as to what instruments I play.  I truthfully told him that as a kid, I played clarinet.  As an adult, a friend got me involved with a band, and they started teaching me the tuba.  But work interfered and I dropped out of the group.   He had thought I was a rock band member, from my long hair and sandals.  But that was the only comment - and I get similar questions all the time.

Our final day, at dinner out, I was publicly Miss-identified in front of everyone, by the elderly waitress...and nobody batted an eyelash.  Neither my attire, nor the feminine identification, had caused any noticeable reaction.  But during our visit, we discovered a possible reason why not.   One of our future daughter-in-law's (D-I-L's) long-time girlfriends (for 26 years ) is getting married soon. She'll be marrying her life partner, in a state where it is legal.  D-I-L will be one of her bridesmaids.  And this female friend is also going to be one of D-I-L's bridesmaids.  She's a lovely girl. We had lunch and dinner with her, and both of us like her a lot.  The family is comfortable around her.  That may be the reason my capris and ballerinas didn't "stampede the horses."

Of course, they might assume I'm gay.  But, I truly don't believe that's their thought process...my impression is that they are just very tolerant of others' lifestyles, having been exposed to their daughter's girlfriend for the past quarter century.   And this could turn out to be a big plus...only time will tell.  (Though I'm still not likely to show up with silvery fingernails!   Toe nails maybe - fingernails, not so much.)

All too soon, our happy visit drew to a close, and we headed back to the motel for the final time.  Everyone we had talked to about I-75 told us that we should be off the road by 2 PM - that's when the traffic incidents become more frequent.  So we detoured in the direction of the Southeastern Railway Museum, in a little town called Duluth, GA.  That way we would be on "roads less-traveled" for the rest of the return trip to Hotlanta.

Because we were hungry, we asked our GPS to show us nearby places for food.  We're not into oriental or other ethnic meals, thus we settled for "Murrays in a Hurry."   It's a little dive in a strip mall near town, and they had quite a following of regular lunch customers, known by name.  Murray wasn't in much of a hurry that day....our salads took a long while to prepare, but in fairness there were lots of folks in front of us.

When they finally arrived, they were fresh and delicious...a real treat.  Neither of us could finish, they were sooooo huge!  And other meals we saw had huge portions, too.  All in all, it's a great place to eat if you're ever in Duluth, GA.  Just don't be in a hurry!

The museum has lots of old rail equipment, including some non-rail, like MARTA buses and Checker cabs.  Remember the old Ford Falcons?   One of them became a Checker cab...

Ex-Amtrak 2092, 24 duplex roomette sleeping car

Inside an old solarium lounge car...

There were enough rail passenger cars to keep both of us entertained for a long time, but eventually we had to make our way back to Hotlanta to turn in the rental car and get to the station.  Our creative rural route took us around the worst of the afternoon traffic, and we were able to stop at the station and temporarily stow our baggage before we returned the car in Buckhead.   They shuttled us to the midtown hotel district, and let us off to window shop, then walk back to the station.  

It was fun, but dark clouds were brewing, and we found that the train was delayed.   So we grabbed a sub sandwich to eat back at the station.  By walking fast, we beat the rain and got to "enjoy" a long wait in the station.  (Those benches are hard on the back.)  We picked up our bags at the counter again as we waited.  Not fun.   But when the train finally arrived, I was once again Miss-identified, as the attendant helped me lift my bags on board.  

As our trip drew to a close in Washington, DC, the commuter train crew bent over backwards to help two "ladies" with their heavy bags - me and my wife.  When they asked me if I would like some help, I said "Oh my gosh yes...thank you so much, kind sir!" He beamed.  A fine way to end a fabulous trip.   And given the bags we were toting, my wife was happy we were both assisted - even if I ended up being "queen for a day."

Now we just wait for the next chance to go again!  (And it will happen...)