The Solo Road Trip...

As I wrote in a previous post, this past Saturday, I threw caution to the wind, told the family that they are on their own for the day and I took off. The main destination was Wedowee, AL to browse a couple of Antique shops, looking for a few photo props and ideas for Katie & Micah's backyard. However, I knew that wasn't going to be my only stop. That was just the first stop. I love road trips, but only on the back roads, so the "other woman" -- Jill as we call her --(aka the GPS) and I hit the road. This was our first stop, in Wedowee, A Brand New Look. I loved this shop, although it is not an antique store, it did have some antiques, but mostly quaint items that you wouldn't see in just any shop. A little pricey, but then again everything is these days, still fun to browse and dream. My single find here was a picture frame (no doubt) with softball as the theme. I've never found a softball one that I like, they're always baseball. And since Alison doesn't play baseball, I don't have a need for a baseball frame. Next, just across the street I found this shop... Parker House Antiques and Collectibles. It was another ok, but pricey shop. I did find one treasure in here. It is a bracelet with Psalm 46:10 engraved on it...."be still and know that I am God". I really need that reminder to "be still". Ok, that was it for the Wedowee stop. When I went to Auburn, I drove through this greasy spot in the road every time I came home, and I never thought I would drive there for a reason. It's amazing what interests we develop as we get more mature. It really is a cute little town. From here I told the "other woman" I wanted to continue on to Lanette and then I would decide where from there. I chose Lanette because in the first shop, there was this cute little elderly couple browsing along side me, oohing and awing the entire time. The lady said "I could stay in here all day, I want one of everything". The man a while later chimmed in and told me where there was a huge antique mall in Lanette. Then his wife added, "oh, you could spend 5 1/2 or 6 hours in there". Well, that's my kind of place, so off I go, "Jill" is going to get me there....well, this is where she took me.....
She is not so smart after all. So, I find my way back out to hwy. 431, with Jill "recalculating" the whole way. Once I'm back on the main highway, Jill decides that's the correct way to Lanette and instructs me to continue on Highway 431. Well, isn't she helpful. A while down the road after a couple of turns, I arrive in Lanette. I stopped at a couple of thrift stores and "antique" stores along the way, with no success. Until, I finally find this wonderful Antique mall.... Timeless Antique Mall....

This is the one the sweet lady said "you could spend 5 1/2 or 6 hours in. She was right, but I moved at a little faster pace. I was really on the hunt for a couple of specific photo props, of which I found two at this location. One was a bentwood chair, that I wouldn't have to do much if anything to....found it!! I also wanted some kind of cake plate on a pedestal for the 1st Birthday sittings...something to get it off the floor....found it!! The sticker actually said "fruit stand", but it's just the right size in diameter for the mini birthday cakes that I use. Tada.... I also found this accent/night light for our bathroom, which I wasn't on the hunt for, but what would a road trip be if you didn't expect to find things you weren't even looking for?
That is about it for purchases at this stop. Now, I did find some "timeless treasures" that I couldn't resist snatching a photo of, just to put on my blog. I do want to put a disclaimer here, these pictures were taken with my cheap point and shoot, which I loath using, but it is compact and comes in handy at times. I'm sure everyone remembers one of these "timeless treasures".....
Now I'm not sure if anyone remembers the next two, but I found them very interesting. Who didn't need a purple hair rinsing sink at one time or another??
Ok, this next one may look like an ordinary "old" blow dryer. I thought big deal.....until I picked it up....I promise you it weighed at least 8 lbs. Can you imagine having to blow dry your hair waving around 8 lbs., in my case a good 10-15 minutes? Then again, people back in the day, worked sunup to sundown in the fields, I'm sure they where in a lot better shape than, well, I am.
I saw a lot more things from the past, but I'll continue on to my next destination. After I left Timeless Antique Mall, about 2 1/2 hours later, I figured I might need to head back home. But, I thought I'll just see what Jill tells me and she said it would only take about 1 1/2 hours to get home from there. I saw a sign for I-85 right out of the parking lot and thought, I'll just get on and see where it leads. About the time I got on, Bobby called just to check on me. He asked where I was and since I wasn't exactly sure, I just said I-85. He said, "you're in Georgia?" Well, not that that would have been all that bad, but I was confused and said, "well, now that you mention it, I could be." After collecting myself, I realized I had just passed a sign that said Lee County. Now, I knew I wasn't in Georgia! I let him know where I was, although I wasn't sure where I was going. I told him not to worry, that Jill was with me and I was sure I could find my way home when I was ready. After we hung up, I saw a billboard advertising a huge Antique mall in Opelika, just 2 exits away, so THAT became my next destination. When I drove up to it, I knew this would have to be my last stop, because it was as big if not bigger than the one I just left. It even had a sign--"Welcome to Angel's Antique and Flea Mall....You'll love shopping with Angels". Now isn't that special.

They also had a welcome "wagon"...SEE...............

Well, this was another Antique/Junk paradise, but sadly there were no purchases here. Just a couple of pictures of some more treasures. If you know me at all, you know that I have had my share of visits to the "dreaded DENTAL chair" (although I LOVE my dentist!!!!). Well, what else do I come across, but an OLD dental chair. I was mesmerized, to say the least and if it weren't for the $999.00 price tag, it might have been a cool thing to have.

And one more thing, did they really have to post this sign? I mean look at the nasty pillow, WHY would anyone think about sitting there?? I promise I'm going home, but wait!! As I'm going to my car, what do I see next door, but a THRIFT STORE!!!!! Well, I must...ok it was JUNK, but there are sometimes treasures among the junk.....Sometimes. But this time this is all I found.....(didn't buy, just photographed). Of course I was thinking of Bethany (our niece) when I spotted this pair of beauties....

Now I thought of the Wright family when I eyed this treasure. It is just screaming "HOOK 'EM HORNS", don't you think??
Well, it WAS time to hit the road back to Oxford, so home is where I headed. This was the best day I had had in a long time and I enjoyed every minute of it. I hope that you have enjoyed my version of the day. I think I feel another "road trip" coming on in another week or so. I could get used to this. One more disclaimer, as I'm sure you can tell, I'm still getting used to this "blog" thing and I cannot figure out how to move pictures around where I want them. So, please excuse the disorganization, it is DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!!

I guess that's it for now....LIFE IS GOOD AND GOD IS GREAT!!! Happy Trails.....