the Crystal Shrine Grotto

Our next stop along our cross country trip was the 

Crystal Shrine Grotto

in Memphis, TN.

This one was literally a stones through from our hotel,

so we stopped in early morning on our way out of town.

Much to my dismay, Memphis has a lot more

to offer than the glitter and glitz of Elvis.

But this was a fantastic alternative.

This amazing man made cave won me over 

when I read that it was located in a cemetery.

The amazing works, that were created in 1935

by Folk Artist Señor Dionicio Rodriguez,

boasted so much mystery and awe. 

The pictures do the religious works absolutely no justice.

This is one that you are going to have to see on your own.

Again, a huge thanks to Road Trippers for helping 

us to discover such hidden gems (pun fully intended).

To learn more on the full history of the Grotto click here.

The Crystal Shrine Grotto is located at:

5668 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38119

Let's Go Geocaching!

Our family fun days seem to have a re-occuring theme...

We are Geocaching fools!

So much so that we bit the bullet and picked up the $10 app...ha.

There was another theme that I was trying to 

press on the boy.

I wanted him to spend time looking up!

While I know it's weird that I snapped this from a 

bathroom stall, the light pouring into the sky lights at high noon 

was too incredible to pass up.

So much of caching is spent staring at a compass on a digital screen,

and scouring the brush 

that we forget that so much of the wonder is happening over head.

We discovered these magical looking

mushrooms growing on a branch overhead.

I told him they reminded me of my favorite childhood movie,

FernGully....

He looked at me like I had eight heads.

note to self: rent ferngully.

If you are ever in John D. McArthur State Park,

I highly recommend the Silkleaf Trail.

It was a great little walk along the water line.

At times the trail felt a little like a jungle.

It was so lush and tropical, with that touch of 

Everglades charm.

All that rain we've had did the park well.

While I was packing up our mid hike picnic, the hubs whipped 

us up a letter "T" stamps for the cache logs.

He's used that same method I DIYed here.

It was such a wonderful, quick, 

and easy way to step up our log game! 

Can't wait for our next exploration!

30x30

Day 16 was dedicated to friendship.

My initial plans for an over due skype date with my best friend.

I really miss her more than I am able to cope with.

Then the age old adage:

"make new friends, but keep the old.

some are silver and the other gold."

came into play.

This has always been one of my favorites.

I was blessed as a child and teen.

I had more best friends than anyone could imagine.

I changed school many times throughout my adolescence, 

which really gave me the ability to meet so many wonderful women.

And thanks to the powers of social media 

I am able to keep in such close contact with many of them.

But back to the silver lining.

While I did not get to skype with Jess,

Our wonderful friends the Tidwell's decided to throw a last minute shindig.

It was decided that it would be a fun relaxing evening 

with children scampering and parents actually getting to talk to other adults.

Trey, with his absolutely charming Tennessee way, made us ladies some delish coffee.

And the kiddos....well they all got very sandy.

I am still finding sand in between the boys toes.

The evening wound down with a bonfire and roasted marshmallows.

The boy caught his on fire, but it was Ay O.K.! 

His new friend, Maxwell, came to the rescue.

It was great to see all the kids being so independent and awesome.

I just love all their littler personalities maturing.

It was a perfect perfect evening!

Thank you again Tids' for hosting all of us! 

Our Christmas: In Pictures