A New Word in Weather

Because the south has so much humidity there is a way to evaluate the temperature and humidity. It is called heat index. Never know what you are going to learn next. Might explain why I get so tired when it is really hot out. Also explains why there are so many thunder storms and tornados.

Right now the temperature is 81 degrees and the humidity is 74%. This calculates at 85 degrees heat index. Below is some information from wikipedia about the effects of the different levels of the heat index.


80–90 °F -- Caution — fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure and activity. Continuing activitiy could result in heat cramps
90–105 °F Extreme caution — heat cramps, and heat exhaustion are possible. Continuing activity could result in heat stroke
105–130 °F Danger — heat cramps, and heat exhaustion are likely; heat stroke is probable with continued activity
over 130 °F Extreme danger — heat stroke is imminent

A Little More About Puerto Rico

We arrived in San Juan in the evening and got totally lost trying to find Fort Buchanan. If it were not for the English speaking clerk at the El Caney Lodge at Fort Buchanan who guided is in, we might still be wandering around Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico is lush, colorful and has tropical weather (a "nice" word for REALLY hot and REALLY humid). The ocean water here is a lovely shade of green.

Even their houses are colorful.






The traffic signs are the same as on the mainland United States EXCEPT they are in Puerto Rican. We figured out most of them. Hope we did not break any traffic laws in the process.

Speaking of traffic. If you think California drivers are crazy, try Puerto Rico. You will be exiting a freeway and have another road come into the exit. You would think there would be two lanes. Oh NO! Try four and not in any straight line. The drivers never seem to get mad but they will beep if you are not fast enough and if you let someone else in. And believe it or not, Lance learned to drive in this traffic. He became just as aggressive (assertive????) as the Puerto Ricans.

Flora and Fauna of North Carolina

We noticed in Tennesseee and now in North Carolina that the "ivy" (we assume that is what it is!) will climb up anything. There are areas where the ground and bushes and trees and even light poles are covered with it.

They have a lot of trees that flower here too. Quite pretty.

Thought at first these were lilacs, however, they have bigger and bushier flowers. Plus, the stay blooming for months. Saw these in Tennessee too.

In this area of North Carolina (we are southwest of Fayetteville NC) the long leaf pine trees are abundant. Also, the names using pine are abundant -- Pine Hurst, Southern Pines, Pine . They actually farm pine trees for their needles which are called pine straw here for mulch as well as for beautiful baskets.

Here are some of the flowers. Not so different than Washington's.

It was BEAUTIFUL Puerto Rican Wedding

A sunny afternoon, a cool breeze, a beautiful bride and happy, happy groom. A lovely dinner and a wonderful cake. It was perfect!

Yes, We Had to Go to Graceland - Home of Elvis Presley

Every time we said our next destination was Memphis, Tennessee, we were asked if we were going to Graceland. Of course, we said yes. One of my good friends, Donaray, was the President of the Elvis Fan Club in my home town, Enumclaw.

The Living Room

The Formal Dining Room

The Kitchen that was manned 24 hours a day
That was because there were people there 24 hours a day.
The Jungle Room

The Pool Room

The Television Room

This is part of the Trophy Room (actually a fairly large building)
When we came to this room we were astounded by all the gold and plantium records there!
The Racquetball Room (Building)

Which now houses even more awards!!! And, costumes.
At the Automobile Museum you can see Priscilla's 1970 Sport Mercedes
As well as the Pink Cadillac Elvis gave to his mother and fondly called Gladys' Car.


In another museum - "Sincerely Elvis" you can see mementos from his movies.





Also you can see Elvis's two jets in the Lisa Marie's Jet Tour
For the first time ever I ran out of space on
my 1 gigabyte photo memory card
so I could not get the second, smaller jet.

At the Graceland Mansion you will find Elvis' grave