The Mexican Mafia?

 From Martin's Cove I headed to my cousin Vonda's home in Missouri. First, I hit a dust storm. I finally arrived at Vonda's and we had a good visit until around 4 pm when the phone rang. From there, it was a stressful and bizarre night as we got a call that her niece was being held by people calling themselves "the Mexican Mafia" and asking for $10,000 for her release. We called the police, who called the FBI and we spent until 2 am with the FBI in a hotel room while they sorted things out. In the end, she was returned home but it took some time. I was exhausted from lack of sleep. I spent the next night at my cousin Doug's home, then after visiting my Aunt in a nursing home, I made a beeline to my son Rob's house in Georgia. 

Rob looked great and we had a very good visit. 

Howeveer, there was a hurricane brewing that threatened my return trip directly through the Blueridge Parkway and areas I wanted to visit. I ended up changing my plans again, and making a beeline for home. 

It's a good thing I did because the campground I'd reserved in North Carolina was completely swept away by the mudslides. And once again, listening to my gut saved my butt!

Soooo.... I didn't get to see Dolly Parton's show, or Palmyra (again) and instead, cancelled all my reservations in that direction, and started home on the southern route... SOMEday I'll make it to Palmyra, I hope!