The Beggining

"Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind".  ~Seneca

Date: 3/10/2012

Good Morning to all my blog followers. This morning started out great! I was up by 4:30am to begin the journey to my friend Karyn's house, then onto the airport to start this adventure.  As I drove across the Bayside Bridge, I thought of how peaceful it was to be the only one on the road, getting ready to embark on a trip filled with many unknowns.  This was the first day of many adventure filled days head.  This trip had been a goal of mine with the encouragement of Dr. C. Griggs after my long struggle with medical issues. I had read a quote the evening before that made it all come together! This was the start of a path  to be myself once again...

"Arriving at one goal
is the starting point to another." -J. Dewey  

As each one of us arrived to the airport, we introduced ourselves, and for most, we felt at home with each other in a matter of minutes. Many of us had each other in previous classes, or had mutual friends, all of which made introductions that much easier.  The entire group was read to let the journey begin!

The landing in Albuquerque was a very welcome one, as three and half hours is a long time to be sitting in any airline seat.  As we all deplaned , each of us looked out the windows to see lots of brown! The brown sand and mountains of the great state of New Mexico. A bit different than what one sees upon landing in Tampa Bay, Florida. 

We all gathered up our luggage, to be met by our amazing bus drive who would not only become our tour guide for the week, but a friend to all.  A woman that not only had some amazing driving skills, but a personal touch to make everyone feel welcome to her home state.  


Our first "official" stop on our Journey was at to the Eaves Movie Ranch. 

"Welcome to my town. May the good lord take a

 liking to ya cause I sure have." -The late J.W. Eaves

  Top Left-Troy & David at the "Official Sign" (a bit cold for shorts!)  Top Left-Jon playing Sheriff while enjoying his Jim Beam. Bottom Left-One of the many "fronts" of buildings used in the over 250 Productions being shot on Location. Eaves first large production was CBS television series "Empire". Other productions included Easy Rider, Young Guns II & Chisum!

A BIG Thank you to Dr. Griggs & the Director of Eaves for allowing us to tour the property on a VERY cold day, when he was not feeling well. The Eckerd College Group truly appreciates your gratitude and hospitality.