The Katy Trail

OK you guys, you have to do this. This rail trail is so cool. Just hop in where ever you want and bike as long as you want. It goes for 225 miles or so, with lots of history on the way. Missouri is the place to be. Lewis and Clark, Daniel Boone; you name it, theyve been there.

Clouds

Radical cloud formation in Kentucky

music

I was commenting to Stan the other day that music, cycling and food seem to be the driving forces of our trip around the States. That being the case, in Nashville we decided to go to the Grand Ole Opry. It was a little like going to Disneyland, but all music oriented. They have two shows every Saturday night, with about 20 different bands or solo artists playing. Each group plays two songs, with a member of the Opry as an announcer in between. The auditorium is huge and set up really well for everybody and of course the accoustics were great. We heard all kinds of Country music, from Cajun to Mountain to Blues and Gospel. The headliner that night was the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. What a trip!!

Way too much to talk about

Ten days in Asheville, North Carolina and I wish we had ten more.... Every time we did something we found another thing to do. We'd be driving up the Blue Ridge Parkway on our way to a trail head and looking over the side of a bridge, there would be a bike trail, calling us to come ride. We'd be at a Mountain Music fundraiser and out onto the stage would come a clogging troup and now all of a sudden I have to learn how to clog. I haven't even got the steps down for Cajun two step yet! Not to mention know how to play a mandolin, dulcimer or fiddle. I do know how to listen though and the music was so beautiful and full of life. Then there were the trees. Every day something new was blooming. At this time of year the trees are starting to leaf out and giving us a pastel preview of what they will be in the fall. Pink, salmon, green, gold and burgandy. So now we have to see them in the fall. It's just that way around here.

Pigapolooza!

While in Newport Stan and I had the great good luck of attending the 30th annual pig bbq cook off. This was a TRUE bbq, with overnight slowcooking by 50 contestants. Naturally, Elvis was there to entertain the crowds. The judges did a fantastic job, viewing, tearing apart and tasting each entry. All bbq was then removed to a covered area and served to the public for gorging. Needless to say, we had to retire to the couch for recovery after that.

Stan's Pick

We just spent a week on the Crystal Coast, North Carolina. Spring is rampant there, with the Dogwoods, Azaleas and Wisteria all in full bloom. This area is the Southern end of the Carolina Outer Banks, where everyone has a dock and a boat and spends 50 percent of the time on the water. We went over to Oriental for the day, taking the free ferry across the Nuese River and driving over countless bridges. The Nuese dumps out into the Pamlico Sound. The season is just starting up, with lots of people traveling up or down the inland water ways. I had to restrain Stan from leaving the hiker behind and getting on a boat and taking off for Florida. This is his dream spot. I must say, he has good taste. Lots of history in the area, with Black Beard calling the waters his home. Unfortunately it rained for most of the time we were there so didn't get to do as much as we wanted to, but hey! Life should be so tough for everyone.

Charleston

Check out this Wisteria......