Austin, Texas

Well, it feels like it's been a while since I've posted on the blog.I've missed you. There was a lot of Texas and a lot of driving!


I have to say, Texas is not what I expected. I don't think I really had an expectation. I never thought alot about what it might be like. If you asked I probably would have said, dusty and big. Well, it is big but there's alot more to it than dust. East and Central Texas, which is where I spent my time, are gorgeous.
My second stop in Texas, after good ole Vidor was Austin. All I can say is "Wow". It was beautiful.

I didn't spend very much time in Austin but what I did experience was great. The people were wonderful and so was the landscape. There were hills and mountains surrounded by lakes. LBJ is from Austin so of course we had Lady Bird Lake and there was the beautiful Lake Austin. My first day I was told to go to the lake and check it out. There were hiking/biking trails up to 10 miles long surrounding the lake. The landscape and the scenery were great. It was on the edge of town so there was an easy walk to some of the popular local spots. Austin is filled with cafes,coffee shops, music clubs and great restaurants. I noticed, more than other places I've been lately,lots of spas and wellness centers,too. It is the capital of Texas and a University town, like Boston, and had that feel. There was a vibrancy to it; a distinct energy and vibration filtering through.

People young and old were out biking/hiking and jogging on the trails.I took a 6 mile hike around the lake and met a wonderful couple. I stopped on a bridge where she was looking out at the lake. I looked down and saw she was looking at all the turtles (lots of turtles on this trip).They were everywhere, sunbathing.As some of you know I love to find the meaning behind an animal that crosses my path (animal medicine). I looked up turtle and want to share some of the things I read:

One of the lessons of Turtle is to slow down. Turtle, who lives a very long time and who has been on earth longer than any other vertebrate animal, has all the time in the world.

Because turtle carries his home on his back and withdraws for protection, this can remind us that we carry within ourselves our own protection(hmm, that quiet whisper of God,inside?).

It is also a reminder of the importance of going within not just for protection but to contemplate, to decide what our next direction will be.

Because Turtle moves so slowly it has the time to appreciate all of her creations.

So like turtle, when we take the time that is always there, when we move more slowly along our own paths we can enjoy the journey.
(I always get what I need and turtle medicine was no exception).

Back to the lovely couple.
I asked her a couple of questions about the trail and we got to talking. Her husband showed up a few minutes later and I got to hear their journey to Austin. It seems alot of people are from someplace else and land in Austin.I am always amazed and delighted at how willing people are to share their story. I feel like I take a little adventure with each one. I get to hear some of what makes them who they are. They go from black and white to living color right before my eyes. This was an older couple, animated and positive in all they talked about. As a matter of fact they had even been through Anthony Robbin's "Be Your Highest Self University" or whatever it's called, though that's not how they met. They had been married 6 years. I said "so I guess this isn't a first marriage" and she said, in her matter-of-fact way, "Oh no! This is my 5th and his 3rd". I chuckled and felt so much love toward her just for the way she said it. It made everything just seem like "okay that's the way it is and who cares."

Needless to say my journey with them ended after a delightful walk and lots of stories. I left a little richer for the experience and ready to check out what was next.
And guess what? It was Kayaking!!
YUP, I rented a Kayak and took it out on old Lady Bird Lake.You know how much I miss my kayak. This one wasn't my beauty but she did the trick. I even saw a snake in the water and didn't flinch (I think I was cured of my fear after New Orleans). It was a GREAT afternoon and Early that evening I drove up to Mount Bonnell to see the city view and it was spectacular. Boaters everywhere on the lake,waiting, like me, for sunset. I spent the next afternoon at an outdoor cafe by the water just journaling and people watching. I wasn't really into the tourist scene in Austin. This time I was content to be one among.


San Antonio adventures coming up soon!

Where in the world is Vidor?

...Texas! Even some people from Texas don't know Vidor (rhymes with spider)is in Texas. I'm in Austin now, but I spent a couple of days in Vidor because it was the halfway point between New Orleans and Austin. No site seeing to be had,there. It is right outside Beaumont Texas which I did drive to. Beaumont is very nice.

I've discovered that I love the way people use ma'am and sir, here. It seems everyone addresses each other this way. It doesn't have the same feeling it does at home where I feel old when someone says it. It somehow sounds so pleasant when someone says "well, yes ma'aam we can do that" or "no ma'aam we don't have that here". No just doesn't seem as bad. I think, "Oh, okay..." and walk away enamored with the etiquette forgetting I can't have the thing I asked for.

...And the deepest point I pondered today? Is the soap labeled "facial" ,at the hotel, really different from the soap labeled "body"? Until tonite I would have said yes, but my TV isn't working and it gave me a chance to investigate this little tidbit and at least in this hotel, I find them to be identical...hmm.. what's that all about?

I am staying in 3 different parts of Texas so there will be more about Texas (Austin) coming soon...

"Nu'Awlins"

So much to say!!Where do I begin??!!! This place is EXACTLY WHAT I PICTURED AND SO MUCH MORE!!

First,the drive here was GREAT!! There isn't a direct highway from Arkansas to New Orleans, so I drove through Mississippi and spent a little time there. The scenery was amazing and when I got to Louisiana I drove through some of the bayous and neighborhoods and got a real feel for what it's like. The water sidelined with gorgeous Oaks or Cypress half covered with water and people spending a lazy day fishing.


First thing I did was go to the French Quarter where Bourbon St, Margarita ville and the famous Cafe Dumonde are located. Cafe Dumonde is an indoor/outdoor cafe where you can buy Beignet (basically fried dough) and coffee and sit outside watching the frenzy of activity.You can hear jazz and country music everywhere with artists and street performers all over.
There were 2 college graduations that day so the streets were flooded with partying people. It seems to me that graduation or not the streets would be flooded with partying people. It was hot and sunny and everyone was happy. I have to say there was a time when buying "beer to go" and having drive through Daiquiri stores would have made me happy,too. One of the locals told me that the police are at the drive through, not to make sure you don't drink and drive but to make sure the establishment is safe. Go figure. It is amazing to me how differently we live from one place to another.


I loved the Louisiana accent. It is definitely distinct from the southern accent which I've become accustomed to in varying degrees over the last month. When Steve the air boat driver (more on that in a minute) said "Shrump season stawts tahmora." I thought,Huh? Took me a minute to figure out what he said. Their words seem to all blend together in a choppy, yet flowy way. I can't even explain which letters are dropped and which stay but it sounded kind of musical to me. Some people almost sounded Australian or English, or is that because the guy selling water looked like Jude Law, hmmm...


Since New Orleans is also famous for it's food and spices, I wanted to try something local. I love seafood so I went for craw fish and char-broiled oysters. OH MY GOD!!! I loved them both. I do have to say that I like lobster better than craw fish (though the locals think lobster is too chewy). The oysters were encrusted with butter, garlic and Parmesan cheese and then charbroiled. I wanted to cry they were so good.


One of the things I've always wanted to do was to ride in one of those "air boats" (which I've seen on discovery channel in the Florida Everglades) through a bayou (which I didn't know was called a bayou until now). When I was in the French Quarter I saw lots of signs for "Swamp Boat Tours". I checked it out and thought, "Here's my chance". It was AMAZING!! Now I know why there are so many shades of green in the Crayola box. It was magnificent. I went early one morning and there were 6 of us on the boat. We went on an illusive search for wildlife, namely alligators. The area was all swampy and marshy with the cypress trees hung overhead.
It was ominous and exciting; dark and light at the same time. The possibility of alligators and snakes lurking in places unknown was so exciting. Steve our guide, grew up in the area. He was in his 60's and had a permanent tan and like all commercial sea people had crevices in his skin from the sun and sea and great stories to match. He had all the character of a down home Louisiana boy who has seen alot on these bayous. He LOVED what he did, where he was from and was genuinely interested in us. He was happy we asked alot of questions because he wanted to let us know about the area and who they were.
We saw lots of alligators and he caught a little one that I got to hold.


I couldn't get enough, so after the swamp boat I went to a National Park a few miles away because I had heard it was worth the hike. The Ranger said "be careful to stay on the boardwalk because of the alligators".Well, do you remember my fear in Arkansas of seeing a snake? Yup...first thing I saw, two feet into my walk; a snake.
I was terrified, but not too scared to get a picture....then trotted quickly back to the parking lot...I didn't want this to keep me from taking the hike though,so I leaned against my car and started praying for courage. Well, along came a small group of people and I told them my dilemma. I asked if I could walk near them. I wouldn't intrude on their party, I promised. They were great and welcomed me. As it turned out (thank you, God) one of the guys was an off duty Park Ranger, there with his girlfriend, her dad and aunt, for Mother's Day. The Ranger and his girlfriend had just moved there from Michigan 3 months before for his job. It was great because I got all the details of species of snakes,and we saw many,gators,turtles and other wildlife so it was like having another tour. It took a couple hours and we had lots of laughs and a great hike.
I also got to hear the story of how the two of them got to Louisiana and her struggles of wanting to become a teacher after leaving college to become a hairdresser. I told her I'd send a prayer her way which got us started on a great conversation about God. We got to share a spiritual moment that touched me deeply.

Back at the ranch, my hotel, I went to the pool and met another native where I had a conversation of a different kind. He was there so his son could swim in the hotel pool for the afternoon. I loved hearing more about the local area from his perspective at which time I was reminded that Peyton and Eli Manning are from Louisiana. They love the Mannings in Louisiana. Their dad, Archie is considered a legend here. After alot of debate about the Mannings, the Patriots and Tom's numbers versus Peyton's, I did concede that it was great the brothers pour lots of money into the community, but I think I put up a pretty good argument for why we should all be annoyed at Peyton's whining on the field. The guy was too drunk for a fair fight. He soon backed down or at least couldn't formulate anything coherent, so I, cheaply,proclaimed myself the victor!

Oh...I wish I could give you every detail of every day. They are all so precious to me; all the people I see, the things I feel. Each experience is being woven into the fabric of my life adding color, depth and strength to who I am. As people cross my path chances are I won't see them again so it intensifies the moment. Each one feels like finding a lost treasure. A great life reminder; whatever moment I'm in is the only one I have so live it like it's the last and it will get the attention it deserves!

Russelville/Little Rock Arkansas

Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful mother's,especially mine.

What can I say about Arkansas!?! Well, RAIN, RAIN, RAIN.. Now I won't blame Arkansas for that, of course, it just happened to be a rainy week, but ugh...we all know what it's like when it rains too many days in a row.
I was mainly there to visit an old family friend in Russelville.
I've known him all my life but haven't seen him in a while except briefly a couple years ago. So I booked a hotel near his home and planned to drive to other spots I wanted to see. When I got to my hotel he and his friends invited me over for a cocktail party. Well, you can imagine my delight in being invited to a martini party! Either way it was great to see him. When I got there he just hugged me, cried and wouldn't let me go. He said when he looked at me he saw both of my parents who he loved dearly and felt like family had come to visit. He's 84 now and it felt so good knowing my visit brought him some joy.
He took me to a local diner for breakfast the next day, real southern food. You know, biscuits and gravy;grits. It was great to experience the local life. I try to do that wherever I go because I want to know how the locals in any area live and how they experience the world.

We had planned to tour around the local area but it was too rainy so we saved that for another day.

The next day I went to Little Rock and loved it. It was about a 2 hour drive. Russelville is at the foot of the Ozark mountains (beautiful) and Little Rock was further south.First stop when I got there, Clinton Library. Many people said no matter what my political feelings might be it's worth seeing and they were right! It was fascinating.
Being an adult when he was president and familiar with all that happened, made it more exciting. There was so much depth added to what I remember from that time. It was great to see all the behind-the-scenes stuff. And those estate gifts! Presidents can't keep any gift worth over $250 and the heads of other countries give some AMAZING things. I loved it.

An added bonus was an art exhibit displayed by the artist Peter Max. If you know him, his art reminded me of Leroy Neman. Remember that artist who did all the art and posters for the Olympics in the 70's? This guy was also very colorful and his work was displayed all over. He loved Clinton so he created 100 faces of Clinton (as seen in the photo). One of the display rooms had lots of famous people and one of George W. Bush and one of Bush the dad. Both of those pictures were hung behind the exhibit door, hmmmm....


I met a volunteer there who said her husband went to law school with "Bill" and they've known him a long time. As you can imagine, everyone in Arkansas loves him. She and I got talking and she asked me why I was in Arkansas and I explained my trip. She started talking about the things she hasn't done and because she was much older now wasn't able to do. I have had a few of those conversations on this trip and every time I feel really grateful that I have the opportunity to live out one of my dreams (yes, I know I've said it before and I'll probably keep saying it).
I spent the afternoon going through the shops and Art Galleries in Little Rock. They have a beautiful River St. Market on the water with a Farmer's Market and vendors with local artists displaying/selling beautiful crafts/art/jewelry. It was a nice day.

The next day I met John and his brother for a trip into the mountains and I got to see part of his family history. It was a beautiful farm on the top of a mountain. The funny part was that it had rained so much (though this happened to be a beautiful day) that we got the car stuck in the mud and had to call AAA. So here I was with 2 men, 84 and 70 something, stuck in the mud at the top of a mountain on land that wasn't their's anymore. Silent worrying was the theme. I silently got a kick out of it. We spent a long time waiting so needless to say I got a really good feel for the property and this picture of John at his family farm.
Once we were freed we went to a lake nestled in the mountains which was beautiful.

One of the last days there,another sunny one, I finally got out and went for a hike in a wildlife preserve. It was really swampy and the trails went pretty far into the woods. Snakes are a fear of mine so I was nervous. I didn't want to let it stop me and went anyway. After a while, I got so involved in all the plant and wildlife, I forgot about it. I saw a turtle in the grass and laid down next to him to get a close up. I realized as I lay there how amazing it is that when I'm not thinking about my fears I have the opportunity to actually be present for the beautiful gifts! One of my many life lessons on this trip.


Off to New Orleans!

Nashville/Memphis, TN

What a great ride to Nashville! I was so rested after Birmingham and ready for another adventure..It was only a 2 hour drive and another pretty day!! As I saw the "Welcome to Tennessee sign", and whenever I cross a state line, I just want to stop and take a picture. I am driving 70 miles an hour so I realize it wouldn't be the best decision so I don't. Each time I picture myself as a cartoon character driving over a map and I've just crossed into another state. I get giggly every time. What really made me laugh this time was the first HUGE sign I saw after entering Tennessee; "Uncle Jim's Boobie Bungalow, next exit". .. Now why it caught my eye, I have no idea?! It was so ironic after driving through the beauty and serenity of the wildlife refuge. I loved it!

I got to my hotel, had lunch and was ready to check things out.

First thing I did was go to Broadway, "Music City USA". It is the "Honky Tonk" area of Nashville. There is a long strip of bars all with live country music. It is a really colorful busy and crazy place. I love country music so it was such a treat, overstimulating. Even the street vendors were true musicians. There was so much creativity mixed with tourism,fried food, boiled peanuts (which are HUGE in the South) and a little craziness added to the mix. People everywhere. I walked up and down the strip and just filled up. When I got to the end, I was surprised to see a HUGE football stadium and a beautiful park area all overlooking a river. I didn't realize Nashville was on a river. It had a beautifully landscaped park and walking area along the river. Rose bushes everywhere and it smelled so sweet,like a little respit from the busyness of the strip.

I really wanted to go into one of these bars and listen to music but didn't know about going in alone. So... when I passed by B.B. Kings Blues Club, I thought, "I have to go... I love blues music".. Needless to say, I built up the courage to go in in I went. I asked if I could go in if I wasn't going to eat and they said okay as long as I sat at the bar (these places were all completely jammed full). So, there I was, sitting at the bar with my soda water listening to AMAZING music... I was so happy I did it..

The next day I decided to go to Opryland. I got a backstage pass and tour to Opry House..
It was great. I saw the dressing rooms,green room and where HEE HAW was filmed. I decided to plan an extra day to stay because their live radio show was Tuesday night.
On the way back to the hotel I had remembered seeing a sign for a local marina. I thought I'd find it and spend some time. So I did. It was on a lake, beautiful. People were out on the lake enjoying the weather. They were out on their boats or sunbathing or just fishing from shore. I just laid in the grass and soaked up the rest of that day.

I had also wanted to go to "BlueBird Cafe". This is a club that hosts up and coming song writers and singers. Alot of people get discovered there and people come from all over the country to sing their originals and hope for a chance at stardom. Again, a bar that I was going alone, but I really wanted to go. Monday was "open mic night" and it was packed. There was one seat at the end of the bar and I grabbed it. It was soooo fun. There were lots of rules like the singers couldn't sing to a tape all songs had to be originals, they had 9 minutes,they could sing 2 songs and the list went on. There were 55 people signed up and they picked out of a hat. WOW! there was some amazing music. I met so many nice people. Lots of people asked if I were waiting to play and well; Mom, you know. I laughed and explained pretty clearly that they wouldn't want to hear me sing. A group of people sitting near me at a table were really nice. They had 4 people who played and they were all really good. One of the guys, whose name escapes me right now, was a grammy award winning song writer. He has a song coming out this winter called "Candy Cane Christmas". I'll be listening for it and excited that I was able to meet them. I do still get star struck sometimes, I have to say...


The next night,the live "Opryland show". This is the oldest and longest running live music radio broadcast and apparently what put country music on the map. People from all over the world were in the audience.

The talent was so good and if you know country music, Little Jimmy Dickens (who was on Hee Haw) was there along with Craig Morgan and Luke Brennan (contemporary artists). I love, love, loved it. I was so glad I stayed.


I left Wednesday for Memphis. Memphis was about a 3 1/2 hour drive. I wanted to see Graceland and I did. It was a riot!! Did you know that Graceland is the second most toured house in the country second only to the White house? I was shocked. The funny thing to me was Elvis redecorated a couple of years before he died. It was all 70's decor and I felt like I walked into some one's home from my neighborhood,growing up. Shag rugs everywhere, the bold colors and the newly done kitchen with a rug on the floor and dark, ornate cabinets. It seemed so corny but, for the time, really up-to-date.


What was really amazing were the grounds and the award rooms. There were awards all over the place. I couldn't believe how many gold/platinum records he had and grammy's he's won. There were displays for his movies and best of all were lots of his outfits from movies and concerts encased in glass. In his racquetball room there were alot of pieces dedicated to his 70's performances. Remember that Hawaii concert he did in the 70's?

I remember watching it. It was another come back for him and a big hit. They had it playing in this room and the outfits he wore were right there. They were spectacular.

Needless to say, it was worth it. I also drove through the center of Memphis which was pretty. As, again, luck would have it, I ran into yet another festival. I seem to be following them from state to state. It is the famous rib/barbecue and music festival. Lots of streets shutdown and partying going on. Everyone says it is famous in the South and the country, in fact. I don't recall hearing about it in the North East, but I am sure it is Huge in the "Rib" community. So I drove through to see it, but didn't get out and walk around.

Overall, I really loved TN. I have to say I really like the south.What I don't like is the driving...Yikes, they say Massachusetts drivers are bad, eek! And the Roadkill(yes, I did notice) is different. There is a dead Armadillo every 100 feet.
Other than that? Loved it! The conversation is long and the people are polite. The pace is slower; almost unnerving. I just think it is so funny to have a conversation with the cashier without the people behind getting mad, mostly because they get involved,too. I kept looking over my shoulder to see if I was getting in trouble because the guy who serviced my car was giving me a long story about his long night at work and his wife whose been a teacher for 40 years,etc. Waiting to have my car serviced, I sat in a room full of strangers. It was like we all knew each other. The little old man sat in the corner reading his well worn Bible and everyone else chatting it up like we were in a friend's livingroom. I loved listening to this older woman talk about how much she loves to fish and that she couldn't wait to go out and catch some catfish, "mmm,mmm...nothing taste better than fresh cat fish, no sir". I just loved it. I couldn't have scripted it better myself. I felt like I was watching a movie in the deep south. Maybe I was...

Today I leave for Arkansas. We have an old family friend there. He lives in Russellville, which is at the foot of the Ozark Mountains. I'll be staying in a hotel nearby. It is about 75 miles from Little Rock which I'll see too, but I thought it would be nice to stay in a place where there was alot of natural beauty.

More to come...!!