There have been no blog entries for quite awhile!
And I am not sure that I can explain it!!
While we were in Austin we had a wonderful time visiting with our daughter and re-visiting some interesting places. Perhaps because Austin is not "new" to us, we did not feel a need to blog. Except for the great helicopter ride, we did not do a lot of touristy things! We were able to visit sun City in Georgetown. While we found a house that would be fun to live in, we are not convinced that the area would be home to us! We visited Salt Lick, our favorite BBQ restaurant and we tried a new one in Lockhart, the BBQ capitol of Texas. I disagree - Salt Lick is much better. But, BBQ is a personal thing! We also spent some time at the LBJ Library. It is such a fascinating place. I remember, oh so well, when LBJ took the oath of office. His library is an interesting place. This time, there was a special exhibit about Walter Cronkite. It was a great exhibit. I did not realize that Cronkite was a University of Texas graduate and he has left all of his papers - and there is an enormous amount - he was a very conscientious note taker - to the University. So, I believe that in the future there will be a library/museum dedicated to his achievements.
After we left Austin, we traveled to Mansfield, TX. A nice, small, Texas town. They were having a music/street festival. The Main Street was closed to traffic for entire block and there were 2 stages set up for music. We were able to hear some great music on Friday night and Saturday. The highlight of the weekend was to be able to see a friend from home who was playing in a Texas band at this festival. Greg has been a friend for quite a few years now. We often see him playing at local restaurants and festivals. Great Blues sax player. Another local musician was also playing a horn in the same band. Great fun to see old friends. Greg was quite surprised to see us!! It was interesting to find that the audience has the same enthusiasm, respect and "love" for this Austin Band - with it's New England additions - as the local crowds have when our local blues bands play at home. We felt right at home. but, not a place we would probably ever call home!
After Texas, we found ourselves in Broken Bow, OK. We needed to add OK to our RV Map of state visited!! Not sure that is a good reason to visit any one place. But, it worked for us!! We found a great state park - quiet, well-treed and just a great place to relax. We were there for 2 nights. We took a few walks around, never used the car and managed to each read a book! Great relaxation.
From Oklahoma, we visited Memphis TN. A fun city. We stayed in West Memphis AR - on the west bank of the Mississippi, just across the river from Memphis. We have stayed at this park before and enjoyed it. This time was no different. We spend some time during the day just watching the barges go up and down the river. It is always fascinating. Evenings we visited Beale Street for some BBQ and some music. We were reward with great samples of both!
After Memphis, we visited Lynchburg, TN. If you have never been to Lynchburg, you should consider it!! It is the home of the Jack Daniels Distillery. It is such a quaint, little town. We loved it. It is a town that grew around its one industry - the distillery. They have, over time, grown that one industry into two - the distillery and tourism. The weekend that we were there, was the weekend of the Jack Daniel's Invitational BBQ Championship. The winner gets bragging rights for the next year! This small town welcomed over 40,000 people. The participants in the BBQ were from across the country and the world. It was just fascinating to watch the judging process. I am not sure that I understand it all. But, I do know that it is an honor to be invited and it is quite prestigious to win. Last year's overall winner - the champion - was from my home state. They were from Hopkinton, MA. Who would have thought that BBQ was so good in New England!! This years winner was from Illinois and the Reserve Champion - 2nd place - was from Pennsylvania. Not at all what I would have expected!! But, then I am not a BBQ expert! I just enjoy eating it!
While we were in Lynchburg, we ate a meal at Miss Mary Bobo's Restaurant. Very, very nice. The restaurant has 9 dining rooms - each with a single table, of various sizes. Meals are served at one time only. Ours was at 3PM. Each table has a hostess that serves the food and relates the history of the restaurant, the town and the distillery. The food is very good southern food that is served family style. It was very, very interesting.
Our reason for going to Lynchburg was to visit both new and newer friends. While we traveled the Grand Circle we met a couple from TN and while in ABQ we met friends of friends that live in TN. They were both members of the same Winnebago group, the Rocky Top Travelers. So, we decided to join them for the BBQ Championship weekend. We are so glad that we did. We made some new friends and had fun visiting with this old-new friends. What a great time!
