Jim Stahr has a Different Year

Yesterday was a driving day, Nashville to Oklahoma City. Smokies to the Ozarks. We stopped to do some shopping and ran into a couple that was circumnavigating the country much as our selves. While replacing a lost lens cap I related to the wistful Best Buy clerk that my first job was selling stereos and cameras. Then the road. Miles and miles of road. We hit a traffic jam in the valley and I opened the windows. A 90 degree gust pulled every bit of conditioned air from the car. But it was still beautiful. A well timed traffic jam woke me up and I thought of my wife. I chased a rainbow and found more beauty. I gave the shirt off my back. We arrived at our destination late, tired, and safe.

Today was supposed to be about Nashville and country music. Seemed to be more about finding the real people in a tourist town. Not that the tourist aren't real.... We ran from the hotel we stayed at last night, despite a decent breakfast spread, and found new digs. An early check-in left us free for the day to explore Country Music Town. We started with a quick walk to the nearby Dukes of Hazzard and  Willie Nelson Museum s. Cooter's place was free except fees for pix in the cars. We didn't bite, but the was a booster seat in the General Lee for little ones. Then to Willie Nelson's Museum. The eight dollar admission was enough to keep us out of the Museum portion, but the gift shop was free. I suggested my companion get a light colored ventilated hat.  On a recommendation from my singer  we walked across the street from the Fiddler's Inn where we stayed to "walk through the lobby" of the Opryland Hotel . What says country more than a Joh

Today we woke on the eleventh floor of the Knoxville Holiday Inn to this view of the 1982 World Fair Site .  I do not think I've found a new career. While not afraid of heights, I'm certain my legs would not stand up to this. I'll stick to playing guitar, taking pictures, writing blogs, and other useless nonsense. I did play the (nearly empty) amphitheater, however. It felt good to get the guitar out.  After playing a few classical selections we packed up in search of some coffee. Rock and Rhonda helped us out with two mugs of coffee and some good conversation.  I think Rock was the friendliest face in Knoxville. The staff at the hotel were friendly in the way of paid employees. Pedestrians greeted me with that NYC eye contact avoidance. Rhonda warmed to us after some conversation about our trip. Rock was genuinely open and friendly from the moment he saw us. About that southern hospitality - he was from New York! I told him we were going to Fall Rive

We woke in Staunton, VA today, a nice city with Amtrak service.  The architecture is willy-nilly, with Victorians next to Railroad Houses next to Southern Mansions.  I think my favorite thing about the city was the recycled  rail cars. Here's a yarn shop. Then we went to the Blue Ridge Parkway and met some veterans that aren't honored on Memorial Day. There's another day in November for us. Red, White, and Blue. Purple mountains and amber grains. Skyline Drive is for scenic meandering. Blue Ridge Parkway is for riding or driving. Riding would be better. We exited via Rt 56, or Tye River Turnpike, a road that undulates vertically as well as horizontally. That's where we found Gertie's. Every bit as good as it was small. It included a two aisle grocery store and is worthy of it's own post. Pork BBQ and slaw with fries has never tasted better. There are infinite shades of green and blue. And white.Cameras cannot capture them a

Words fail me today.   From State College to W. Virginia was stunning. Front Royal was pretty cool also. They put there best facade forward. Then we drove Skyline Drive .  

We made the short drive from Harrisburg to State College.  I've long gotten used to the flatter terrain of Connecticut. Yes, even in what Nutmeggers laughingly call mountains.  I still get comforted when I am surrounded by mountains. Comforted enough that I occasionally pulled aside on the narrow shoulders to get a picture. If there is a heaven on earth, it is here.    A very pleasant drive, and the State Troopers were busy when I passed them.

Pretty good travel today, despite some questionable weather. I've long maintained that it does not rain on me. It is mostly because I will wait it out, after all, why step get soaked if unnecessary? I pulled over to get the mist rising out of the mountains. Snapped a few, jump in the car and by the time I was up to speed it was raining like I was parked under a rain spout! I simply looked over at my wife and whispered "told you so". She's starting to realize that it is more about how I live than any magic power. Would I have pulled over had it been raining? Why would I? I chose the second of the green routes planned by my GPS. That's how I stumbled on one of my favorite childhood memories. Roadside America ! Anybody into miniatures, HO Trains, and every child under ten should go to this place. I'll let the website explain what it is, but the only real way is to go and see it. Here are some random pictures. Kaufmann's was a real department store.

I realize I have not taken my final Final. But at my wife's request (and heed to her schedule) we started the trip today. Easton Bay does connect directly to the Atlantic.  Here is the important stuff. Guitar, Camera, and Coffee. Plenty of room!   I pulled the guitar out to get some poser pics and strummed out Nature Preserve.   Playing Easton Beach. The audience approved. Gotta be loud to play over the waves. Had a passerby compliment me. Drove home the long way and had a great day with my wife.  The love of my life and the car she is sitting in. Even the shopping.

I've already traveled around the world once. I was very young and stupid and the memories are very occluded by past actions and time. Hopefully I'll be able to do this again once I grow up. Diego Garcia. Been there, done that. Wish I could remember it. For now I shall content myself to travel the good ole USA. From Connecticut tothe Skyline Drive to the Grand Canyon to Yosemite then Yellowstone. From Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine. I hope to blog daily on this trip, if only to help collect my thoughts. Tired days may end up being poorly written in a puddle of consciousness.  If there is a place you think I should see, shout it out, our route is flexible enough to take the occasional detour. Here's a rough map of the trip. Feel free to suggest a change by commenting here. I am taking my camera, a guitar and my father-in-law. I do hope to find a few venues to play. I know I'll find scenery and people to photograph. Perhaps you can suggest an open mic or