Today is a Good Day to Drive! Van-Go

Harley's

2012-02-12T20:35:00.000-05:00

We love Sunday's at Harley's

Show Number 20

2012-02-11T11:22:00.001-05:00

We tried spring rolls that Kendra made; fresh taste of parsley and spinach with ham and onions; really good

Kendra was playing in the mud; I remember playing in the mud as a kid and making mud pies with my sisters.

Unloading the trailer and setting up

Then play time; the boys got a new Risk game; let the best boy win.

Sean is getting better at his pool game

Apryll had to turn people away; Valley View Show was standing room only

It was an awesome show

Sales went well

Go Platinum; join if you haven't all ready!!

Back to the show

The show ends on high energy

Still smiling after the show!

My sisters are the best!

2012-02-10T12:24:00.000-05:00

Sisters are the best friends that a girl can have!!

Harley's at Papa Joes in Harlingen

2012-02-09T23:29:00.002-05:00

We had gone to the movies; watched Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. Then we went to Papa Joes with Mary, Bob, Connie and Charlie. We stayed after they went home. Later, Sylvia and John came along with friends and the band, of course. John Harley and the Bayview Bushriders were playing!! Great band. We like them best on their home stage- Come on out to Harley's on Sunday; the weather is suppose to be much warmer.

Red Shoes

2012-02-09T15:09:00.001-05:00

"Red shoes call me from the corner, ruby whispers, shiny silver giggles" ......Eleri Glass

Kathy remembers when she was young; she got a pair of red shoes, Mary Janes. She got them after a long bus ride to Butler. She wanted to wear them home, but her Mom said she had to keep them like new for school... She was a little older when she wanted a pair of ruby slippers so she could click her heels and always get back home.....She was dressing up to attend a big function in DC and put on her new pair of red heels;oh, she was someone to be reckoned with.....

"Somehow, being in the presence of red shoes make me incredibly happy.

It’s maddening, I know.

I could weep poetries about their beauty.

Their allure.

Their passion.

Their mystery.

It’s like the sky opened up and an unknown deity of limitless power reached down and pulled me up by the wrists, lifting me up in the air, rising through the atmosphere, higher and higher, the wind skins past my flesh with merciless force and yet leaving behind not a sliver of wound. Rays of the sun beam through me, envelop me with its millions of tiny fingers, and gently brush every molecule of my being alive with warm, miniscule yet definite vibration…I hum with notes of joy.

Yes…I could weep (but I won’t).

In a way, I secretly love the confusion of desires that swirls within me. The inexplicable draw fills me with curiosity, and wonder, and I happily leave it room to ferment.

There is something about them, the red shoes.

Yes, there is." .........Grace Wang

So weather you are a little girl, a school girl, a career girl, a mom, or just heading out on the town or going to work in the garden, put on your red shoes!

ShAnnie

2012-02-07T11:58:00.002-05:00

If you have not hear of ShAnnie you are missing something beautiful; here is their latest newsletter; they call it ShAnnie Shindigs. We ditto their Valentines' wish to all of you. go to their website and give them a listen.....

It was finally about to happen, the first kiss. The one she had been dreaming of, the same one that also frightened her. What if it’s not all she hoped it would be? What if the butterflies don’t flutter? What if the flame doesn’t spark? This man that she felt everything for was moving toward her and she could feel her eyes naturally closing, like he was summoning them that way, as if they were no longer hers. As far as she knew he was commanding her every move. She thought to herself, this just couldn’t be possible. She knew she was feeling love and yet, Love is not control. Love is pure. Love is feeling. Love is romance. Love is not needing, love is… well, she thought again, you could lose a little control in love! Oh, this couldn’t be happening to her, and yet she felt this incredible force beneath her, lifting her effortlessly, and there they were; those infamous little butterflies. There must have been a million of them swarming, twirling and spinning, and just as he laid his hand upon her flushed cheek…
She said aloud, “shoo, go away!”
He paused from what was sure to be the most amazing kiss ever, in the history of kisses and with concern asked, “What did you say?”
She sat motionless, praying that she had not just ushered imaginary butterflies away.
She slowly opened one eye and quickly closed it, realizing he was staring at her, and wishing she could reverse the clock just two minutes. She felt time slipping by and figured the moment for The Kiss was quickly passing, but just as she began to open both eyes and explain herself, his lips pressed against hers. All at once the butterflies flew again; and the sparks were igniting a flame that caused sirens to scream from all the surrounding fire stations as firefighters prepared for departure, just in case… Or so she says. Yes, it was a kiss to be remembered.
How can lips be so strong and yet so gentle?
How can an embrace leave you feeling so captivated and still so free?
How is it that the butterflies still flutter, after all these years?
Here’s to all of you and may you kiss the night away!
Happy Valentines Day!

ShAnnie Shindigs!
Saturday Night, February 11^th 7PM…
Hangar Hotel, Fredericksburg, TX
155 Airport Blvd
Shan is on the baby grand. Consider it the “prelude to a kiss”, the prequel to Valentines Day… Besides, it’s the perfect way to spend a Saturday night.
Mixtures by Mary and melodies by Shan makes for a delicious evening!

Valentines Day 7PM
Hangar Hotel Special Event!!!
It’s going to be a lovely night at the Officer’s Club. Whether you’re planning on spending Valentines with a date, or enjoying it with friends, spend it with us at the Hangar Hotel. We invite you for some romantic torch song classics as well as some songs that perhaps you may have forgotten along the way, and we’ll even unveil a new song, written especially for you lovers.
The Hangar is already looking divine, all dressed up in red, just for this special occasion. They’re planning on having chocolate covered strawberries, martinis and who knows what else! Really, you don’t want to miss this glorious event!

www.hangarhotel.com
That’s it this week!
We’ll see you this weekend and Valentines Day for sure!
Until then, be safe and as always,
Thanks for your support and for taking chances on Independent Music!
ShAnnie
http://shannieband.com
http://vimeo.com/shannieband
shannie@shannieband.com

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Night

2012-02-05T21:10:00.000-05:00

We parked in our garage last night. We could hear the tapping of raindrops on the tin roof. Kathy was tired and climbed right into bed. Will stayed up reading and gaming. Morning came and Kathy just rolled over. Will got up and did his morning stuff then came back to the bedroom, just two steps as we live in a twenty one foot class B motorhome, and tuck some blankets around Kathy. Then he drove over to Walmart and picked up goodies to munch on at Harley's. Kathy turned and cuddled under the covers. Will drove to Harley's then made Kathy some chicken soup. She ate and went back to sleep. Will went inside and enjoy John Harley and the Bayview Bushriders and the Super Bowl game. Kathy slept, drank water, slept, checked FB, and is going back to bed. Night all

Today is a Good Day to Drive!
Van-Go
Sent from my iPhone

Lunch at Astroland Park

2012-02-04T15:00:00.001-05:00

Watching the Walker Boys

2012-02-04T12:04:00.001-05:00

There is free time

Talking about the set they will do in the show

Apryll watches the practice and gives pointers

Practice

Practice or Play

Show time

Pre intermission advertizing

RedHead Express accompanies the Walker Boys

Great set of oldtime

swinging and bounsing

ZZ top's Best Dressed Man

Ammon gets a little bored...

Just a little....

Then he wipes his hands and shows them how to do that music as only a bass man can

Again the RedHead Express accompany the Walker Boys! The boys just steel the show! They are cute and talented too!

2012-02-03T12:42:00.002-05:00

See that blue bar at the top. See the word Follow on the very right hand side. Click it and become a VanGo Follower. Thanks.

Holiday Village with the RedHead Express

2012-02-03T10:31:00.000-05:00

The sound man

Setting up the stage

Play time while Mom writes out the order of the music

sound check and a little practice too

Play time in the pool

The Walker Boys

Picked a yodeler from the audience and made him a red head

featuring Sean on dobro

Walker Boys have quite and act!!

Poor Ammon is bored as his brothers steel the audience....but just watch; oh you have to come to a show to see what he does!

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy with LaRae on bugle

Love that clogging

The show is over and we are ready for clean up and pack up.

Enjoying some picking time

2012-02-02T19:21:00.000-05:00

Play time

2012-02-02T19:19:00.000-05:00

Clogging

2012-02-02T10:48:00.001-05:00

Cut them all apart and make a flip-book!

Free

2012-02-01T10:45:00.000-05:00

It is about 7ish in the morning and we hear a slam of a garage door; we are parked in a big garage you see. Then we hear the lock slide closed; we are locked in!! Kathy called, good thing the phone still worked! The owner answers and we explain that we are inside the garage. Giggles and a little later the garage door opens. The owner waves and we smile back. Free once again.

Show Faces of the RedHead Express

2012-02-01T01:10:00.001-05:00

Trails End RV Park hosted the RedHead Express show

Somebody got a new red dress

2012-02-01T00:44:00.001-05:00

Being Roadies at Palmdale RV Park

2012-01-31T00:40:00.001-05:00

The Walker Family arrive

We unload

Set up

Everyone gets beautiful

Show time!

Intermission

Show time....

Look at that face!

Standing ovation

Play time

Pack it all back up

Good Day

2012-01-31T00:36:00.001-05:00

Texas grapefruits....so sweet!

Texas longhorn saying hello

Texas pirate smiling

Sunday at Harley's

2012-01-31T00:33:00.001-05:00

Rick shares a book he had given his dad, Milt, for his 80th birthday. We all miss Milt at Harley's; he past away this past summer. Kathy and Milt always danced to the first song...and many others too. Milt was a great dancer.

Connie and Bud always dance to the first song, but Connie was late so......

Grannies gone Wild.....

John Harley and the Bayview Bush Riders, the bestTexas music group in the Valley

Okay Connie arrived..

The place is packed inside

and out

Connie got the tip bucket filled

Great friends meet up at Harley's on Sundays

Monday morning we clean up the dance hall

South Padre Island

2012-01-31T00:24:00.001-05:00

Good morning world

Breakfast

We want to do that!

RedHead Express and Link Family had a double header!

2012-01-25T13:11:00.000-05:00

There was set up

and horsing around

practice

and sale (check out the Go Platinum program!)

and show time!!

Now that is banjo picking!

Walker Boys!

RedHead Express

Shoe change for some clogging

joined by three other family bands

after the show.....

Harley's on Sunday

2012-01-25T12:30:00.001-05:00

We ended up in a corner, but with good friends the corner is pretty good

Jason on fiddle; Chet on keyboard and lead guitar; John singing

Bud's shirt says it all

Kathy danced with a new friend, Brenda from WI when she wasn't dancing with Will

Crowds inside and out

Will and his older brother, John.....

John Harley and the Bayview Bushriders-that is why we come to south Texas.

Challenger Center of the Rio Grande Valley

2012-01-25T12:03:00.001-05:00

Kathy is a founding member of Challenger Center. She joined after applying to be the Teacher In Space from Pennsylvania and watching the space shuttle Challenger explode with her class. She believes that space science helps children learn their math and science objectives in a fun way and prepares children for the future.

We found the San Benito Challenger center after we retired and came to the Valley; we volunteer there as our schedule permits. Bauldy had worked with Challenger and now is with the TV production at the school

Beto and Art do school programs as well as missions at the center.

After our pizza party everyone worked on making a model rocket. Kathy loves model rockets; she took teacher workshops and taught lessons including a summer program in Krasnoyarsk, Russia

The Walker Boys and the RedHead Express did a few songs for school officials, San Benito newspaper and the Harlingen School TV

Autographs

Then finishing touches on the rockets

Interviews

And finishing touches on the rockets

Art conducted launch time

5...4....3....2...1....

WOW, where did it go!

zoom

zoom. Tomorrow Beto and Art head over to Coakley School in Harlingen to do rockets with 150 students there! Have fun and thank you for such a wonderful day.

Palo Alto Battlefield

2012-01-25T11:29:00.000-05:00

This historic site is where one of the battles of the Mexican American war took place back in 1846. It was a war over territory. The Mexican's claimed they owned what we now call Texas and the United states said they did.

Yodel Song

2012-01-21T19:17:00.001-05:00

Here is a guy chosen to yodel with the RedHead Express at Bentsen Palm Village

Yep, he became a red head for the yodel song!!

Bentsen Palm One

2012-01-21T17:53:00.001-05:00

Carry

Set-up

Practice

A little chit and chat

Play...and then

Show time

These RedHead Express love playing and singing!

The Walker Boys love playing and singing!

Got a Texas Mission on my hand!

2012-01-21T16:52:00.000-05:00

They are irrigating down here in the Texas Valley

See I got the old mission!

Nope, just a skin

what a beautiful facade

must have had a fire

but they are saving the bricks

fire ant!

can you find them?

RedHead Express show at Alamo Rec Park

2012-01-20T10:16:00.003-05:00

We try to be good roadies and arrive a little early to make sure everything is ready for the group.

We help unload

Spend some time chatting and playing around

While everyone else is busy

Then come the sound checks

And before you know it, the show begins

We love watching the show every time!

Then comes the teardown and the repacking and off we go our separate ways for another night to catch up and do it all again tomorrow! Yippie!!!

RedHead Express 100mph

2012-01-19T12:53:00.002-05:00

That is: most performances heard!!

It all began back on October 24, 2008 when we wanted to go see Beetle’s Legend in Branson, MO and ended up with a timeshare and free tickets to a show for a new group in town, The RedHead Express. We just loved them! So, we kept in touch via emails and showed up in Texas at their 9-minute audition for activity directors of RV parks in the Valley, where we spend our winters, dressed as RedHead Express Roadies. Our bonds grew as we saw them again in Missouri, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Kansas, Illinois, Tennessee, and Florida.

This was our 100 performance!! More important than the number of performances we have seen is the friendship we have. It is one of those dear friendships that has bubbled over into the feeling of family.

Best buds.

2012-01-18T13:44:00.001-05:00

Gettting exercise at Gladys Porter Zoo

2012-01-17T23:44:00.002-05:00

The Oryx give Will a run!

The love tap-Gladys Porter Zoo

2012-01-17T23:39:00.003-05:00

For twenty minutes the big silverback male, Moja, had chased Penny, the female around the compound. See would retreat to the water knowing Moja didn't like the water, but then....

He gave her a love tap

And they both went their separate ways!

Owl release

2012-01-17T22:02:00.000-05:00

Docent Class at Gladys Porter Zoo

2012-01-17T22:01:00.001-05:00

After our lesson on zoo medicine we had a real treat!

Dr Tom gave us a real treat- he released three barn owls. Wow!

Time for a little reading before we start the day

2012-01-17T09:52:00.001-05:00

Sent from CamWow for iPhone
http://www.camwowapp.com/

Gladys Porter Zoo

2012-01-16T19:29:00.003-05:00

NEWS Flash: we heard from visitors today a new baby gorilla was born yesterday and is doing well with Martha, her mom.

The young flamingos are standing up for themselves in the stand

The new male crocodile is hungry

The female gets a fish!

Bangori is watching himself on the IPhone!

A peacock came to visit the flamingos

A whistling duck and an Ibis visit the flamingos

Harley's

2012-01-16T16:45:00.002-05:00

Sunday at Harley's!!

Greeting our fellow Harley's friends.

John introducing Will as his Dad...his older brother....

new...Harley's Salsa!!

Dance time....

Andy singing a few songs....

Roadtrek gets a new exhaust pipe

2012-01-15T12:51:00.002-05:00

MR2

2012-01-15T12:35:00.001-05:00

We have been working on the MR2 and she is looking good! Will cut some leather and made a new gear shift boot and is covering the armrest too. We found some dark blue upholster to cover the two door panels that have faded to an odd shade of purple. Then we will have it detailed by a professional so it looks like a new car. It feels sooooo good driving it around and it saves us gas.

We are going to Harley's tomorrow!!

2012-01-14T20:35:00.001-05:00

Yippie!!

Walking Flamingos at Gladys Porter Zoo

2012-01-14T14:51:00.001-05:00

It all started with the stand of American Flamingos, the only flamingo that naturally inhabits North America, at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville laying their single chalk white eggs on mud mounds in late spring and summer. The eggs were taken by zoo keepers and incubated for about 30 days when they little hatchlings arrived. They were hand fed with a dropper every two hours for about 10 days and soon were able to stand and feed on their own. Flamingo chicks feed “milk” produced in the crops of both parents just like pigeons. Well, as the weeks went on the flamingo chicks grew in their little cage at the back of the zoo when winter- Texan Docents Mary and Bob arrived and started taking the young birds out for daily exercise walks. And that brings us to this fine day in January when the young birds are banded and to walk across the zoo and join the rest of the stand of American Flamingos in the exhibit.

Here Keeper Jesse bands one of the young flamingos while Docent Mary marks the number and weight of the bird

The walk from the back of the zoo

behind the scenes and into the main zoo

past the lion

and the giraffe

past the tigers

past the Arabian Oryx

past the Lymidoc, the gorilla

And into their new home with the stand of flamingo, making it 40 American Flamingos at Gladys Porter Zoo.

Peanut, last year's newest flamingo shows the new ones where to go

Everyone watches and waits

After several hours they are comfortable enough to join the stand

and even take a bath

How do you like your sushi?

2012-01-12T18:39:00.001-05:00

Fried?!

Gladys Porter Zoo

2012-01-10T17:21:00.001-05:00

We were too close not to stop by and greet our gorilla friends. Bangori came right over and Martha gave us a few taps. Megan crawled up to the window for a little look too. Even Mojo walked past and gave us peek.

MR2 runs. Now to get it registered

2012-01-10T14:44:00.000-05:00

Getting the MR2 running

2012-01-10T11:58:00.001-05:00

Luckenbach where great musicians gather

2012-01-08T22:28:00.000-05:00

there is a place in Texas where the music is unplugged; singers and songwriters famous and want-ta-bees alike come by. Old Hondo started it way back when and Willie, Waylon and the boys made it famous with a song. We found it years back after hearing a song with it’s name and following a sign. It pulls at us each year as we drive to south Texas for the winter; yes we are snowbirds. Maybe it is the old buildings or the great live oaks. Maybe it is the people; the population might only be three, but the rooms fill up with some fine friendly folks. Stopping in a few times each year we are now recognized by a few and with Facebook we are able to keep in touch and are known by a few more and then there are some we have gone from recognition to friendship.

Keith Higgins

Jake Martin

Jimmy Davis

Cowboy Doug Martin

Sol Patch; Bill Lewis

Sol Patch with Austin in the center

Pam

Cowboy Doug with Kim in the background

Ricky playing harmonica

Walt Perryman, poet

Jake Martinhttp://www.myspace.com/jakemartinmusic84) (played a new song about the live oak trees of his tonight that had several of us in tears; wow, that boy has a way with words! We heard Kevin Higgins (http://www.myspace.com/kevinhigginssolo) for the first time and really liked his music. SolPatch (www.myspace.com/solpatch) with their Jazzy Blues, Bill Lewis (http://www.reverbnation.com/therealbilllewis) with his twist of musical and everyman musician, and Cowboy Doug (http://www.myspace.com/thenoteropers) with those fast picking fingers and those cowboy songs we had a great evening of music.

We have been in the Luckenbach vortex for a week and it is time to break away and head south.

Luckenbach all on a Friday Night

2012-01-07T14:14:00.001-05:00

Got some of the famous potato fries on a Friday in Luckenbach.

Luckenbach Around the Woodstove hosted Doug Moreland and the Flying Armadillo (http://www.dougmoreland.com/DM/Home.html) We had front row seats! It was a small intimate crowd in the bar spilling out a little into the new addition, Hondo’s Room. Doug talked about his Nashville experience and how he still writes and sings, but from Texas now. He also is a chainsaw carver! You can see his little bear hanging behind the bar in Luckenbach; everything hanging in the bar seems to have a story! Randy Roberts plays a standup bass for the group and he can sure play! He has a quiver attached to his bass that holds his bow; He uses that bow to make that bass sing! Rob Harding is the guitar player; oh my can his fingers move! They swarmed up and down the neck of that Gibson making a buzz that got the room clapping. It was a great night of music!

Check out how he was holding that fiddle!

Walt Perrryman told a few true stories.

Yep, we got the CD

And had a little fun.

ShAnnie

2012-01-06T17:03:00.001-05:00

Much time has past since we got the CD, The Station, from ShAnnie. We feel like a Driftin Lost Cowboy as we sit down to write about this swirl of music that sweeps the listener into their whirlwind of songs and instrumentals. Could It Be that Annie’s voice whispers and haunts and echoes in our ears so that we want more and more? This new album carries Winds of Change to their music; is it pop or folk or country. A Weatherman might call it “poltry: chicken soup for the soul! “ We hear Shan say, “I Can’t Reach You with my 12-string guitar, but Annie can with her voice!” The combination captures you Within Your Heart. the music bops then sways; it flies over and through just Missing You with a jolt here and there carried all the while with the rhythm of the guitar and voice of the Lipstick Warrior. If we had but One Tank of gas left, we would drive on over to Luckenbach to listen to ShAnnie Esa Noche. So take Care and give a listen to ShAnnie at http://www.shannieband.com/ You can even nominate them for the Texas Music Awards if you hurry; nominations end January 12th.

You Never Know at Luckenbach

2012-01-06T15:54:00.002-05:00

Ricky bar tends, tends the wood stove and.....tends to blow the roof off when he picks up his harmonica.

The creaky door opens and we enter the bar behind the general store in Luckenbach. The room is pretty empty for a Thursday night-a few locals at the bar chatting, a few passers-through on the bench, two very intent listeners at the table and two young men sitting in the corner strumming guitars with full face grins and exploding happy feelings all over the place. We took up seats around the circle to give a listen. Joe was singing and Jimmy turned and asked where we were from. “We live in our van and drive around” to which he replied, “I’m Joe from Memphis” or something to that effect. What a voice! He sang some great songs and could pick some mean guitar too. You can find Jimmy Davis at http://www.jimmy-davis.net/index.html Turns out he has be in the big time and has played all around the USA. His song, Kick the Wall got some airtime and even a video run on MTV. You never know who will be playing at Luckenbach.

See Jake Martin sittin' and a thinkin'

Walt graced us all with a few of his true stories and may have landed a gig in an upcoming TV show being taped in town. Seems some of the crew were right here giving a listen to some music and Walt did a few stories so they walked up and talked to him right then and there. You can catch him at: https://www.facebook.com/people/Walt-Perryman/1175503652 You never know who is listening in Luckenbach.

We were headed into Stonewall when the wheel of the road trek just turned toward Luckenbach and we ended up under the great live oaks and walked around in the early light of day. Saw Jimmy Lee Jones warming his hands at the wood stove and had a nice hello. Then who should we run across but the sweet Abbey Road. (https://www.facebook.com/abbeyroad1) We had a chance to chat a bit and pass along one of our calendars. She is such a lovely lady and keeps Luckenbach full of thrilling events.

Love the new addition

Yep, you never know who you are going to run into in Luckenbach!

Fredericksburg, Texas

2012-01-05T17:45:00.001-05:00

spent some time with Walt; he taught us to play Farkle

drove into town and did a walk about

stopped in Rustlin' Rob's for some samples

checked out the guitars in Hill Country Music Store and found a fiddle played by the Dixie Chicks!!

loved the lights in the little park

Luckenbach, Texas

2012-01-04T21:08:00.000-05:00

When we first found Luckenbach, Danny Terry was sitting in the store picking and a singing. He shared the history of the place with a reverence and we so it was good to see he is still here. Recently he married Lorna and she is such a sweet person; they make a great couple. Lorna was singing along tonight; a beautiful voice to add to Danny's old-time raspy one!

Jake Martin joined Sol Patch, Bryan and Melissa, around the picking circle singing some of his original songs; he has a CD out now.

Jake Martin singing Luckenbach Texas...Want the full song: http://youtu.be/-TOcGuGN0B4

Cowboy Doug came in and we greeted him as fellow family friendly big noses; always gets a chuckle.

Even kids enjoy Luckenbach

Cowboy Poet, Walt Perryman, told a few true stories.

Johnson City,TX

2012-01-03T20:17:00.001-05:00

Great Mexican food!!

Driving west

2012-01-02T18:12:00.000-05:00

Gonna be sleeping in Texas tonight!

Natchez Trace

2012-01-02T11:38:00.002-05:00

Outside of Nashville we got on Natchez Trace, one of the most historic routes in America This parkway is the nation’s second-oldest federally built highway. It is 450 miles and follows old animal trails, Indian routes, trapper’s paths and roads connecting farms. As early as 1733, the sees of trails that became Natchez Trace were included on maps drawn by French trappers and traders. It was the way to get from one point to another by foot or by horse; in the days of the flatboats it was the route to return “home” as you could not pole a flatboat up river so the flatboat was sold for lumber after the goods were sold. Then merchants followed the Old Trace back “home”. Things worked like that until 1822 when the steamboat came to this area. Things got pretty quiet along the Old Trace after that and for the next hundred years or so. Then in the 1930’s construction began on a scenic two-lane paved roadway that closely followed the original Trace; it was designed for people like us -unhurried. Today it is still a two-lane road with no traffic signals, no stop signs and no commercial business along it. A great way to travel and see some natural beauty of the surrounding landscape and catch up on a little history too.

There are three free campgrounds along the Trace: Meriweather Lewis where we stayed in the fall, Jeff Busby where we stayed for New Year’s Eve and Rocky Springs where we stayed after getting off the Trace to watch the Steeler’s beat the Browns in football at Buffalo Wild Wings in Jackson, MS. They are first come, first serve and no reservations are accepted. We have been lucky to catch both when they are not filled.

Dinner...yum

Tuning so we can have a sing-a-long

Can you see the grasshopper?

New Year's Eve at Jeff Busby Campground

Mile marker 122.6 River Bend picnic area

Mile marker 122:Cypress Swamp. Self guiding trail through a water tupelo/bald cypress swamp.

So much to see and do along the way! We will be sorry to have to have it end.

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T15:04:00.002-05:00

Our calendar to bring in the best of each day to you.

Tennessee River

2011-12-30T11:19:00.000-05:00

Sitting at the Tennessee River looking at that beautiful view; sun on the Natchez Trace bridge. In our heads we could hear a fiddling tune! We are in Alabama....Oh! www.myspace.com/alabamarocks/music/songs/tennessee-river-314431

A Walker Family Visit

2011-12-30T09:44:00.001-05:00

View from the house

Breakfast

We made almond butter and Kathy is wearing her new Go Platinum RedHead Express shirt!

Cocoa is such a good dog

LaRae making potato salad

Kitchen time

Reviewing for Meghan's driver's test

Looks too good to eat

More kitchen time

Everyone loves pineapple!Presents

Private concert, performance number 99!!

We drove up past the lower house, past the pond, thru the gate and up the windy drive to the house hanging on the hillside. What a view from up there! The Roadtrek cuddled in with the SUVs and the 15-passenger van. We were greeted by Ammon at the door.Hugs all around and time passed with presents, discussions, meal preparations, house readying for their first overnight guest, quiet time, edit time, meals, dishes, baking, and yes, a house concert, our 99th performance! The girls shared their newest songs and a medley they are preparing for the Texas shows. We also received our Go Platinum team kits. You are gonna want one of these! Just go to www.redheadexpress.com and click on “Go Platinum”. It will change your life!

Classis Chistmas Carols

2011-12-27T19:52:00.001-05:00

Today is a good day to drive! We are driving along interstates with the sounds of Christmas carols dancing in our heads In our heads. Sirrus radio has a station playing all the classics. Will guesses the artist and is right on! Frank Sinatra. Dean Martin. The platter Sisters. The father of soul; what's his name? Herb Albert and the Tijana Brass. The Beach Boys. Gotta love the classics. Reminds us of younger years singing at home around the tree or going with a gang out house to house all bundled up. Then came the hot chocolate. Oh chocolate. Pulled out our goodies we got from family. A chocolate filled fig for Kathy followed by a dark chocolate square. A hazelnut Roche for Will followed by a milk chocolate kiss. Noel. Little Town of Bethlehem. Silent Night. Winter Winderland. Joy to the World. Do you have a classic favorite?

Rainy day to drve south

2011-12-27T10:07:00.001-05:00

Rain tickles the van. We are warm and cuddled inside waking up to start a new day. We made it to Summersville,West Virginia yesterday after a stop at our storage room to organize a bit. Behind us are plastic crates of memrabilia of days gone by all packed away waiting for a turn to ride in the van. Along with us are the essentials and those little memorabilia that fit. Thing one has that have meaning and memories. Our space may be small but we have managed to carry lots with us. The sky is that dark gray that speaks of rain. Today is a good day to drive!!

A Christmas Day celebration

2011-12-26T14:40:00.001-05:00

Sisters exchange gifts

A doe checked out the back yard tree!!Aunt Meme with Everett

Just hanging out

The joy of

our traditional

White Elephant

Everett wants dinner

Sueann and Jen made the famous Seven Fishes

And served everyone!

Will helped Jess with her resume packet

And A Christmas Story was on the TV

Sueann made a yummy Yule Log for desert along with other goodies including the Martinelli Cookies

Jen in the kitchen

Sueann in the kitchen

Travel gifts from Van-Go

is a time for us to share our adventures

Oh the treasures of White elephant are admired by all!

And still more presents were admired by all.

Merry Christmas one and all....

Christmas morning

2011-12-25T09:23:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T20:06:00.000-05:00

and a Ho Ho Ho.....

Christmas Shopping

2011-12-20T21:46:00.001-05:00

Shopping. We planned to just make a quick stop to get our brains thinking like Santa. We walked into the store and Christmas carols tickled our ears. All the toys and goodies yelled from the shelves, "buy me, buy me!" We played with this and examined that. We checked out this and admired that. After about two hours we walked out without making a purchase. We walked into the next store feeling a little like Santa's elves. This time we had specific little ones in mind as we played, examined, checked out and admired all the toys and goodies. We needed a break so headed to Subway where we got our usual: Italian BMT on cheese and herb with the works. An old fashion rootbeer with a splash of cherry soda and we were energized once again. This time we walked into the store feeling like little elves ready to load Santa's sleigh. Oh we still played with this and that and we still examined just about everything. We checked out every shelf and admired all the creative toys and goodies but in the end we walked out with only one cart full. No we are not finished shopping, but we made a good start filling stockings for Christmas!

Now to be honest we had shopped last week. We shopped on line. There was no Christmas carol tickling our ears or toys and goodies yelling from the shelves. But there was free shipping to Hawaii!

Cookie Day 2011

2011-12-18T12:25:00.001-05:00

Breakfast

Skyp with Jenny and Justin

Helper Cliff

Helper Don

Lunch

Sue's treat for each of us!

Beech Road

2011-12-18T12:14:00.000-05:00

We stopped in Plum and left a new wreath with Fletch and Jayne; and peeked at the house. No, we have no regrets with not being there! We are happy it has a new family living there.

Christmas Tea

2011-12-18T12:09:00.003-05:00

Each year Sueann has a Christmas Tea; she starts by reading a story about the Willow Pattern

Oh my, the yummy treasures she serves

with tea....

We sure were energized after all the tea!

Arrived in Tampa, on to Pittsburgh-Chapter Fourteen

2011-12-18T12:01:00.000-05:00

Said goodbye to all our towel animals

Arrived in Tampa in the wee hours of morning

Everyone packed and ready

We packed and carried our luggage off the ship ourselves.

Lots of people put their luggage out of their cabin before they went to bed then in the morning the staff take it off the ship in carts.

We found a nice place to sit on the ship sipping coffee till our zone was called

We took the bus to the airport...

And caught up with emails, facebook and blog.

Photo Contest-Chapter Thirteen

2011-12-18T11:48:00.001-05:00

We entered the ship's photo contest with these five pictures. Which one would you pick?

This is the winner! Will is there with the 1st place winner; we picked it too-the dancer with her skirt all a twirl.

We won second place with the fishing boat picture!!This is the third place winner with Will getting all the goodies; her picture was of a tree from up close climbing up a twig; We really picked that as a winner too!

Picture books and pictures the ship photographer too and....

a canvas print of the winning picture!