July 13-14

You know how you never get around to doing the things locally that would be high on any visitor's list? That was always true of Grandfather Mountain for Clare and me -- neither of us ever got to the top while we were living next door. At least she had made it up to the swinging bridgeas a ten-year-old, but for me a first trip. At any rate, great fun getting high enough to see why these are called the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Kodiak the bear in the animal habitat exhibit didn't hurt the experience either.

On from Grandfather to a nice visit with NCOBS friends Lisa and Skip. Wish for lots more

time in this corner of the state and with the people in it! Good to be moving by afternoon,

though, and to be making tracks west. Down from Linville on Rt. 221 (missed getting onto

the Kessler Highway - next time!) to hit our artery west, route 40. Hard work for the car

and torrential rains as we passed through Smokies and on in to Tennessee to camp a couple

hours shy of Nashville at a peaceful state park I've already lost the name of (Cumberland

Mtn State Park - Clare). Good day, but tired and wearing on each other a little bit.

Reclaimed good spirits with evening firefly catching!

-Dan

Must give a mention to the wonderful Visitor Center folks at the rest stops when first

entering a state - they have been great! They've given us good advice, good maps and

coupons! That's how we found out about Cumberland SP.

-Clare

July 14

Big driving day -- we'd make it 488 miles before done! Boy, does Tennessee do roads

well. This day we covered the same miles as our first two days combined, but instead

of congestion and tolls and fearing for our safety we had open roads and cruise control

speeds and greenery to look at. Land changes so much out of NC, then stepping down

further after eastern Tennessee. We aimed for Memphis originally, but cruising so well

we decided to push on and make it to Little Rock and ourfriends Kathryn and Mike. Well

worth it to stop for a bit at the border and wade the scale model of the whole Mississippi

that's on Mud Island in Memphis. We badly needed water of any sort, andthis was almost

as good as swimming and much more educational. Also good to score some Mississippi

River water for the collection, narrowly avoiding reprimands from the park security

officer who was trying hard to close up for the night.Very nice to be looking at a layover

day tomorrow with good friends in a beautiful place! Arkansas very welcoming indeed.

- Dan

Happy Bastille Day! Memphis needed more time but it was a welcome diversion to see

the MississippiRiver model Dan describes above. See picture of us at the 'headwaters'.

Too hot to cook and therest stop was closed once we crossed over the great Mississippi

from Tennessee to Arkansas, so we kept driving. Snacks for dinner works just as well

Driving up to Kathryn and Mike's house saw the Arkansas River right in their backyard!

We parked andlooked out at this expanse of water - beautiful. Big trees and a big porch -

can't wait to be sipping coffee in the morning on the porch!

- Clare