Presidents day and a picnic

It’s presidents day and good to know that this one won’t last for much longer. I’ll spend a quiet morning and afternoon. When Mary comes home we all go for a walk and a picnic down by the dock. Here is the Spanish moss again.

It’s an affluent neighborhood and I imagine how it must feel to live like that - I think I’d enjoy that quite a bit, well I’m working hard on it...

It’s such a beautiful and peaceful day and I haven’t spend it like that for a while. Love the view!

Here is the whole family ready to picnic...

We have antipasti, cheese, bread, and I got a bottle of Gewürztraminer from Alsace.

Later on back in the house we have a light dinner and then short after I’m ready to close my eyes.

Spanish moss and the South

Today I have two shows. I get up early to drive to Bluffton where I play in a UU church. The GPS leads me through back streets and I love to see the Spanish moss hanging from oak trees - that is totally looking like the South to me.

I’m ending up on an unpaved road and a dead end! Darn so far I could always rely on the system and it’s getting late. I call the minister on how to get there and he’s already a little concerned but I make it in time. It’s a new church and looks great.

It a good start of the day and I have a little time before I have to be in Savannah so I drive to Hilton Head Beach which is very close. Here it is, finally the Atlantic ocean - it’s beautiful!

I walk on the sand and feel the breeze - oh you got to love that...

After that I’m on my way to Savannah and cross over a very cool bridge.

I’m playing a house concert at Kelley’s. She’s the music director for the Savannah UU and has offered to host it. Her friends are simply great and it is one of the best shows I played on this tour so far.

Here is the core of the evening

I’m staying with Kelley’s friend Mary and her family who live close by and have a guest room.

Finally the Atlantic ocean

It seems like I wake up in a castle or something close and everything looks unreal for a second.

Maybe I’m still dreaming...

Nope I hear Benjamin’s voice and smell bacon. After we have a wonderful breakfast it is time to say goodbye. One last view back...

Today is Saturday and I have an off day which is very strange but what can you do. Sometimes it is just like that. I drive towards Bluffton, SC where I have a UU gig tomorrow morning. It’s beautiful here and I’m enjoying the ride.

I remember Pat Metheney’s song Airstream when I see this one

I find a little motel close to Hilton Head and stay there for the night.

Into the North Carolina heartland

After I get up we take a nice walk around their property.

It connects to the Appalachian trail. What a nice lookout.

2-3 times per day there is a little train coming through.

Then it’s time to leave and start driving to North Carolina. But not before a famous one armed shot of Sybille and me...

Wow, it’s really in the boones and I enjoy the drive away from the highway.

Even my GPS does not exactly know where I’m playing and i have to ask my way to the Leah Richter Auditorium.

It’s a great venue and I’m looking forward to the concert.

Here is my little store where I sell CDs after the show.

I have a whole band (Mark Lassiter Band) as my opening act!

I have a great show with about 100 people in the audience and standing ovation! I’m thrilled. Here is a pic with Mark and parts of his band after the concert.

I’m invited to stay with Ben and Celia at their place just two blocks away from the concert hall. We have a little spontaneous party. Here are Ben, Johnny, Trey, Celia and me just before calling it a night.

Knoxville Radio and my Virginia Family

It’s freezing this morning and I have to scrape ice before I can start driving to Knoxville. I’m playing a live radio show at noon.

Once the sun is up it’s all beautiful again.

I get there around 11am and take a little walk downtown.

I’m the “Blue Plate Special”. It’s a live radio show with audience and cameras for the local news.

It goes well and folks love it! After the show I start driving towards Virginia. My niece Sybille is living close to Roanoke with her husband Mark. They wanted to visit me in Deep Gap, NC but the concert got cancelled so I decided to visit them.

It’s a beautiful drive and I’m excited to visit with them.

This paert of the country reminds me of southern Bavaria or parts of Austria.

I arrive around 7 pm and am greeted by their doggie...

Sybille prepared a wonderful dinner and has a great Margaux wine as an introduction.

Then it’s time for the main course!

Oh my is that good - I can’t stop eating...and there is more to come.

After that we sit in the living room and chat until the wee morning hours. It’s time for bed.

Another House Concert

I sleep in and then do some biz on the computer. In the late afternoon Stephanie gets all already excited!

Vicky too...

It’s going to be a small concert with about 12 people in a little living room

It turns out to be great and everybody has a good time. After the concert we party on and it’s about 2 am when I finally hit the hay.

Back in Chattanooga

I’m back on the road again and on my way to Chattanooga

I love the drive and am glad to see some mountains again.

It’s great to back with Vicky and Stephanie and I get the same room like last year. I’m tired and go to bed...

Mississippie and the dry counties

It’s Monday and I’m driving on. My GPS leads me through Mississippie.

After hours in the car I’m ready to take a motel and drive into a little town.

All the motels I look at are dumps and I can’t do it. I really want a beer tonight and am driving through all these dry counties. Then I have enough and turn North towards Tennessee. I promise myself to hit the first liquor store I find and get a six pack...
Then it starts pouring...

I make it to Jackson, TN and score a beer and a decent motel. Tomorrow I’m going to Chattanooga.