We left Rochester on Sunday heading for Pittsburgh PA to visit Carol’s VSW (Visual Studies Workshop) classmate Cynthia and her husband Jay. After threading coach and Jeep through some of the narrowest, windy, hilly streets – Pittsburgh – we have encountered we entered the Elks parking lot to find them waiting. This was more awkward then usual since we had not really stowed stuff carefully on departure and setting up while being observed can lead to stupid mistakes. We were lucky not to make any. Since they had met us, we had no need to disconnect the car which was a blessing. After a lovely dinner and a tour of their incredible home and art collection we returned to the coach and slept soundly.

We rose to set off for Columbus OH just 2 or 3 hours down the road to spend time with Lee and Tinya, he was one of my college roommates and also a classmate from Temple B’rith Kodesh so we have a long history. We pulled out of Columbus the next morning and headed to Nashville. The usual places we have stayed were either full or had such horrible reviews I could not abide stopping there. We found a place – Safe Harbor RV – that met our needs and had a space for us. It was the most expensive campsite we have ever had outside of Jersey City across from Manhattan. It was worth it. The area is lovely, the location was central and staff were pleasant. Our first night was a shopping expedition with an accidental excursion into the heart of Nashville . Carol says to blame the GPS, I am inclined to take the blame for operator failure. The next day we toured The Hermitage, President Jackson’s home and then headed into Nashville for a dinner to celebrate my birthday knowing there would be no decent restaurant at our next stop in Red Bay. Rolfe and Daughters had ambiance, common tables and a bit too much noise, service and food. I have never had a chicken dish that tasted so wonderful , I seldom order it, but it was recommended. Carol’s food was also very good. We would go back. Next we drove to Broadway, the entertainment heart of Nashville. After parking we strolled a couple of blocks before walking in to Legends on the Corner where a group called the Scalawags was playing. After a bit Carol got into the music and  this link tells the story.

A half a day’s drive along the Natchez Trace Parkway brought us to Red Bay. We stopped at Bird Song Overlook where we spent a day and a night in a blizzard in 2003. If you are interested in that story and other tales from ’03 https://goldberg-online.net/journals-blogs-whatever/cross-country-2003-xc2003/ will take you to the entire winter blog with the tale of Natchez Trace after the first —break—

I feel very loved with phone calls, texts, emails and FaceBook regards. Thank you all.