The Rambling Teardrop: May 2013

Monday, May 20, 2013

States We've Visited

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Home Sweet Home

When we returned home Spring had arrived! Our crab apple tree was in full bloom...what a nice welcome home!

After leaving Austin we began heading north toward home. We drove northeast through Texas and Arkansas (my place of birth) and settled for the evening in Memphis. It was here at the local KOA that we met another teardrop lover...Steve. He built his teardrop in about two weeks and he and his wife were on their maiden voyage from Missoula, MT. Their goal was to eat BBQ in every state on their way to North Carolina! He went over every inch of our teardrop getting ideas for his next build. The next morning we went into Memphis for breakfast...what a fun little city! We're definitely going to return to enjoy their bluesy nightlife! Before leaving town we had to visit Graceland and then we were on our way again. We drove the length of Tennessee and finally saw some armadillo....dead on the road. That night we stayed in another KOA in Pigeon Forge..home of Dolly Parton. This KOA was neat as a pin. Pigeon Forge is quite the touristy area! Though the views of the Smoky Mountains are beautiful. The next day was a long driving day. We traveled along the Blue Ridge Mountains into northern VA. That night's KOA was my least favorite of the whole trip. It was crowded and loud and strange. That night was bittersweet though because it was our last evening of the trip. Driving through New York and New Jersey the next day was the pits. Traffic was backed up and at a standstill for at least an hour and a half. It made me so appreciate home!

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Chelsea, Ryan, Athena & Bobby

We had a great time in Austin with Chelsea and Ryan! Our trips to Austin always include lots of good eats and this trip was no different! BBQ and Mexican, what could be better! We tried our hand at paddle-boarding on Lady Bird Lake which was challenging for me, but no problem for the rest of the gang! They're getting ready to move into their new house in a nicer part of town...not far from South Congress. We took a nice walk around their new neighborhood...I know they'll be happy there. We also got acquainted with Chelsea's wonderful boss Jenn and her little guy, Ashton. What a cutie! Knowing that they're so happy there makes it a little easier to say goodbye.