keeping busy: April 2011

Monday, April 25, 2011

Babies - Bears - Beale St.

We had a great time visiting with Benji, Catherine, Isaac and Eli. We had a fun at the park with Isaac, going up and down the slide and throwing rocks in the creek. Then we were off to beautiful Asheville where we ate and drank our way around town. There were protests and drum circles a plenty. Saturday we checked in at Smokemount campground in the Great Smokey Mountains. We made some delicious smoky meals over the campfire. Our first day we wanted to go for a quick walk and wound up doing the 6.5 mile Smokemont Loop Trail.http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/smokemont_loop.htm Sunday we hiked the steep and rocky Cimney Tops http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/chimney.htm and the cool and misty Grotto Falls http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/grotto.htm This morning we left the park and drove the whole length of Tennessee. We got to Memphis for dinner, Jason got his ribs! And made a quick visit to Beale Street. The energy in town was high because the Memphis Grizzlies are in the playoffs and there is a tornado warning in the area. Tomorrow we will be driving all day all the way through Mississippi to New Orleans. Wish us luck!

Benji, Eli, Catherine and Isaac

Do it again Isaac!!!

Just chillin

Welcome to Asheville, today's protest: rape

Enjoying mega portions at Salsas

Dancing to the beat of 30 drummers

Yummy breakfast at Early Girl.

Welcome to campsite B24

Cooking over a fire is harder then it looks! But very rewarding.

Climbing up the top of Chimney Tops

Enjoying the top

Chimney Tops from the bottom

Jason in the wildflower meadow

Taking an extreme shower

Spot the bunny!

This little bear cub stopped traffic for a photo shoot

Rib-a-dib-dibs

Beale Street Big Ass Beer

Thursday, April 21, 2011

DC - Chapel Hill - Charlotte

Jason Posting

Basically puddle jumping though the first leg of the trip (minus the puddles). One day DC, one Day Chapel Hill, and into Charlotte b/c "You gotta see the baby". Some quality time spent with Jenny, Kate's Cousin, despite her tough schedule, but we will see her for the upcoming wedding out in Cali. Fun walking around the Dupont area of DC which is lovely and has a surprising abundance of Hookah spots, i think i counted 6 in a 1/4 mile stretch. Without fail we ran into Jersey folk in a local bar as they insisted on blasting Bon Jovi over the bar PA (note we only had one drink at said bar). DC was quite fun walking around saw some sweet ceramics done by the one an only ace philly pitcher Cliff Lee (who knew the depth of his talent). Chapel Hill, great to see Keith and his soon to be sugar momma, soon to be nurse, Marley in Chapel Hill, and Big Up to Hazel. Duke gardens for a brief walk, and some serious dietary restrictions (one gluten free, one lactose-intolerant), sorry to blow up you spot guys but serious Do Not Visit Them (JK, serious visit them, they are lonely). Then a quick drive to Charlotte to see Kate's other cousin Benji, wife Catherine, 2 babies Eli and Issac, dog, and cat.

Kate says hello.