Friends;

(Bayou running > gun shots, pig stabbings, rich food)

Well, we got out ALIVE; I'm referring to the DEEP SOUTH >amazingly our hearts still beating. Loved visiting & Loooved leaving! Bayous and guns ablazing while running, Swamps, plantations, confederacy, fried catfish ad nausea, Cold Weather and Elvis > crazy!! So far, 12 states visited > Northwest, Far West, Southwest, South and Deep South > over 6000 miles in 7 months and going strong. Both Laura and I think our trip just keeps getting better! BTW, you gotta LOVE the one your with!! 24/7 and often times best and only friend. You'll either love 'em more or wanna 'need I say'... In my case, I love Laura more than ever and she's the BEST valentine I could ever hope for!!

Yesterday we reached Florida and some warmth. As soon as we crossed the stateline stopped into the Welcome Center, as we always do, to get the 'local knowledge' about the what to do and what to see in "their" state.

So we went inside, we were offered fresh chllled OJ and Grapefruit Juice In the other 11 states we've visited so far, we didn't get anything > California are you listening? BTW, if trying to make fast friends, don't say the OJ in Ca. is better> I lost my new friends fast.... The folks inside immediately offered me TWO florida state maps > regular print and large print ("for tired eyes," really?) and as we drove down the state there were Rest Stops every 30-40 miles, instead of the usual every 75-100+ miles > very nice! They were also beautifully maintained and even have night security patrol on site > how can you beat that!

So we've left Alabama (for good??). I'll always think of Tammy, random acts of PIG STABBINGS (read last blog), Hank Williams "Lost Highway" Highway, First Confederacy White House in Montgomery, a State Supreme Court that purposefully disregards our US Supreme Court Decision (re: Gay Marriage), Gov. George Wallace and Segregation, and of course, the very famous Home of the "National Peanut Festival!" Honestly, it's a beautiful state and we wish we could have spent more time there and got to know it from the inside out...

The other night in Nashville, we saw a wonderful play. The Nashville Reperatory Theater, small 200 seat theater, performance of the "The Whipping Man." Wow, I can highly recommend it! A little background > First, it is one of the Top 10 most-produced plays in the country. The Fall of Richmond, Va. during the Civial War ocurred at Passover (celebrating the Israelites escaping Egyptian slavery). Knowing slaves usually embraced the faith of their owners, the playwright turned things around and had the Plantation owners be Jewish. So like Passover, the Post-War was when American slaves were just becoming free. Eddie George, record-setting football superstar, Ohio State Heisman trophy, NFL Titans > Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowler and Super Bowls was the lead in this play. He was really excellent! WHIPPINGS were heavily weaved into the texture of the play, but none on stage (my wife greatly appreciated that!!) So we can most highly recommend it. It's highly emotional!

On our last day in Nashville we also got a tour of Vanderbilt University > beautiful campus! The night before, when out for dinner, we met a young fellow in the MD/Pharm pHD program at Vanderbilt and he offered to show us around. It was a real treat. The picture above was a sign at Vanderbilt that Laura liked.

So now we're in Florida. Heading to Miami this weekend to see Laura's Brother David and wife. Then down to the Key West area for sun, swim and THREE National Parks, Everglades, Dry Tortugas (reachable by boat or seaplane) and Biscayne (only by boat). Then mid-march, Laura's other brother Art, his wife Ilene and kids are coming down. We'll be busy and having fun! Anyone else wanna come down and visit?? Please we'd love it!!

We've had lots of cold weather and now we'll ready for some "fun in the sun." Last night we stayed in the "Spirit of The Suwannee Music Park and Campground" State Park. We smiled when we realized this park is named after the adjacent Suwanee River. Remember the famous song "Swanee"(different spelling), written by George Gershwin in 1919 and made famous by Al Jolson > who woulda thought...

Finally WE HOPE you're enjoying our Blogs. We'd GREATLY appreciate you posting a comment (see below) and letting us know. Thank you.

Warmest Wishes and Happy Valentines Day to family and friends!!

Gary & Laura