Hi Y'all

Hi  Y’all

Funny how fly for a few hours in your own country, disembark, and are plunged into a different culture – different expressions, different food preferences, not to mention different manners –the south leans toward polite.

On the flight from Philadelphia to Knoxville (nox’vul) I asked my seatmate, a lifelong resident, if she knew of a place to get dinner on Christmas. She assured me “There’s always someplace to get good food in the south – good and fried.”

However, dinner was our first challenge. We chose a Waffle House in Maryville (mara’vul) – it was our only choice as it turned out.  We sat at the counter since the place was bustling and watched with amazement at the ballet composed of ten seasoned servers juggling plates of waffles, eggs, patty melts and potatoes and all with hearty good cheer and holiday greetings. One of us – not the American – watched the drama unfold, “I’m flabbergasted!” he said.

Our first campsite was the Quality Inn with free breakfast and heat. Teddy and Lady roughed it in the van alone. They were comfy, though.

And that brings me back to the snow bird issue. I spent a lot of time thinking about this as I winged across the country from 70-degree, sunny San Diego. I came up with a fitting name for someone crazy enough to leave perfect weather to camp in the cold in a van without heat –a temperate turkey!

Filled up the van today for $1.96 per gallon. It cost less to fill up the van than it does to fill my Fiat.

On our way to Desoto State Park in Alabama! Y’all have a fine day!

t&j