On the Road

Well, it's been almost four months since I've written this blog, so it's time to start again.

Tonight I'm writing from Tupelo, Mississippi, where Larry and I are staying during our drive on the Natchez Trace Parkway. We left this afternoon from the north end just south of Nashville, and we'll complete the 444 mile drive tomorrow afternoon in Natchez, Mississippi. It is very beautiful, and amazing driving. There are absolutely no cars, no commercial vehicles, and, unless you choose to turn off the Parkway, no stops. We have stopped along the way to see the historical sites, which today included the grave of Meriwether Lewis, who committed suicide on October 11, 1809, at Grinder's Inn, one of the stands, or inns, along the original Trace. The original Trace was basically an indented path worn over the decades that was used for personal and commercial travel in the 19th century.

On Monday we started driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, which was equally beautiful in Virginia and North Carolina. It was amazing to drive along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains at about 3500 feet the whole way. Another wonderful drive, and again, not many cars or anything else!

Before that we visited friends and family in Virginia, Chicago, and St. Louis. Larry's been on the road since September 12, and I joined him on the 24th in St. Louis.

On Friday we go to New Orleans for two nights, then to West Monroe, Louisiana to visit Larry's brother and family, and then to Texas for a few visits with friends.

Right now I'm reading a wonderful novel - A Novel Bookstore, by Laurence Cosse (that last "e" has an accent - anybody know how to get to symbols in blogspot?) Anyway, it is a wonderful story and I highly recommend it. The other thing I have to report on the reading front is that I bought a Kindle. I've subscribed to the New Yorker and am enjoying that access. It does all work very seamlessly. I haven't actually read a book yet, and that will be the real test. But, so far I'm impressed. It certainly is easier than carting around a pile of books while traveling - although there is a pile in the car!

That's all for today. More travel and reading observations tomorrow - really.