Bristol, TN/VA

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We have arrived in Bristol, TN/VA. Apparently there was some confusion about state lines; it runs through the center of town. It is also the birthplace of country music... Every radio station plays country/bluegrass music...All the time. I know all the words to that WooHoo song. When in Bristol, one visits the Pickin' Porch to take in some local tunes. Tyler Hughes and The Generation Gap from Big Stone Gap, VA (just in case they become famous, you heard about them here!)played some old Beatles stuff...it was all fun. Annie, did I give you a book called Big Stone Gap? There is also a big NASCAR Speedway here...and lots of black and white checkered RVs, clothes, buildings...

The trip for Tulip, not exactly traumatic, not exactly relaxing. She was glad when the Lakeview RV Park sign came into view.

The Togetherness Meter: Plummeted. Al took off with Adrienne for a couple of days. He seemed really anxious to get to the Trail, and even let her downsize what went into his backpack... I'm being my usual charming self. He must have been craving some freeze-dried food...or just wanting to sleep on the ground. Who knows...?

Adrienne has completed +/-500 miles of the AT and seems remarkably well. We feel fortunate to be tagging along to witness her self-sufficiency, incredible grit and determination. It is fun to occasionally feed her when she takes a break from her journey, meet some of her fellow thru-hikers and listen to the STORIES.

We biked the 1st 1/3 of The Virginia Creeper Trail an old railroad bed turned hiking/biking trail beginning in Abington, VA. It was amazing...and flat!! It winds along a river, through fields, pastures and farms and over trestles. Twenty miles was a pretty good day for us. Al is shopping for a new (bigger) seat for his bike.:) Some... discomfort I believe. Josh is the real biker in the family. It could only be better if he were here with us!

We did some more hiking in the rain, but, alas, summer seems to have arrived! Gas prices have risen, but diesel fuel is less than gas. Imagine that? The dually gets hungry often! Our plan is to stay in Bristol until mid-June.