Greetings from North Carolina

Greetings from the mountains of North Carolina!

I made the 10 1/2 hour drive by myself yesterday, and for the most part, I enjoyed the relaxation and the trip. Rising at 5 am and getting on the road at 6 is my preference; I have more energy in the mornings. I hear that Jesus was that way too; prefering mornings, rising early, and praying. That makes me feel holy that I have an innate trait like Jesus; the rest of what's good in me does not come naturally, I can assure you.

I could talk longer on why I love mornings, but I'll spare you.

Though the fog and gloom made me tired, I enjoyed the simple sites of the south. I knew I was in Mississippi when I started seeing cotton fields, and of course the "Welcome to Mississippi" sign was an obvious indication.

I knew I was in Alabama when I saw a dirty 18 wheeler with "LSU sux" written by someone's finger. I also like to play "Sweet Home Alabama" when I'm driving through. I love that song, and I just have such a fondness for the state.

And Georgia, it had the most foliage. But just as I admired the foliage, the honking of Atlanta traffic caused my grip on the wheel to be tightened. Eight lane traffic ain't nothin' to play around with.

And then the mountains of North Carolina, well that's just spectacular.

I drive through states often; it's been a neccessity these last few years. I don't always notice the sites, though. On this trip, I had a book on tape {"The Paris Wife"} and many songs on my iPod. I may be the person with the most eclectic taste in music with this being on my playlist: George Straight, Griffin House, Patsy Cline, Bob Segar, The Allman Brothers, and *coughMandyMoorecough*

But this time, in between my music choices and my book on tape, I admired the south. I really thought about it's beauty and uniqueness.

These thoughts come on the heels of a "run-in" with some folks from another area. Another area not in the U.S.of A.

They were delightful, really. The only problem was their "matter of fact" assumptions of The Civil War. Yes, we went there. They noticed my last name, and I spoke of how Andrew and his family and now I, were proud of our Civil War heritage. Then one of the foreign folks turns to her foreign friend and said, "Those are the bad guys."

From me: a loud gasp and then, an open jaw.

I can't remember if I said "the south will rise again", but I definitely thought it. All it takes is one viewing of "Gone With The Wind" to respond to comments like that with a gasp.

I tell this story with such drama, but it was more "tongue and cheek" in reality. I don't really take the south, foliage, and life that seriously, but maybe if I did, I could have a column in Garden & Gun.

If only.

There's more to come on my trip. Escargot yesterday and dumpster diving today! I love my southern life.