The Big Black Bus

Last Tuesday morning I was just getting out of bed when I heard a loud clash of thunder, or so I thought.  When I looked outside, I discovered a big tree limb had fallen and bounced off my roof before destroying my awning.  I was immediately grateful that it wasn't much worse.  Had it hit my roof point down, I'm sure the damage would have been severe.  As it is, I'm out for a new awning and the frame is still okay.  I am thankful!

Many of the street musicians in Asheville are entertaining, but this group always grabs my attention and I finally figured out why.  The female banjo player has always looked familiar and on this day, I realized she reminds me of Alfalfa from the Little Rascals!  She could be his twin sister!

This French Broad River overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway is a short hop from here and one I like to frequent.  But this time was an attention grabber for sure.  Hope the owner of this lost friend returned to find him. 

Chimney Rock has long been one of my most favorite places in the whole world.  So it was easy to jump on the Burg and head that way when the weather forecast was clear, sunny and warm.  The elevator was not working that day, so I climbed the 200+ steps to the top, thinking I had done it well.  Until I got out of bed the next morning and nearly fell on my face because my calf muscles were so sore and tight!  A few days before I had watched the new version of "Last of the Mohican's" which had many scenes filmed on the rock.  It was a great day and a great ride!

Today was a strange one.  After not getting a ticket to see the President at the airport today because I didn't want to stand in line for hours yesterday, I decided to ride the Burg to Boone/Blowing Rock to enjoy the warm weather and spectacular fall colors.  Little did I know that I would encounter the President's entourage along the way. 

I left Fletcher at 10:30, after having to move my trailer so the tree that dropped a limb on my trailer can be removed tomorrow.  I'm sad about that, being a longtime tree hugger.  She is older than I am and I sure hate to see her go.

The President was due to arrive here at 11:00, so I beat the traffic out of here and headed for the High Country.  I had decided to drive 221, as it is very pretty and curvy, but since I got a late start, I changed my mind and went 321 so I could get there at a decent hour and have lunch with Zoe, good friend and former wife number 2.  When I got on 321 at Lenoir, I called here and said let's meet in Blowing Rock for lunch since I was running late and it would save time.  She readily agreed and suggested Woodland's Barbecue which had catered both of our 50th birthdays. 

After talking with Zoe and heading up the highway, I saw a law enforcement officer at every intersection, driveway and cut across.  He was coming this way!  There was no doubt about it and it was exciting!

Zoe and I had a nice lunch at Woodland's in Blowing Rock, and as we started to leave, realized that we couldn't.  The road had been closed and all traffic was being diverted into an adjacent parking lot.  During lunch I had asked about a former neighbor and golf mate, Stacy Miller, wondering if he had pursued his dream of law enforcement instead of owning and operating a highly successful electrical contracting company.  As we stood beside the road, a police car sped up and came to a halt, and who should get out but....Stacy Miller!

We spoke briefly and it was so good to see him again.  A very good person following his dream!  Zoe needed a rest break, but was afraid to leave because she might miss the big event.  So I asked Stacy, "Does Zoe have time to go pee?"  He just smiled and said she might want to wait a few minutes.  Of course he was right and in a few minutes, here came the Big Black Bus with our Commander in Chief on board. 

I was headed for Zoe's after lunch to meet Lola, her new cat, and to see the house on Briarpatch Lane, where I lived for many good years.  Traffic was at a standstill, even on the back roads, and we finally got near Zoe's, when we were stopped trying to cross 421.  Then we saw all the flashing lights and there he was again in the big black bus.  The President was coming by, again, and we just happened to be there!  It was quite a thrill!

During lunch we talked about "what if he stopped there for barbecue".  I just heard on the news that he stopped at a barbecue place in Marion around noon.  We were on the right track, but off just a little bit. 

Matthew Fox at Jubilee! last Sunday was a very special treat, as it was his work as a theologian and as Howard Hanger's mentor that helped Jubilee! become a reality. 

Life is good!  Thanks for stopping by!