Going fishing with Daniel Boone

I met Daniel Boone this morning after breakfast (French Toast, Muffin, Fruit, Tea) at a picnic area near the Snowbird River. He was very nice, but did not wear a beaver hat the whole time we spend together. Somewhat disappointing! I told him about my great deal on last year's waders and he showed me his vest which was also last years model. The Fashion Police did not bother us and everything was good! Daniel gave me an all-day class on fly fishing, but told me that we would not catch anything today. Trout season had ended and the water was too warm for the trout. Also, the Hatchery stops adding trout in May and the only trout in there would be Wild Trout - and they are way too smart to be caught. I didn't really mind because to me, the point of the class was to get the basics, learning about the flies and the nymphs and how to use them, about rods and reels, and to have someone show me how to fly fish the right way. Daniel is very nice but he likes to talk. So from 9am until 5pm I listened to Daniel talk. A lot about fishing and quite a few wild fish stories. We had lunch together and he showed me his flies :). My lunch was Chicken Salad on Pita and fruit. Before, during, und after lunch, Daniel talked. I thought Fishermen were supposed to be quiet! We went back into the water and I caught a Wild Trout. It was very cool! Daniel was impressed and couldn't believe that I actually caught a Wild Trout! Beginners luck, I think. Around 5pm we finally got out of the water, changed shoes (and in my case, wrung out my socks!), and I went back to the Lodge for dinner. Daniel's wife Becky is the waitress at the Lodge and I told her all about the fly-fishing experience. Daniel had told me I deserved two desserts because I caught the fish, I told Becky and she really wanted to give me two! I was happy with one dessert, because there was so much food, I don't think I could have eaten another one. Dinner that evening was:

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Baby Arugula with Greek Vinaigrette, Roasted Red Peppers, Feta Cheese, Artichoke Hearts, Shaved Red Onions, Cucumbers, Cherry Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives

North Carolina Mountain Trout Almandine with Low Country Beurre Blanc, Creamy Mashed Red Bliss Potatoes, Sauteed Haricots Verts with White Wine Sauce

Mixed Berry Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream

I made it to the Snowbird Mountain Lodge!

Chilled Melon Soup with Stoney Hollow Farm Berry Puree

Snowbird's Green Goddess - Chopped Romaine Hearts in Creamy Green Goddess Dressing with Granny Smith Apples, Toasted Almonds, Kalamata Olives, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Shaved Red Onions, Garden Fresh Cucumbers

Snowbird's Chicken Breast Under a Brick with Pomegranate Reduction, Sweet Potato Spoon Break, Sauteed Haricots Verts

Mixed Berry Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream

Going on vacation - again!

Finally, it is time to go on vacation again! This morning the three of us had breakfast at the Village Inn and then Patrick and I left. I was driving him up to Tallahassee for his next set of summer classes at FSU. After I dropped him off (kicked out of the car probably describes it a bit better) I kept going north. I spend the night in Perry, GA because it is too far to drive through to NC. So I went to the newly renovated downtown area to walk around, but never actually got out of the car. Downtown Perry is empty, empty buildings for sale or rent and empty of people. It was sad, there is absolutely no life in downtown Perry. I had dinner at Zaxby's - my favorite fast food place!

Knit N Knibble's 6th Birthday Party

Stitches South

A Day in Atlanta

I couldn't go to Stitches today so it was a day of relaxation before the big day tomorrow. I spend the morning at Cumberland Mall, a place I had been to many times before when we lived here. The mall has been updated since the last time I was here and I really like it. As much as I can like a mall!

In the afternoon I met Libby at the Cast On Cottage in Roswell. We had not seen each other since last year when we met for Stiches and it was great to see her again. Libby wore a beautiful shawl and I just had to take a picture of her work.

Since the Ravelry Party was tonight Kari, Dale and I went to Scalini's for dinner beforehand. We went to the same restaurant last year and the food is really good!

After dinner we spend some time in their room before it was time to walk over to the Ravelry Party. We were early and just stood in line until they opened the door. We got our goodies, found a table, ate and drank and we had a good time.

At 9:30pm the Ravelry team had a price drawing, lots of goodies from the party's sponsors. I didn't win anything (can you imagine!) but Dale won a book. It was all very exciting and we had a great time. Lori and Paula had been to classes today and they got a sneek peek at the market and the vendors there. I can't wait until tomorrow when I can finally see all the yarn at the market!

Driving to Atlanta . . . Or: why did the turtle cross the Interstate?

After putting some clothes in a bag and getting a nice breakfast at the Village Inn I left Tampa at 9:45am. The drive was uneventful - except for the turtle who crossed the Interstate. Or at least she tried to cross the road, but let me tell you: she didn't make it. Well, at least not all of her. Neither did the dog, the deer or several racoons. There should be a WPO, a Wildlife Protection Officer, someone who could make sure all those critters could cross the Interstate safely. Although I have to confess that the reason for crossing the road in the first place is beyond my understanding. I looked over to the other side and let me tell you, the gras is NOT greener over there. So maybe somebody should let the critters know. Where is Dr. Doolittle when you need him?

On a lighter note: The Azaleas are in full bloom and they are beautiful. I took this picture at a rest area in Georgia. I think the cold winter did those plants a lot of good.


I did get into Atlanta just at the beginning of rush hour. I miss Atlanta, but do I miss rush hour traffic? Not so much!

I checked into the hotel, dropped my bags and drove out to Douglasville to meet friends for dinner. Traffic on I-20 out to Douglasville is always terrible, even at the best of times. I expected the drive to take about 45 minutes but today there was no traffic on I-20 W! Go figure! Not that I'm complaining, it just never happened before. When we lived here I had to drive this road every evening and every evening it was crowded, there was an accident or two and I was always happy to have survived another trip. But today there wasn't even a little fender bender, no back-up at all. I made it to the restaurant in record time. Sheila and Rose met me at Logan's Roadhouse and we had a fun dinner, catching up on all the news.

Because I didn't register for a class at Stitches I can't go to the market tomorrow. But that's okay, I think I'll sleep in and find some other things to do. This is Atlanta, I'm sure there is a yarn store to visit.