A bit of traveling.

By plane:

Nashville to Houston to Portland to Houston to New Orleans to Houston to Nashville.

Total:

Sparta to Nashville to Houston to Portland to Zigzag to Portland to Houston to New Orleans to Hammond to Baton Rouge to New Orleans to Houston to Nashville to Sparta to Cookeville.

Whew...I suppose I've done a bit of traveling recently. After a relaxing Christmas, I had a few weeks off before starting my new job, so I decided to visit some family I hadn't seen in a while.

First stop: Oregon

My uncle and aunt have a beautiful cabin up in the mountains close to a little town called Zigzag, and my dad, bro, and I headed up there to enjoy the peaceful serenity of falling snow and bright green trees. We spent some time snowshoeing, hiking, and skiing. I was pleased to discover that I still know how to ski...it had been over 10 years, but it was just like riding a bike, ha ha.

I played at an open mic night and my uncle backed me up on bass guitar. Always fun to play music in a new environment! We also had a chance to visit with my cousin, her husband, and two kids...loved seeing them and meeting Kai and sweet Waverly for the first time. :-)

Second stop: Louisiana

Though over half my family is from Louisiana, I hadn't been there to visit them in over 10 years (sad, I know). I figured it was high time for a visit, so I stopped there for a few days after Oregon!

I had a chance to tour LSU (one of my possible grad school choices) and visit with my family. I loved seeing all of them and meeting my new cousin Blake! Such a happy baby!

More music was played and recorded...I haven't figured out how to put that up, yet, but as soon I do, you'll hear it!

All in all, it was a great trip. It's been a while since I was able to travel, and of course, I remembered how much I loved traveling. Sometimes I don't even want to come home ha ha. There's just something about the thrill of seeing new things and creating new experiences. My spirit tends to become restless when I'm in one place for too long.

New job starts tomorrow...good things are happening. :-)

Peace and love,

Amelia

P.S. Check out a clip of my uncle and I playing "Hot Coffee and Turbulence" at the Skyway Bar and Grill here... http://www.youtube.com/user/amtritico.