Going on a road trip

WHEN? Anytime

WHERE? Near Colorado Springs, Colorado

We have traveled in Colorado, but that was back in 2005 before we began this blog, and we're not sure why we haven't traveled to this well-known destination in person because it's right here in America. In fact, Wendell took his basic training in the Army near this location that can be seen from Denver, Colorado on a clear day. They call it America’s Mountain. You had probably already guessed it was Pikes Peak, hadn't you?

Now, all you need to do is click on O Beautiful and start the video for your armchair ride to the top of the mountain.

After you've done that, you might want to refresh your memory of the words written by Katharine Lee Bates.

America the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thorough fare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.

America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.

America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.

America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.

This version of the song does not include all the verses, but I sure do like it:

Ray Charles does America the Beautiful

Elk Crossing

WHEN? Nov 27 -- not in person - by armchair

WHERE? Drake, Colorado

We're still waiting for a good sighting in person of either an elk or a moose. Until then, this will do just fine. Notice how a few of the elk slip because it's an icy spot.

Brent Burns at LuLuS

WHEN? Monday · November 16

WHERE? Gulf Shores, Alabama · find us on the map

VENUE? LuLu'S at Homeport Marina

Not long ago, we were sitting around a fire at Driftwood RV Park when a discussion about going to LuLu's to see Brent Burns came about because of some recent RVers who were staying there. We had been meaning to see him perform ever since we came down in January of 2008, so we decided to join them on November 9th, but Tropical Storm Ida caused us to postpone seeing him. This evening, we finally did get to gather at LuLu's for an enjoyable evening of entertainment.

This was our second visit. We posted about the first one on February 2 at LuLuS.

The owners of the RV park and five of their residents sat at a table close to the stage and we sat at the bar. Brent Burns sounds just like his many recordings, available on seven CDs. I believe it was the Alabama or Gulf Coast tourism people who provided us with three of his songs along with their literature. So we were already familiar with Livin' the Life, Perpetual Vacation and Down in Paradise.

Brent Burns is a well-known singer-songwriter who received the 2008 Trop Rock Music Award for Entertainer Of The Year. You'll likely find his biography interesting reading.

By visiting Brent's website, we learned a lot about him, including the fact that he is a newlywed, having married in October.

You can check out our photos on Flickr by clicking on Brent Burns at LuLu’S.

Got in on a First

WHEN? Saturday · November 14

WHERE? Bon Secour, Alabama


We arrived at the 1st Annual Bon Secour Oyster and Wine Festival in the mood to party and were not disappointed! Along with the afternoon's gorgeous weather, here's just some of what we were treated to -- and for only $10 a person.

• All the oysters, wine and beer we wanted.
• Live music, including local bands Smokey and the Iguanas and The Buds, who played from a flatbed truck trailer.
• One of the booths we visited was Shucker's Oyster Bar at the Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama. We were familiar with them because Shucker's also has a location on Ross Barnett Reservoir just outside of Jackson, Mississippi. Wendell was pleased to see that their chef was wearing a Mississippi State cap like he was. Their oysters were very good!

We haven't yet learned the results of the oyster competition that was to give a Grand Prize of $1,000 and a People’s Choice award of $500. Spearheaded and organized by the Wine Liberation Society and The Tin Top Restaurant and Oyster Bar, this festival is expected to be an annual event from here on out. We saw a number of friends while we were there, and since festival news travels fast around here, chances are good we'll see lots more next year.