Americore! and MUUUUSIIIIIC

And IN WALKS IN THE MORAN CLANN!! Chris' parents and younger brother flew in last week; it was so nice seeing them. They helped out the team for a day of HARD volunteering and they impressed everyone with their determination. And one of them stuck behind to finish the trip with us!!! Mikey the Mule Moran has decided ...to join us on the last 1000 miles of our trip!

The week spent with Americore helping out flood victims was tough! Hats off to these guys for all their hard work. A normal day started around 6:30 with around the house chores and loading up the trucks with tools. Everyone ate breakfast and packed lunch just to run out the door to get to work. We spent most of our ...time gutting out rotted houses and clearing debris. The day lasted till around 6pm usually where everyone met back at the house for a team meeting that usually lasted between 30 minutes and an hour. By the time we showered and ate dinner it was time to get to sleep and start it all over the next day!

Amazingly our week was filled with fun! Chris and got to spend two great days off with the team. The first day we went to a park and enjoyed frisbee, BAGGO!, and floating down the river. On the second day off most of the team went into Nashville to enjoy the music and see the sights. Myself, Slim Sadie and Renee st...uck behind at Harmony Landing Retreat for a day of relaxtion. We layed in the grass and enjoyed the sun. Then we went for a hike to the river and kayaked upstream about two miles, just to fall asleep and float back down - one of the most relaxing and peaceful days of my life.

MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC! Tennesee is filled with it! The most amazing jam session I have ever seen was at "The Red Tree Coffee House" in Kingston Springs, TN. The team travelled over there for a fundraiser party and it turned into an all out dance party! We danced to Victor Wooden on the bass, Eric Strutter on the guitar..., Patrick (from the band WAR) on the harmonica, a sax, a box drum and three amazing voices. As if that wasnt enough we made our way to a late night "picking party" where we listened to Chris Spiegel and friends pick away at their bangos and mandolins.....unreal.

Mikeys first day riding with us yesterday and we did 55 miles. He got two flats. It reminded me of our first days riding and how frustrating it was. Im glad hes on the trip with us, its new and fresh and it adds a whole new dynamic to it. Last night we stayed with a great couple named Eileen and Chris in Murfreesbo...ro, TN. Eileen made us an excellent dinner last night and a pancake breakfast this morning so we ar emore than ready to ride on to BONNAROO!! Although we signed up to volunteer there and they accepted us, we recieved a message yesterday saying that we missed the cut-off. WHATT!! We are riding down anyway and we wont take no for an answer. The line-up this year is incredible!