Hi Folks!
Allan here. We have at last arrived at folk1234's place. I am so very glad that moonchild caught you guys up on some of what went on there. I am not sure I will have time to come near to the kind of detail she supplied. The same goes for Kelly and for Áine. But I will try to fill in some blanks.

Bill and I went to see the 'gators after we left moonchild's. We wandered about in a glass-bottomed boat and saw (for you sci-fi fans,) the hole through which the "Creature From the Black Lagoon" emerged in the movie and the river and surrounding "jungle" which appeared in at least three of Tarzan's films. We saw a few 'gators and quite a few unusual birds. It was all so very beautiful!

The drive to New Orleans was marked by a visit with a couple who had visited "The Jug" only a couple of weeks before. Bill was excited to see them again. They directed us to a terrific route to N.O. which led us along the Gulf Coast. Bill and I had to stop and wet our feet in the waves.

Kelly should consider being a professional guide! She crammed so very many wonderful things into our brief time in New Orleans! We were happily stuffed and exhausted by the time we left.

This made our drive to Shreveport a bit arduous. We were both tired and elated. By about midnight that night we were sound asleep and so we missed out on the club Jed had recommended.

The next morning we headed for Greenville, Texas where we joined my aunt and uncle as they played a short gig for a nursing home there. It was special for me to be given the opportunity to perform in front of them. I hadn't seen them since about 1962.

Our stay in Dallas was relaxing. It was much needed. Nonetheless, we zipped around the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and took in some of the local countryside. (This is code for WE GOT LOST AGAIN!!) We had intended to stop by The Sons of Herman and were loaded up with our instruments and all. But we were just too tired to do it. Áine wasn't able to turn loose and join us until late last evening (about 9:30) so there wasn't really enough time to do justice to a visit to "The Quill". Instead, we opted to join her at a club near her home.

It was a very pleasant visit. I had the opportunity to introduce Bill to Texas-style nachos and then, when Áine arrived, the fun began. Áine is every bit as energetic and hilarious as she seems to be in her postings and her phone conversations on Mudcat Radio show.

There is so much more to share about the trip thus far - the great visit with the wonderfully talented harpgirl and a side trip in Ft. Worth. Perhaps another time. Right now, I want to go and play some music with folk1234.

Seeya!