Well, you might want to check out northern Arkansas. Mountain View is a hotbed of folk activity and there is canoeing in the area as well, and the Ozarks. You'd probably get a chance to visit with Dale if you visit Mt. View and take part in the community music events. If you're there on May 15, you can see me as well. We're planning to go down for the Thumbpicking Championships. There should be a lot great pickers.

Of course if your path takes you through Iowa, we'd be pleased to have you visit. A couple of weekly jams, some canoing on the Maquoketa, Turkey and Upper Iowa rivers. No mountains around here but the area around northeast Iowa is very hilly, wooded and beautiful. Wonderful views overlooking the Mississippi around McGregor and Prairie Duchene. Close to a lot of canoing in Wisconsin and near enough to Madison so there's access to culture.

I'll give this some more thought.

      - Mark