Fisk University-Nashville, Tennessee

Today in Nashville was as beautiful a day as one could hope for - beautiful blue skies, cool temperatures, the leaves on the trees starting to change. Our family spent the morning together gathering pecans in our backyard. They're everywhere this year and delicious.

We spent part of the afternoon visiting the Fisk University campus with the goal of seeing the Stieglitz collection at the Carl Van Vechten Gallery on campus. The Gallery recently re-opened after a lengthy closure. The collection, a gift from Georgia O'Keefe in the 1940's, contains works by Renoir, Picasso, Cezanne, Stieglitz photographs and more.



The most famous painting of the collection is Georgia O'Keefe's Radiator Building at Night - New York, 1927. The school has been offered 25 million dollars for this work.



It was a joyful afternoon spent at the Fisk campus. It is fall break, so we nearly had the place to ourselves. The Carl Van Vechten Gallery was a refreshing, renewing place for my mind and spirit. It is a true treasure in Nashville.

Philadelphia-New Jersey

Above: The clock tower of Independence Hall

I rode the bus with Big Daddy Weave to Collingswood, NJ, just outside of Camden, NJ and Philadelphia, PA. Every visit I've made to New Jersey confirms why it is called the Garden State. The variety of beautful trees alone could keep my attention all day. The old Scottish Rite Temple in Collingswood is a grand place that is like a step back in time - old theatre seats, stained glass windows, a dramatic arch over the stage. Even the dressing room make-up chairs with their leather upholstery, ornate cast foot and head rests and white porcelin arms are large antiques from another era. It will make a wonderful venue for the show tonight.

After the show, I get to visit the greatest convenience store ever - the Wawa. They have great food here. My personal favorite is the jalapeno cheese filled pretzel. It sounds crazy, but it is amazing. It's definitely worth a visit if you're in Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

The next day before my flight, I get a chance to visit Philadelphia. I've been once very briefly, but didn't get to really see some sights. I've wanted to come here for a while.

My primary destination is Independence Hall. Seeing where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Constitution debated is quite a sight. The tour guide was outstanding. It felt like a theatre presentation.

I walked around the surrounding areas taking in what I could in the few hours I had, places like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution and the Liberty Bell. What an experience. I'm so glad I finally made it here.

Georgia: Peachtree City

I'm headed to Peachtree City, GA for a show. I've driven down I-24 this way several times before, but today may be the prettiest drive I remember. The leaves are just starting to change. It's hard to find more natural beauty than middle and southeastern Tennessee and northern Georgia. Gorgeous. The drive across Nickajack Lake never fails to bring a sense of awe of the beauty here.

I spend the night at the Hampton Inn just outside of Peachtree City. The beds are especially nice at Hampton Inns, making for a good night's sleep. I wake up to a nice sunrise and get a few hours work done while I have this quiet time.

I was going to gas up last night, but I couldn't find a single station anywhere that had gasoline. I start driving back and hope that I'll find a gas station along the way. I drive all the way to Calhoun, GA, stop for a Five Guys Burgers and Fries lunch and a tea from Starbucks and figure there should be gas here. Still nothing! I drive all the way to Manchester, TN before finding fuel. Crazy.

What an enjoyable drive this weekend - to enjoy this beauty, listen to music, think. Time well spent.

Texas: The Alamo-Amarillo

I got to spend most of the weekend with Superchick in New Braunfels, TX and Amarillo, TX. I arrived a little early in San Antonio and stopped by the Alamo. I've never been there before. There was a lot more to it than I knew. I'm glad I went.

I walked down to the Riverwalk across the street to grab some lunch. I looked over a few places and picked Boudro's. I ordered this lobster with empanada that was fabulous.

I punched in the address to the Superchick show and headed to New Braunfels. The GPS overshot it by about ten miles. It must have been meant to be, though. It took me to the biggest outlet mall I've ever seen in San Marcos, TX. I actually was needing to buy some clothes - no, really! After a little shopping, I headed to see Superchick. Again, what nice people here.

I headed home for thirty-six hours, then reconnected with Superchick in Amarillo. I've never been to Amarillo before. It reminds me a little of Kansas - long golden plains and a lot of good looking steak houses along the road. This sounds boring by now, but more wonderful people. They're what really make Texas a great experience.

Alabama-Tennessee-Kentucky

I'm making a three day run through Birmingham, AL, Humboldt, TN, and Murray, KY. The Birmingham folks are wonderful as usual. The show tonight is at the Alabama Theatre for the Performing Arts. It is absolutely beautiful, a real treasure preserved by the people of Birmingham.

The people in Humboldt, TN are the definition of southern hospitality. They couldn't be more giving. I get to shoot hoops with Jay against the guys from Rush of Fools. Big fun.

We hit Murray, KY in the middle of the night. I wake up in my bunk thinking someone is shoving the bus back and forth. In reality, it is high winds, remnants from Hurricane Ike, I guess. Looking out the window onto the Walmart parking lot where we're parked, an unmanned, high-speed shopping cart race powered by the driving wind is in progress. Shopping carts are traveling at high speed down the hill, then crashing into the curb. Fortunately, none hit the bus or any cars.

Uganda - more photos

A few more photos from Uganda.



This is the airstrip at the nature preserve:

Air traffic control here:

Waiting for the planes to arrive:


Our guide Henry:


It's an interesting contrast between the massive grace of the elephants and the delicate movement of the monkeys: