Our last day in Tennessee, we went to the Tennessee Valley Railroad and rode an old steam train. I wasn't sure if it would be awesome or lame but it was actually REALLY exciting. It was so fun to see kids getting really excited about it, but also just fun. The turntable was my favorite part. I didn't realize that's how trains turn around. It was really exciting and apparently, back in the day, it took 4 men. I loved it. We then had lunch in downtown Chattanooga and had ice cream at Clumpies (so good) The downtown is adorable. They had this like water walk for kids, and the Chattanooga Choo Choo song was solded into the sidewalk. Really cool We then drove back to atlanta and flew home from there. I'm home now and so thankful for such a fun trip and a great book tour for Don Dreams And I Dream. I was happy to have such a great turnout at the four readings, and happy to meet local poets and hear them read. I had a great time w Anna, Ellen,& Amber. Anna and I were really lucky. Every little whim we took, turned into a great adventire... It was just great, and I loved all the cities and towns we visited down south. I have my favorites, but not writing them. So thankful for it all....

We had dinner at Family wash which was amazing. Best shepherds pie. Most adorable place and live music, naturally. Just magical Nashville is like all those music venues I love on the lower east side of nyc but more magical & more awesome

Today is day 4. We went to Jackson used books in Athens then hit the road for Asheville. We had lunch in greenville, sc which was adorable. We ate at this little French bistro on the edge of the reeds river falls. It was soo beautiful. We also got ice cream at Spill The Beans and it was awesome. They have two flavors, choc and vanilla. You pick one and a toping and they spin it into soft serve in a cone!!! Then, we drove through the mountains to Marshall, NC, where Anna's friends live. I drove. It was very hilly and the weather kept changing between rain, downpourings and sunshine. We made it to the mountains, the Appalachians, to the house and its amazing. Its on the mountain. It was the scariest hill I ever drove up. It didn't stop. We had dinner in, and took a walk to this old cemetery that had a rope swing. It overlooked the mountains. It was scary but really fun and relaxing. Then we spent the night talking about ghosts and ancestry. It was fun. Tomorrow, we explore Asheville, and then I read at night at Nightbell.

so, today we went to the atlanta historical center which was awesome. It was in this giant park/forest and on the property, was a huge mansion, very Great Gatsby, from the 20's, called Swan House. It was so beautiful and had a sweet maple smell, which was odd. My favorite room was the mrs' dressing room, and this lovely pale blue kitchen. Of course, it was very downtown abbey. Also, apparently mockingjay was filmed there recently. (Hunger games) We had lunch in the Swan coach house, which was very southern belle like, with all the ladies-who-lunch and it was just perfect. We had tea sandwiches and this awesome strawberry butter and well, tea. We also went to this old 1800 farm house on the property. Very nice but also creepy as they had slave quarters. There were these four cats, too, and one little grey one followed us. Then, we went to the margaret mitchell house and it was awesome. I LOVE "Gone With The Wind, "(book and movie) & we learned a lot We met up w my friend, Bruce Covey (of coconut books) for dinner at Slice and Pints , and the other readers, like our friend sarah marcus, and it was delish. Sarah and I, being bad jews, had swine pie. Delicious. The reading, what's new in poetry, at Emory bookstore was small but great. I read with three other poets, incl matt mauch and alexandra naughton. My friend Erica Wright came too, which made me happy. Bruce is wonderful and I loved hanging out with him. He's become a good friend and I'm happy I'll see him In July when he reads for couplet. Oh we also went to Atlanta cupcake factory, which was adorable. Odd to Athens today....

First off, when did LaGuardia Airport become minority report? Everything is a charging station or do it yourself ipad ordering. Freaked me out and I love technology. Got into Atlanta and met Anna at baggage claim. Of course my flight was delayed on the runway, but I fell asleep and was startled to see that when I woke up, a half hour later, we were still on the runway. Anna texted me from baggage claim (she met me from LA) and we got our first taste of the south. She said,"these football players asked me to take their picture and called me maam. Southerners are charming. " We picked up our rental car and drove to our hotel. Had a bite at a local bar from the 1950s. Tomorrow: High Museum, Margaret Mitchell House & my first reading... so happy to see Anna!!