Back from Appalachia!

[PikesPeakPoke]

Returned home last night from a fantastic eight-day trip to Tennessee and the mountains of North Carolina. I can tell you straight out that the geography books that I learned from growing up in Wyoming didn't prepare me for the beautiful countryside we experienced throughout our trip. Even Hurricane Joaquin could do little to mask the beauty of Boone and the surrounding areas.

Of course this topographical beauty was only exceeded by the people we met. From the number of you that provided us with great advice on this message board, to those who chatted with us on the streets or in the stores and restaurants, to those who just said "hello" or thanked us for visiting. Great folks, all.

Prior to our visit, y'all provided us with so many good recommendations, we simply didn't have the time to experience everyone of them, but what we did experience was all well worth it:
1. Eating/Drinking: We had a successful UW Alumni function at Lost Province Brewing (16 states represented). Their dark honey ale was my favorite. We met 250-300 Poke fans at River Street Ale House for a pre-game party. We had very good meals at both the Sunrise Grille and Woodlands BBQ, but no meal was better than the one we had Friday evening with one of App States finest families. The graciousness and warm hospitality shown by this family in asking us to break bread with them was so very representative of all the good people we met in Boone. Thanks Steve - you and yours are just darn good folks.

2. Sites: We made it out to Mast General Store (and annex). Although I'm not much of a shopper (Ms. PPP handles that just fine), as a building contractor, I found the structures themselves to be plenty interesting. Based on the fog and rain on Sunday morning, we found the BRP closed at Grandfather Mountain. We will definitely have to come back to experience those. We did get to Asheville and the Biltmore House was everything y'all said it would be. Spent six hours there and wished we had twelve.

Now, for those of you who tried to tell us not to bother with Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.....................I wish you would have tried a little harder. All I can say is "Wow, how many miniature golf courses and pancake restaurants does one need?" The highlight here (as suggested) was the distilleries, Who knew my wife, who won't touch whiskey of any kind, would be so taken with shine? I think you may have started that Steve!

GSMNP was everything everyone said it would be and all the sites in and around Nashville were a lot of fun. We capped it all off Tuesday evening with the Grand Ol' Opry and yesterday morning at the Jack Daniels Distillery. Note: Toting several jars of shine and the take from Lynchburg can make your luggage weigh more than 50 pounds! Oh well, a fee well worth it.

All in all it was a great time and we owe a lotof that to you folks. Thanks again. Your return on this is that you've created a couple of closet App State fans. Georgia State this week right? Go Mountaineers!

The Pokes have Air Force this week - our second most bitter rivalry (since BYU got uppity and left the conference). This is one, I think we can win. There's never been much love lost between these to schools - they hate us, we hate them. Kinda like ASU and Stink!

Best of luck to all of you and one last time - thanks,

GIVE EM HELL WYO!
GIVE EM HELL MOUNTAINEERS!

ppp

[YesAppCan]

PPP, I know Steve P. very well and he mentioned to me how great you folks were.. I hate I missed meeting you. Wish weather had been better but do take time to come back sometime. Look forward to meeting you in WYO!

Steve G

[DaphneUrquhart]

Glad your home safely and enjoyed the journey. I enjoyed meeting a few WYO fans after the game - all gracious and just plain friendly. We really were trying our best to wish the sunshine in for the game. Sorry we didn't wish hard enough.

Know that you're always welcome on this side of the country. Looking forward to a trip to Laramie for more App - WYO football.

[eggers76]

Great meeting you and your wife at Lost Province and glad you had a great time. I look forward to visiting you folks one day.

[appstate1998]

Enjoyed meeting you in the music lot, PPP. Steve is one of the finest representatives of App Nation and I am honored to tailgate in the same lot as him. So glad to hear you enjoyed your time in the High Country! Come back soon.

[App74]

Terry: Thanks for the kind words. I'm happy to hear you are home safely and your trip out this way was pleasant. It was a blessing indeed having you and Laurie visit with us Friday night. What a pleasure it was talking with you and getting to know each other. Our group talked of your friendliness, open personalities and taking the "risk" of visiting an unknown someone like me.

To be perfectly honest, I kinda, sorta expected you to ride in on a stallion but understand the weather necessitated your travel take place in a Volkswagen.

Thank you for the Wyoming snake bite medicine you left with me Saturday morning. I have it sitting in a prominent area of my house as a reminder of you (and in the event of a snake bite). And tell Laurie what she had Friday night is called apple pie. We use it for medicinal purposes only........

You'll hear from us before the rematch. We try to visit our son and his wife in Colorado each year. I'll be keeping up with the Cowboys from this point on and this past weekend will always put a smile on my face. God bless.

[WVAppsfan]

Thanks for the follow up. Sorry about the rain, but your team was fun to watch. I do mean that, We never get to see teams from the West down South. Your new coach will turn the program around give it time.