There's Music in Them Hills of Brown

I had two great rides at Brown County State Park last week with Tania. We rode on Wednesday afternoon (3/15) and early on Saturday morning (3/18). On Wednesday we parked at the North Tower and rode North Tower loop. On Saturday we parked down below and rode up the connector and out around Aynes loop. The trail conditions were excellent. The creeks were still flowing strongly from the rains the weekend before. Riding Brown County was fantastic after this long, cold, wet winter. It was good to get back down into the "Little Smokies". It's always a feeling that captures my spirit. I've been listening to more and more bluegrass this winter, and it just seems to play in my head as I roll up, down, and around those hills. Pickin' and ridin' were meant to go together. I can almost hear old Bill Monroe and his boys playin just a few valleys north in Bean Blossom as my wheels roll over the dirt. I picked up a live recording of Bill's 7th Annual Bluegrass Festival from Bean Blossom in 1973. It was a recording that was released by MCA. It's available on iTunes, and it is some great, classic picking with tons of notable players. The crowd is quite lively. I wish I could beam back in time, go to the show, and then go for a ride. Since Bill is gone now, the iPod and conjurations of his ghost will have to suffice.