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

[Rick0714]

I find myself checking Montana scores every weekend, feel that Wyo will be added to that list. Another western US team with mutual Mountaineer respect. Maybe its the pioneer spirit, but though we each have wonderful institutions, its the people that make all the difference.

[IGgreer]

Thoroughly impressed by the number of Wyoming fans in attendance. Obviously, you have a great fanbase.