It’s a long drive from Asheville to Memphis so we went for a walk before leaving town.

And I saw my first pussy willows of the season. This is in a park along the French Broad River. I learned that the French Broad is the third oldest river in the world. And I never heard of it before. Go figure.

The Smoky Mountains were having the dreaded wintery mix, so I powered through to lower elevations before I stopped for gas and a bathroom.

When I got off the highway, I saw a sign that said “PetSafe Dog Park” and after de-watering myself, I followed the signs to what turned out to be headquarters of invisible fence and pet-toy maker PetSafe.

Next to the HQ, there’s a center for boarding and more, with a giant, beautiful, recently re-landscaped, dog park.

I very much admired the water fountain with a doggie level.

Lots of water to play in on warm summer days.

It’s narrow, but long.

And we were the only ones there. No managing Chico around other dogs, much easier for me.

That was our big excitement for the day. Other than the dog park, it was driving on I 40, and driving on I 40, and some more driving on I 40 mixed with rest-stop stops for both of us.

About 7 PM we arrived to a warm southern welcome from Deborah who had offered her guest room to me for a couple nights. Yummy supper and off to bed.

My day in Memphis consisted largely of laundry and blogging, but we did take a nice long walk in Overton Park, Memphis’ answer to Central or Wissahickon Park. On the way to the park, I noticed two places where edible brassica had been used as ornamental plants. Love it.

From a distance, I thought this to be the biggest ornamental kale I’d ever seen, but it’s red cabbage, like I grow in my garden for coleslaw.

And this kale, Eva grows this in her garden as an exotic kale.

So, a relaxing down-day in a polished, feminine, home full of Southern charm and hospitality; not a bad thing one week into a five or six week trip.

When this post goes up, Chico and I ought to be on our way across Arkansas to Plano, Texas where we’ll check in for two nights at a La Quinta Inn. On Sunday, we’ll be competing in a USDAA agility trial organized by Dallas Dog Sports. With luck, I’ll remember to find someone to record our runs and be able to share them with you by Monday or Tuesday.