MAY 14, 2004 – Candy, Niña and I arrived at Taylor’s Laid Back Pickin, which is south of Mountain View, Arkansas and is about 4 hours worth of VW travel from Memphis; travel which took us through some beautiful country, including Bald Knob, AR.

I was camping on the grounds in my Westy. So I whipped up some broiled chicken and beef patties with all the fixings. Be it ever so humble…

Laid Back Pickin also has cabins and an auditorium. On Friday night the entertainment included John Taylor’s string band. There was even some clogging performed by the locals. And the dance floor was open for us to demonstrate our 2-step dance skills like nobody’s business. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Saturday morning I hitched a ride into town with Tom & Joan in their like-new VW Bug. I had a great breakfast at the Rainbow Grill with my fellow Vdubbers, Dr. Sarah, Aben, Steve, Tom & Joan. Of course, what would breakfast with friends be without sharing some stories? There were some whoppers. I guess Steve topped them with his story about his 200 chickens.

Well, at some point, we remembered there was a VW show. Everything started on time and included 40+ entries. After some thorough judging, it was time for the awards ceremony, which was held inside the auditorium.

Dr. Sarah, Mark C., and I all trophied in our respective classes.

I also ran into Lester G. and his wife who were on hand. We exchanged thoughts of times and persons of past.

The girls (Niña & Candy) and I did not stay for the caravan scheduled for Sunday. However, we had a beautiful drive back to Memphis.

Where else can you enter a VW show for $15 and receive entry registration, a T-shirt, dinner and 15 million dollar companionships?