Covered Bridge

Elkmont, Alabama

Weather: low 36 degrees, high 72 degrees, early frost, clear skies

The temperature didn't get quite as cold last night, but it was still cold enough for frost. It was also cold enough to make for good sleeping. We love this weather!

We got up a little later than normal, but that was fine, since we were still tired from all our adventures over the last few days. By the I had some breakfast and Carolyn had her usual leisurely coffee, it was almost 0930 hours. About that time, I decided to take another walk on the walking path that I walked on yesterday. This time, I decided to go south toward Elkmont. Here's what the trail looks like going south.



As I was walking today, the trail reminded me of the Natchez Trace Parkway. Woods on each side, limited access, quiet, beautiful.

As I wrote yesterday, the route for the trail follows an old railroad bed. All of the railroad stuff was removed, and then the state built the trail. There is even a covered bridge across a creek on the trail. The railroad had a bridge across the creek, which they removed. The state used some of the original stonework for the covered bridge they put in.



Some of the original stonework can be seen in this next picture.



By the time I got back home, I had walked a little more than three miles. It's not a hard walk, but seems to take longer than normal because the route is so scenic, and I spend some time looking.

After lunch, we decided to take another trip up the road a few miles to Ardmore. We wanted to do some more exploring, and get to know that area a little better. By the time we left there, I think we must have gone up and down every street in the town, as well as some of the roads outside town. this is a nice area that we will be looking at some more.

By the time we got home, we were ready to stay at home for the rest of the day. I extended our stay here, and may do it again. That's how much we like it here.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Dallas, Texas: America’s Favorite City

Not all who wander are lost.

Ardmore, Alabama/Tennessee

Elkmont, Alabama

Weather: low 30 degrees, high 62 degrees, clear skies

Brrrr! It was cold when we got up this morning. We saw the first frost for the fall for us. Even colder weather is expected here about the middle of next week.

Once the weather warmed up a little, we decided to take a ride up to Ardmore. This little town spreads across the state line between Alabama and Tennessee, and is located in a beautiful rural area. The town has a population of about 3000 people, and seems to have a little growth going on. We drove around town, checking out what all was there. It looks like a town that would be good for raising a family.

When we left Ardmore, we headed northwest to Elkton, an even smaller town in Tennessee. There's not much in Elkton, so we didn't look around much while we were there.

The countryside around these little towns is mostly farming country, with rolling hills, pasture, and a few houses scattered around. With the fall colors, it was a nice ride.

By the time we left Elkton, both of us were getting a little tired. We have been busy the last few days, so we decided to go home for the rest of the day. Besides, I wanted to make sure I was home to watch the Florida versus Georgia college football game. More on that later.

Once we got home, I rested for about an hour. I still had some time before the football game started, so I decided to take a walk on the walking path that runs outside the RV park. This is one of the nicest walking paths that I have used. It starts in Elkmont, and used to go all the way to Pulaski, Tennessee, which was about 25 miles. Over time, the path has been trimmed back in length because of landowners' concerns. At this time, it is about ten miles long. At one time, the route was used as a railroad bed. When the railroad abandoned the roadway, the state built the walking path. Here's what it looks like.



The path is composed of crushed rock, and winds through the countryside and woods. Very nice. I did about three miles on it, and it was basically level and smooth.

By the time I returned home, it was almost time for the football game to start. Florida has been suffering through a three game losing streak, while Georgia had won their last three games. The score went back and forth with Georgia making a big push in the second half to tie the game in regulation play, 31 to 31. Florida kicked a field goal in overtime to win the game 34 to 31. Both teams played well, and it was one of those games where both teams deserved to win.

While I was watching the football game, Carolyn prepared spaghetti for supper. Good stuff!

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Chattanooga, Tennessee: Dynamo Of Dixie

Not all who wander are lost.

Remembrances

Elkmont, Alabama

Weather: low 36 degrees, high 63 degrees, clear skies

We had another great weather day, which seems to have been the norm since we left Florida. The weather folks are forecasting a low of 32 degrees on Saturday morning. Carolyn likes cold weather, so she is ecstatic. I like cool weather, but not the cold so much. Oh, well. If it makes her happy.......

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, we lived here for five years back in the 1980s. At one time, we thought we would retire here, but as is the case many times, we were fortunate enough to be offered a job with much more opportunity in Texas. Prior to leaving Alabama, we had built a new home that we thought would be the last one for us. We went by that house today, and it still looks good to us.



While we were out, we were impressed by the amount of fall color that we saw. It's not as plentiful as what we saw in Tennessee, but it's not anything to put down.





We're always on the watch for neat old cars. Check this one out.



We visited with my sister Judy and her husband Roger today, and it was great seeing them again. Roger is older than me, which I never get tired of telling him. He has been fighting cancer for several years, so he's been through quite a bit. But, he is older than me. By the way, Judy is younger than me. Here's a picture of the handsome couple.



After our visit with Judy and Roger, we made plans to meet for supper at a local restaurant. We came home to rest after another short jaunt down memory lane. About a half hour before we were going to leave for supper, we got a call from Roger letting us know that Judy was a little under the weather, and they wouldn't be able to go out. We're sorry she was sick, but we'll make up for it another time.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Madison, Alabama: Alabama’s Virtual City

Not all who wander are lost.

Moving Day

Elkmont, Alabama

Weather: low 65 degrees in Heiskell, Tennessee, high 70 degrees in Elkmont, Alabama, clear skies

When we got up this morning, we were undecided as to whether we would leave Heiskell or not. As the morning went on and we heard people hooking up and leaving, the hitch itch bug got to us. By 0930 hours, we were pulling out of the SKP's Raccoon Valley RV Park.

Our route was also decided this morning. When looking at the routes that would get us to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, we saw that we could go west on I-40, which was toward Nashville. We saw that we wouldn't have to go all the way to Nashville, but could take I-840 west of Nashville, which would get us over to I-65, and a direct route into north Alabama. That route would also give us a chance to stop in Athens, Alabama to visit my sister Judy and her husband Roger.

Normally, we wouldn't want to take the interstate highways. However, we felt traffic would be fairly light once we got away from Knoxville, and it was. In addition, we had been as far west as Cookeville on that highway, so we would have a chance to see the lay of the land west of Cookeville, even if it was on the interstate.

Since we hadn't decided to leave by bed time last night, I hadn't bought fuel. We had enough to get to Crossville, so we stopped there at the Pilot truck stop. The regular fuel islands were too small for us to pull the RV into, so we had to get into line with the big trucks to buy diesel. While we were there, we picked up some sandwiches for lunch, which we ate while rolling down the road.

As I said, we hadn't been past Cookeville, so everything after there was new for us. I have to say we enjoyed the trip, seeing new countryside that's a little different from the land around Knoxville. The countryside we were in today was more rolling than anything, which we seemed to like better. We saw different types of trees than what we saw in Knoxville and that area, but the leaf changes were not as numerous. Many of the leaves had already fallen. Still, it was a nice drive, and we're glad we went that way.

Eventually, we made it to Elkmont, Alabama, where we decided to stay a few days at Mill Creek RV Park, a Passport America park. The park is a little remote, but has several pluses that makes it work for us. Quiet, big spaces, excellent wifi service, and we can get a pretty good television signal with either the roof top antenna or satellite dish. And, they have a great area for walking. What more could we ask for?

By the time we were set up and settled in, it was getting too late to go see Judy and Roger. We'll see them tomorrow, along with doing some other stuff we have in mind. We lived in this area for five years back in the 1980s, and always enjoy coming back.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Lebanon, Tennessee: Cedar City

Not all who wande rare lost.

Rain, No Wind

Heiskell, Texas

Weather: low 64 degrees, high 72 degrees, mostly cloudy to partly cloudy skies, rain early

The threatened rain came in last night, and it rained hard at times. Fortunately, the winds that the forecasters had been talking about all day yesterday failed to show up, so it was a peaceful night. There was probably a couple of inches of rain, but that's fine. We don't like the wind.

The rain continued until about 0900 hours this morning, and threatened more until about 1100 hours. Eventually, it looked like things were getting better, so I took the clothes to the laundry and got something productive completed by washing four loads of clothes. You would think we wouldn't have that many clothes to wash in a little more than a week, but I also had to do some bedding. The laundry here at the campground has good machines at a reasonable price, so if it is available (not covered up with people), I try to use it.

I think by now that everyone knows Carolyn suffers from vertigo that can strike at the worse times, so I tend to be the one that washes the laundry. That doesn't mean Carolyn gets a free ride, because believe me, she would rather do it herself. However, we have learned certain things we can do to accommodate her vertigo problem, and this laundry thing is one of them. Besides, I don't mind doing it.

While I was at the laundry, Carolyn was doing some house cleaning that she does when I'm not under foot. It's was what she calls her deep cleaning, so it's probably best that I'm not around when she's doing that.

By the time we were finished with our individual chores, it was lunch time, which consisted of leftovers from Cheddar's, the great restaurant we went to last night. Have I said lately that I like leftovers?

After lunch, talked a little about when we're leaving here. Eventually, we need to work our way southwest to Texas so we can see doctors and dentists for our checkups. So, decisions need to be made on that.

Carolyn spent some time catching up her genealogy stuff while I was taking care of some meditation. Later on, I had to go to the WalMart Mall for a couple of things, which got me out of the RV while she was preparing supper. I got home just as everything was ready to sit down and eat. Carolyn says I have a finely tuned sense of when it's time to eat.

Oh, one more thing before I close: the winds that were threatened didn't hit us, so there are still a lot of leaves on the trees. Maybe we'll get out for some more leaf peeping before we leave.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Las Vegas, Nevada: Sin City

Not all who wander are lost.

Cheddar's

Heiskell, Tennessee

Weather: low 65 degrees, high 82 degrees, cloudy, windy, light showers

All day, we have been hearing about bad weather coming toward us. In the forecast are high winds, heavy rain, and everything that goes with the event. We've been waiting for it, but so far, it's a non-event. Could it be that the local forecasters take every opportunity to up the viewership of their television shows? It reminds me a little bit of the idiots we see that go to the worse weather they can find in a hurricane and stand out in the wind and rain reporting. I'm not saying that bad weather won't hit here, but if it doesn't, the credibility of the forecasters will take a hit.

If the wind does blow like they say it will, there won't be any leaves left on the trees. Our next door neighbors were up in the Smoky Mountains Park yesterday, and they said there were no leaves left on the trees above 3000 feet.

It was time to have the transmission serviced on the truck, so I spent some time trying to remember where I had it done up here last year. I was pleased with the work the garage did last year, but couldn't remember the name of the garage. I had a general idea of where it was located, but not how to get there. Does that make any sense??

Eventually, I figured out which garage I used, and called to see when they could do the work. The manager told me to come on in and they would take care of the job. The fluid and filters were changed, and a good checkup of the transmission was performed. Scott, the manager of Alert Transmission, told me everything looked good. I'm glad that little task is finished. Our truck has 150,000 miles on it, and runs like a new one. There's no doubt that the regular maintenance we have performed is helping it continue to run well.

We met my brother Terrell and his wife Kathy, and their friend Judy, who is visiting from Florida, for supper. We don't know much about eating places in the area, so they suggested Cheddar's, a nice place in Alcoa. Wow, what good food. And it was priced right, too. When the food was served, I thought for a minute that I was back in Texas. Heaping plates of food, delicious bread, and great salads. There was so much food that we brought home almost all of Carolyn's, and what was left on my plate filled a large carryout box. That's food the way I like it: plentiful, good tasting, and cheap. To top it off, the company was outstanding.

Terrell and Kathy have to go back to Texas on Saturday, as Kathy gets ready to undergo hip replacement surgery next week. She has been fighting cancer, and now this comes up. Tough lady, and we wish her all the best. We expect to see them next month when we're in Bay City.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - New York, New York: The City

Not all who wander are lost.

Carolyn Feels Better

Heiskell, Tennessee

Weather: low 58 degrees, high 68, mostly cloudy skies, occasional light showers after daylight

About 0400 hours this morning, heavy rain hit the RV park, lasting until about 0800 hours. Mixed in with the rain was a little hail, lightning, and thunder. After the main weather event was over, we had intermittent light showers off and on the rest of the day.

The weather impacted what we could do outside, but Carolyn had recovered somewhat from her latest bout with vertigo, so we decided to get out and at least make an attempt at doing something. We drove south on the interstate to the second exit down and browsed through a book store for an hour or so. Carolyn found a couple of things she has been looking for, while I found nothing that really caught my interest. It's a little hard for me to take a store seriously that advertises they sell used books, but the prices are almost as high as new books.

When we left the book store, we walked next door to a thrift store, continuing to look for some used books that might be of use to us. I didn't find anything, but Carolyn found another book, so it wasn't a waste of time.

By the the time we left the second store, it was time to start thinking about lunch. We don't know that area, but happened to see a Chili's sign, so we stopped there. I'm not usually a fan of Chili's, being able to take it or leave it. But, Carolyn likes the place, so it was good enough for me.

We very seldom get any appetizers, but broke down today and ordered the nachos. I was expecting something similar to what you can get in Texas: a plate of tortilla chips, smothered with cheese, beans, pico de gallo, jalapeno peppers, etc. Well, what we got today was not even close to what I expected. A plate was brought out with eight pieces of a tortilla, a little cheese, a small amount of pico de gallo, and some sour cream, with a few pieces of jalapeno pepper. Underwhelming, to say the least. But, the hamburger was very good. So the meal wasn't a complete bust. At least Carolyn enjoyed herself, and that makes me happy.

When lunch was finished, we took a short ride to enjoy the fall colors that seem to have exploded in the area over the last two days. Carolyn enjoys leaf peeping about as much as any sightseeing we do.

By the time we got back home, Carolyn was starting to feel the vertigo coming back, so it was a good thing that we stopped. Later in the afternoon, we drove up to Clinton and on over to Norris, where we went to the Monday farmer's market. By the time we left there, we had bought yellow squash, butter lettuce, radishes, and tomatoes. Looking forward to some good eating.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Hattiesburg, Mississippi: Birth Place Of Rock And Roll

Not all who wander are lost.