Clinton, TN

October 23, 2020

We drove to Clinton, TN from Cherokee, NC

The hills were beautifully painted in reds, yellow, orange and green. 

Once settled into our site, Jim worked on the solar connection

so that the sun can recharge our battery if we boondock.

Boondock - to camp without electric or water hook-ups.

October 24, 2020

Today we went to the Museum of Appalachia

"The Museum of Appalachia is a living history museum; a pioneer mountain farm-village that lends voice to the people of Southern Appalachia through the artifacts and stories they left behind. Founded in 1969 by John Rice Irwin, the Museum is now a non-profit organization, and a Smithsonian Affiliate museum."

It was also Fall Harvest weekend, so there was pumpkin painting, 

sassafras tea making, sheep shearing, and tractor rides.

It's an eclectic place with lots to see.

This was a favorite of mine, a child toy made out of scraps,

note the adhesive tape dispenser rear wheels.

Then there was this funeral wagon.

Not real curtains but carved wood.

The casket can be viewed thru the glass sides.

When I first saw this lone peacock

I thought odd, they have a peacock here

Then while walking around we realized they have a 

dozen peacocks roaming the grounds here.

Do you think you could live in one room?

It actually looked doable 

not desirable, but doable.

With my former neighbor, Dani in mind,

I couldn't help but include this

Barn Loom

Dani, I know you have room for your loom in the new house

but have you considered a barn for a larger loom

on the property?

This Snail Trail pattern made on a loom

caught Jim's attention.

Challenge Dani, can you recreate this pattern?

Jim could use a fancy new handkerchief.

Lots of cabins on the property showing how people lived.  

One belonged to Mark Twain's parents, one was Daniel Boone's.

Also barns, corn cribs, schoolhouse, church.

This cabin had a handsome fireplace

Note the trundle bed in the sleeping side.

Neither bed seems to have a comfy mattress.

A Medicine Show Wagon

I bet this had lots of cure all tonics . . 

and music.

The old grist mill is not yet rehabbed which gave it

a Halloween like vibe.

The Z stabilizer on the door in back caught my eye.

As did this gentlemen with his replica

first Ford gas engine.  He was in the field with

tractors from the past. 

Overall we really enjoyed the Museum of Appalachia

it gives one a warm feeling for all the people 

who lived in this area of Tennessee.

And this afternoon . . .

Notre Dame vs Pitt

GO IRISH !

October 25, 2020

Thanks for all of the birthday greetings. 

We went to church via YouTube and then headed to 

Norris Dam State Park for a birthday walk in the woods.

It rained overnight so the trail was covered in wet leaves, colorful but wet.

Norris Lake was a clear green,

the trees were dappled in red, orange, yellow and green.

.

The shoreline was orange, and not just because of the season

but the beach was orange.

The trail may have been called Lake View,

but as you can see there was a covering of trees 

between the lake and the trail.

I couldn't help but notice these exceptionally large leaves,

they dwarf all those around them.

A little carrot cake from Wal-Mart to celebrate my birthday.

And it did double duty as a baby shower treat as well today

as we celebrated Alura & Ryne's future baby.

Thanks also to my three kids who also set up a Zoom call 

so I could chat with all my kids and grandkids today.

And at dinner time we headed out to Habaneros III 

a short walk from the campsite for dinner.

Closed on Sunday.

Well that was a surprise.

So we walked back to the campsite

got in the truck and drove 1.5 miles to 

La Sierra Mexican Restaurant

surprise, also closed on Sunday.

So, off to Harrison's a 2.3 mile drive

Success, it's open

it has a mason jar margarita

and a delicous chicken strawberry pecan salad.

Another good day.