Pigeon Forge and Chattanooga, TN

Training at the track

Bathing the horse

Horseradish

Tobacco hanging to dry

Sunday morning we got up bright and early and went to have breakfast at the racetrack, Keeneland, where we were able to watch some race horses training on the track.  We then did some touring of the countryside.  Some crops were harvested - such as the tobacco as it was hanging to dry in the buildings, and some crops were still growing such as the horse radish.  After spending a couple more days touring around Lexington, Kentucky, it is time to move on.  It is very beautiful in this area.  However, the drive south is equally as beautiful.  We took the interstate (something we
seldom do) and again, the scenery was incredible - ups and downs - across rivers and valleys. 




The opening scene of the show

We arrived in Pigeon Forge, TN and plan to spend several days.  We went down to the Island which is a variety of shops, some live music, and water fountains in tune to music.  Everywhere there are rocking chairs so one can relax and enjoy the scenery or sights - entertainment for seniors I'm guessing.  Actually, many places have rocking chairs - they want you to relax all the time.



Since Dollywood is a theme/amusement park we decided to forgo going there.  We did, however, go to the Dixie Stampede which is part of Dolly Parton's entertainment group.  It was the new Christmas show and involved various kinds of acts but lots  of great music.  There was a segment of trick riding which was amazing.  How some of those riders stay on their horse is beyond me.  One of the segments had a large platform drop down and it was a nativity scene.  Then came a shepherd with a herd of goats, followed by the three wise men on camels.  When you looked up at one end of the arena there was an angel with huge wings, in mid-air.  As this segment came to a close, the platform rose up, the angels wings folded and up she rose.  Unfortunately, I was able to take very few pictures as the lighting was always too low.  Most that pictures I did take was just a blur. 

After moonshine  tasting

There is an enormous factory outlet mall which we decided to walk around.  I say walk as that was all we did - bought nothing.  The funny part was that we went into a Corelle store to buy a couple of plates.  When I saw the price I changed my mind.  On our way home, we decided to stop at Walmart - bought the plates I wanted for less than half the price of the outlet mall - makes a person wonder.  While at the mall we went into a moonshine store to do some sampling (yes, even I tried some).  The rule is that while you are sampling you have to leave your ID on the counter.  The fellow picked up ID and said  "Sask At Chew Wan" and the folks across from us said "Hey, we're from Saskatoon".  How interesting since there were only about eight of us in the place.  I must admit that the taste of the moonshine is certainly different from what I remember!

Lovers Leap

Next stop - Chattanooga, Tennessee.  We drove up Lookout Mountain for some fantastic views.  Then off to downtown to see the Chattanooga Choo Choo. The old train station is a huge hotel and many of the train cars have been converted to other uses - restaurant, gift store, but many have become guest rooms.  Lookout Mountain was our next stop which was quite significant during the American Civil War.  I am quite surprised as how many people live at the top and daily traverse the narrow winding roads.  We took the Incline Railroad which has a 72.7% grade and it goes one mile up the mountain.  On the way up (and down) you can actually view the city below through the skylights on the top of the car.  It really is a neat ride.

Then we toured Rock City which is a combination of trails and caves and massive ancient rock formations.  The cave portion was Fairyland caverns with many displays which the kids seemed to thoroughly enjoyed.  And there was Lovers Leap which provides some amazing views.  There was also Fat Man Squeeze which I went around - it looked too narrow and too dark and too far.  While Gerry went and said it was nothing, I found another way!!

Last week someone mentioned that once Halloween was over, it was time to get ready for Christmas.  Well, on Nov. 1 as we were driving down the highway, we turned on the radio and sure enough, Christmas carols.  As much as I love hearing the carols, this is still a little too early for me.  But all the decorations are out and many are already up - the lighting is very soon in many areas. 

Tomorrow it's time for us to move - hope you have a great week!! For some reason my published blog looks nothing like my draft - I have no idea why my pictures are scattered and the text is broken.  I will work on it this week and perhaps by next weekend, the look will be completely different.   On occasion we will see some interesting signs so thought I would add a couple.

Made it to Kentucky

We spent Saturday night in Fairfield, NE and then spent part of Sunday touring around.  We

stopped in the tiny town of Deweese, NE where on of Gerry's ancestors lived and worked - he wondered if the old elevator in the town was one of the ones he had owned.  Of course no one in the town knew but that was likely in the late 1800's.  People were incredibly friendly - we talked to one fellow about some history, so he called his mom, who found an  edition of an old  history book, and then she set out to find us (which she did).  That was so nice.

A very old bale picker-upper

Later in the day we hit the road and stopped at Marysville, KS and found a terrific little campground, full hookups, for free.   It is a quaint town with many brick streets, and the first station on the Pony Express route.   Around the park there are numerous benches which are all brushed aluminum with a name and design cut in the back.  As we walked around town, we took some pictures, when we were stopped to see where we were from - another very pleasant meeting.  We were told to stay until the weekend as they were having a celebration of the black squirrels.  Apparently Marysville is one of just a couple of town in the United States that have this particular type of black squirrel and the are certainly plentiful in the park.


As we drive the roads, it is hard not to notice they farmyards.  Every single yard is neat, and every one has all the grass nicely mowed - often acres of it.  Harvest is in full swing - a lot of corn although we are starting to see more soybeans.

We cross the Mississippi River into Illinois where we camp down by the river in an area

Love the tree colours

provided by the Army Corps of Engineers.  While it is very basic - just an area to park the scene looking across the river is very pretty.  We watched the barges moving up and down the river - no idea what they were hauling.  Not only were goods being moved by barge, but also by train as we found out throughout the night.  You know how trains tend to blow their whistles at crossings, well the crossing must have been twenty miles wide.

Next stop is Flora, IL at the Charley Brown campground.  The name made us want to stop and see the campground.  It is part of quite a large park which was great for taking a walk.  What a great night - absolute quiet which was such a treat from the many trains from the night before.

An old town

Next stop - Walmart in Newburgh, IN.  Online ordering is very popular here as a steady stream of customers pulled up to pick up their groceries.  Here they bring your order out to you.  This town is the home of SMI manufacturing where we had an appointment to have the brake system from our old motorhome installed.  While the installation was being done, we went for a walk along the Ohio River. We noticed an elderly fellow bend down to pick up something.  Having just come by there and we hadn't seen anything we had to go and see.  It was under a pecan tree so we filled our pockets with pecans.  We met a local couple and stopped to chat with them.  They say everyone has a twin and I think we met my sister-in-law's sister's twin - Eleanor's sister Doreen.  This gal looked like her (although shorter), talked like her, and had the same mannerisms - how interesting.

Notice the black fences!!

On to Lexington, KY.  Once we found the campground (thank you GPS for taking us in circles and telling us to turn at non-existent roads), the first thing we notice is the lack of white fences.  I thought all the fences were white but not what we have seen so far - they are black.  We are camped at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground which is a state park - a very nice campground and right next door to the horse park where we have just spent the last couple of days.  While most of the horses are thoroughbreds and retired race horses, they have quite a variety of horses on display and in demonstrations.  This weekend there actually were three events being held that were competitions of these retired horses.   Many are retrained to compete in dressage and jumping competitions.  There is a huge indoor arena where we spent most of this afternoon watching the following competitions: hunter class, competitive trail, open class, barrel racing, polo, jumping class, working class - and that isn't all of the different competitions being held.

 The left shows how graceful the horse is when jumping.  The right shows the horse that doesn't want to jump, and off the rider goes.

A couple of horses that have quite a history.  One was used by the gypsies, and the other during medieval times.

 Then there was the miniature pony that was being ridden by the headless horseman!!  There even was a chance for the kids to practise their jumping skills

 Thank goodness for the use of the horse - it sure made things easier for us women.  Also a  competition of the working class.





On the left was part of the open class - the horse was dancing to music.  And then Gerry decided to enter the competition - could find the right class.

We have really enjoyed our visit to the Kentucky Horse Park.  Now it is time to tour some of the other places in the area plus we need to take a drive out into the county.  And one must not forget a tour or two of the bourbon distilleries that are in the area.

Have a great week and I hope you will be back next week!!