As I drove halfway across the country for the holidays, I took backroads. You all know how Stu and I love backroads! But traffic was heavy and the two-lane highway I was traveling seemed to always have 10 vehicles in front of me due to solid yellow lines on the roadway. Frustration set in. I had promised to be at my daughter’s on a certain day. “Why did I take THIS road?” I will NEVER get there! You know the feeling. Backroads shelter surprises and I should have known I would see some in Tennessee. All of a sudden, a sign appeared that said, “Scopes Trial Museum.” Whaaat? THE Scopes Trial? Nah,…
CADES COVE in TENNESSEE’S SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Following Cades Cove Loop Road in the Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee is like driving into a pastoral painting! This drive has been on our bucket list for many years. Friends have told us about the wildlife, the beauty and history of the road, but no description is adequate! WHY CADES COVE? One reason we wanted to visit Cades Cove is because wildlife of all kinds fills me with wonder and excitement. (I should clarify that all wildlife does not include snakes!) After I retired, I lived in a 400-square foot cabin in the North Carolina mountains. My cabin was across a dirt road from a bear sanctuary…
HOW TO TRACK Davy Crockett IN TENNESSEE
As seniors, we all grew up with Davy Crockett! (well, Fess Parker) He was brave enough to fight bears, courageous enough to tame the frontier and stood for always doing what is right. He was also a real American. This particular senior travel was meaningful to us because Davy is a childhood hero of ours. My brother and I actually had a Davy Crockett clubhouse in our backyard! We decided to track Davy Crockett through Tennessee to learn more about the man who preferred to be called David Crockett! HOW DO YOU TRACK Davy Crockett IN TENNESSEE? We tracked Davy to four locations in the state….
HOW TO FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF SGT. ALVIN C. YORK IN PALL MALL, TENNESSEE
We just HAD to follow the footsteps of Sgt. Alvin C. York in Pall Mall, Tennessee! We wanted to learn more and pay homage to Sgt. York-one of the most decorated American heroes of WWI. New generations of Americans became familiar with York through a 1940s biographical Hollywood movie, starring Gary Cooper. Gary Cooper won an Oscar for best actor for his portrayal of Sgt. York. York’s military service in WWI and the movie (made much later) made Alvin York a household name. For we seniors, Sgt. York’s story has been a part of our growing up years. So, who was Alvin C. York? YORK’S BACKGROUND Alvin C….