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Tag Archives: boats

Diary of a Half-Back Lifestyle

A model Florida Crawfish aka, lobster.

Miss Kitty, my favorite farm member. Now gone!!

American Press Travel News—3/29/2021—Bob and Barb “On the Road Again”—-Why do we travel half way back to our old home, VT, to TN., from Southern Florida? Summers in Florida are humid. With my deviated septum (partially blocked nostril) I have a hard time breathing in heavy humidity. So, when the cooler  winter and spring breezes, with their lesser humidity devolve into more summer-like conditions, even starting from the first day of spring, we head for the hills of TN.. In Florida we eat seafood, in TN. its beef, chicken and garden vegetables. Fishing in Florida its sea fishes, in TN. its crappie and trout, and our favorite walleye pike. I can breathe in TN., and love the cool breezes throughout spring, summer and fall.

We live on a small farm at about 2000-feet above sea level. When the summer heats up all around our plateau, we are 8-10 degrees cooler than all the other areas, cities and towns, and just about every night is a no-AC needed event.

As an author, I find it easier to work at our farm in TN. than in Florida. Florida has too many things going on, and this causes me to divert, and avert my time from putting finger tips to keys.  However, the Keys is truly a paradise for a fisherman, like me. With boating, searching for marlin and dolphin fish, the schools of tuna, the occasional wahoo, I get lost in the Gulf Stream of life. My preference these days is to sight fish for permit, bonefish, seatrout, snook, and redfish inshore, in quiet waters.

My sons David and Brian were brought up in the Keys, and were my nearly constant companion on my favorite boat “The Shalom.” That is until their fancy turned to girls and cars. We gathered our own shrimp and saltwater crawfish called Florida Lobster ( I still prefer the real northern- waters kind, with succulent claws and tail).   Today, my sons have a fine boat that they own and enjoy, I have my farm and when I can visit the Keys to be with my boys and their life’s experiences!  STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER!!!!!!

Historical Trolley Tours 29 Points of Interest

American Press Travel News–December 30th,-Islamorada, Florida Keys-Bob and Barb “On The Road Again.” Great tours are ready if you are. We took the tour and learned and enjoyed seeing the Matecumbe’s like a native.  Highly recommended.

Curt Gowdy and President Bush out fishing with Bob Epstein (Credit Bob T. Epstein for image)

 

 

Whitestone Inn, an Inn One Step Above

Giants swim just off the docks at Watts Bar Lake’s Whitestone Inn.

American Press Travel News–July 2018, When Paul and Jean Cowell founded the Whitestone Inn in Paint Rock, TN, as a Bed and Breakfast in 1997, they introduced a delightful and desirous destination place to the rural natural area, not far from Kingston, Knoxville and more than 1000-restaurants and other services. (Just watched Lee and Denise Boggs on Knoxville, TV. They really explained just what their great plans are)

Over the past 10-years, Barb and I visited the Inn and always came away wishing we could stay longer than our reservations called for. This true refresher of the soul, offered us, and their discerning visitors, a peace rarely found at any other accommodation we’ve experienced in our many visits to other resorts and B&B’s across the USA. 

We’ve found that unlike any other resort, and large quality accommodation destination vacation spot, the B & B is a true reflection of the owners- a more intimate, personal experience made excellent, or just so-so, based on the personalities and attitudes of the owners, and their staff as well. 

Put your pin on your TN. map at Kingston for the Whitestone Inn.

Recently Lee & Denise Boggs of Living Waters Ministry in Hiddenite, NC, along with Dean & Debbie Winegardner of Knoxville, have purchased Whitestone Inn and property. The Boggs are operating the Inn and plan to carry on the legacy established by the Cowells. We really enjoyed the laid-back, yet very professional new manager/owner Lee Boggs. He was extremely motivated to make every guest feel right at home at the Whitestone. The new owner’s goals are for Whitestone to continue being a “sanctuary for the soul”— a safe haven where folks can come for a time of rest and refreshment-a “recreation” that puts the real meaning in recreating oneself. They certainly are continuing to provide a great B&B (and much more) experience based on our several visits over the years.

Located on the Watts Bar Lake, surrounded by a protected bird and wildlife sanctuary, Whitestone provides breathtaking views and sunrises and an abundance of wildlife. Deer are seen regularly, as well as wild turkey, and they have a large blueberry patch that guests can pick from to their heart’s content.

With well trained, friendly, motivated staff and 23 beautifully decorated, comfortable suites, great food prepared with love by their professional chefs, comfort is assured. 

There are a multitude of recreational opportunities: hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, frisbee golf, shuffle board, horseshoes, tennis courts, pool, ping pong and a fitness room are always available. Even spa services are offered by a licensed, experienced massage therapist. Romantic carriage rides are a favorite with the guests (we loved it). 

This is a great place for individuals, couples, families, church groups, or corporate retreats, meetings, and events. They can accommodate events of up to 200 people in the spacious and elegant Lion & Lamb Banquet Hall. This place in time and space is a Premier Wedding Venue; Whitestone offers a variety of wedding options and packages ranging from large weddings to even elopements for two. Whitestone also has a variety of venues – the beautiful wedding chapel, a choice of two gazebos, lakeside, by the barn, in the field on a hilltop overlooking a pristine pond, or even in the woods. 

While Whitestone desires to provide a premier getaway B&B, there is a far greater purpose for which Whitestone exists. Since its inception, Whitestone has provided a getaway for missionaries and their families who were on furlough from their assignments abroad. Through the generous donations of Whitestone supporters, they have been able to do this at a greatly reduced price or for no charge at all if necessary.  As they move forward, Lee & Denise plan to continue the missionary care as well as increase the care for Pastors and their families.

Lucious Omelets made right in front of you!
Crab cakes for dinner, fish such as Cod, salmon! We had terrific dinners here!

Get in touch for an very unique experience in Eastern Tennessee: call 865-376-0113 or Google Whitestone Inn, Kingston, TN.

Food Glorious Food, Travel Writers “Roll” on Their Stomachs

Golden Girls Restaurant in Clinton famous for “Broasted Chicken.”
Our deck overlooking Norris Lake at Pinnacle Point. What a view!
Deans Restaurant & Bakery in Oak Ridge. Ribs, steaks, chickens.

AmericanPressTravelNews-May 20th,-Bob & Barb “On the Road Again”-Anderson County, Clinton, & Oak Ridge, TN.-Besides enjoying a great condo experience on Norris Lake, at Pinnacle Point with “Vacations on the Water” , we also had to eat didn’t we? So Our first day in Clinton we we headed for dinner at Golden Girls Restaurant (Barbs favorite sitcom)  with the rooster outside. Great veggies, chopped steak with grilled onions the way we like them and plenty of good rolls, as opposed to nasty rolls just out of the micro. Before dinner I fished the morning with Guide Scott Manning described in a previous post as very professional and a great big catfish finder. Then it was home to lunch at Hoskins 1940’s Soda Fountain (as previously reported in last weeks post) for a malted and a tuna sandwich, um, um good. A bit later we visited the Appalachian Arts and Crafts Center. We love crafts; talented people who learned by trial and error to make all manner of wood, ceramic and woven items that just plain fit as gifts and as home-ware.  The next evening we drove over to Oak Ridge and met Mark De Rose & Ray Smith from Oakridge Visitors and Explore Oak Ridge.  We had dinner at Dean’s Restaurant & Bakery for some ribs and specials. Oak Ridge as we posted a few days back is a terrific place to visit. Museums and a true more modern America will be your host here. You know, and feel that history was made here that changed the course of human destiny. This is the place the nuclear age was born! Go: www.exploreoakridge.com and check out dean’s at: www.deansrestaurantand bakery.com

NOTE* Stay tuned more coming about Anderson County.

Hoskins 1940’s Soda Fountain after lunch time!

 

 

 

Catfish-big ones hang in the current bottoms of the Clinch River.