American Press Travel News–September 26th, Gatlinburg, TN.-“Bob and Barb Stopping to Smell the Roses” and ” On the Road Again.” So, here we are are in Gatlinburg. My sons, grand children and me and Barb. We are staying at a big log rental home and doing the rounds of Dollywood, Alpine tracking, mini golf, a walk through a really well done Titanic Museum, and stuff grand kids and Brian & his Professor wife, Diane like to do. This is a great opportunity for getting together for fun and reunification of family!!
View of Norris Dam and Norris Lake impoundment. The lake holds all manner of fish including giant catfish and striped bass so popular with trailer boaters from around the state of TN. and beyond.
AmericanPressTravelNews,-Norris Dam and Lenoir Museum Complex-Bob & Barb “On the -the Road Again”-Dams, always impressive as they are massive and hold-back river torrents. Dam’s also create power for power. Dam’s by holding back constant flows also calm and deepen waters creating lakes. Norris Lake is today a drawer for thousands of boaters and anglers, swimmers and kayakers, and lakes create real estate values. Seems that a view of the woods, compared to a view and access to a body of clean, beautiful water has no comparison in the price of a building lot. Water views trump em all!
Standing at the overlook parking area, at Norris Dam State Park made us think how this dam as many others around America beside being very impressive had opened up beautiful recreational opportunities for so many as well as creating power for so many families as well. We thoroughly enjoyed and were impressed with our stopover here! Go: www.tnstateparks.com/parks/about/norris-dam
Housing all manner of early American artifacts, tools, and agricultural and ground working implements from an age before our Industrial age (hand forged and crafted woods and metals, not manufactured and stamped out in factories) the Lenoir Museum is a repository of these items from early families of the Appalachian region now long gone on to heaven.A mill house that was saved and is in the State Park system. Probably more photographed than any other stop-over with the exception of the Norris Dam.Mark Morgan State Park Ranger showed us around the Lenoir Museum and the incredible music piece with marching soldiers and figurines from the 1840’s. www.tnstateparks.com/parks/about/norris-dam Runoff from the stream that turned the mill at the mill house grain grinding site.
Trapped with no way out, 197 miners and several young boys ran out of air. Many wrote letters that can be seen at the museum. But I warn you, when you visit the letters are heart rending!Upon entering you will meet some wonderful and dedicated folks that are always willing to share their knowledge about the coal mining disaster and the history of the leasing program that was defeated!
AmericanPressTravelNews-May 22nd, Rocky Top, TN.-Bob and Barb “On the Road Again” and “Stopping to Smell the Roses” this time at the Coal Creek Miners Museum-The Museum tells the story of the miners that lived, worked and died in Coal Creek, Fraterville and Briceville TN> The museum also tells about the historically important events that changed the mining industry. The story starts in the late 1800’s when the “free” miners fought against the convict lease system, a struggle that ultimately ended the system in this southern state. The story goes on to depict how these communities not only survived one mining disaster but two that killed almost every man in the community along with many young boys who were taken to work by their fathers. Say hi to Sandee or Boomer (in picture with T-shirts) Visit when you can:located at Militia Hill, Circle Cemetary in Rocky Top; 201 S. Main St. Rocky Top, TN.www.coalcreekminersmuseum.com
Next door to the museum is where we did barbeque brisket at the Coal Creek Smokehouse BBQ. Very friendly accommodating folks all the way around!
Fishermen’s Village has the best candy and chocolate shop, ever! The Village was all dressed up in their holiday lights and “festive” is the word! We loved it!
APtravelnews-Dec. 19th,-Bob and Barb writing from Fishermen’s Village, Punta Gorda, FL.–Its really hard to say anything else then; Barb and I really loved this place. So many animated and excited folks-from children to old timers really having a ball, looking at the lighting, meeting Santa, tasting chocolates, buying gifts, visiting a real Military Museum with hero Veterans talking about past wars and their recollections and through it all; friendly shop-keepers and visitors! We ate seafoods, destroyed sumptious desserts, a few cocktails and after dinner libations as well. We stopped to listen to chorals of the season, popped into the Village Fish Market (www.village-fish-market.com) for the aforementioned seafoods such as the ubiquitous shrimp done many ways, crab cakes, scallops, fish dishes, delicious’ too! Our dinner was hosted by owner Sue Randall.
We ended off the evening with a Christmas Canal Cruise through Punta Gorda’s canals with the Kingfisher Fleets excursion boat loaded with all kinds of appetizers-we sure do travel on our stomachs too! www.kingfisherfleet.com Stay tuned! Much more coming of our trip to Punta Gorda! Go for some great info: www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com
Scallops and very tasty side dishes we all love! Fabulous meals all around!The Military Museum had wonderful Veterans who we stand with anytime of the year, described the realities of their times in past war theaters!The way it used to be. Local Indians coming in to trade in the “Islands” depicted in this giant mural at Fishermen’s Village! The old mingled nicely with the new!The whole town and dozens of waterfront homes seen on a Kingfisher Charter, all decked out in Christmas Lights WOW’d everyone in the Holiday frame of mind!Tasting goodies at the Simply Sweet, A Confectionary Cafe’. Homemade fudge, flavored popcorn, a great sweet note that we experienced and will not forget! https.//facebook.com/simplysweetaconfectionarycafe
American Press Travel News–September 26th, Gatlinburg, TN.-“Bob and Barb Stopping to Smell the Roses” and ” On the Road Again.” So, here we are are in Gatlinburg. My sons, grand children and me and Barb. We are staying at a big log rental home and doing the rounds of Dollywood, Alpine tracking, mini golf, a walk through a really well done Titanic Museum, and stuff grand kids and Brian & his Professor wife, Diane like to do. This is a great opportunity for getting together for fun and reunification of family!!
