Monday 31st October
After breakfast motored a short distance to the North Carolina Arboretum - www.ncarboretum.org - good time of year for tree colours. Spent all morning here looking at the various gardens and especially the new bonsai exhibits, I'll have to try that some day. Took a hike through the woods to their greenhouses, very pleasant in the autumn sunshine, beautiful sunny day with blue skies, temperature probably about 70 deg F. Then motored again along scenic routes in South West NC mountains, stopping for lunch at Burnsville. Carried on along winding roads to Boone, NC, where we are currently in a motel for the night, and just about to go out to a sports bar called 'The Library'.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Update from Asheville, N. Carolina
Fri 28th Oct
Before leaving Nashville we visited the Opryland resort - just to look. What an amazing place!! www.gaylordopryland.com When we were there we got the distinct impression that the Air Force were trying to spend the defence budget on their own - some sort of convention or something like that.
Headed off east on the scenic route mainly US70 until we eventually ended up at Sevierville for the night.
Sat 29th Oct
This was the last open day at Dollywood before they closed down to put up the holiday decorations. So we had to go didn't we?? We really enjoyed a full day there, riding on the roller coasters, a trip on a steam train, and listened to a Bluegrass concert Yee-Hah.
It was a lovely sunny day but quite cool mid 50's I think.
Stayed overnight in Pigeon Forge.
Sun 30th Oct
Spent most of today visiting the Smoky Mountains NP. Beautiful day and great scenery, but too many cars and people for the narrow roads. In that sense it is a bit like the Lake District in the UK. We took the scenic tour out and around Cade's Cove.
Then headed over the Smoky's, through Cherokee and ended up just outside Asheville for the night.
Before leaving Nashville we visited the Opryland resort - just to look. What an amazing place!! www.gaylordopryland.com When we were there we got the distinct impression that the Air Force were trying to spend the defence budget on their own - some sort of convention or something like that.
Headed off east on the scenic route mainly US70 until we eventually ended up at Sevierville for the night.
Sat 29th Oct
This was the last open day at Dollywood before they closed down to put up the holiday decorations. So we had to go didn't we?? We really enjoyed a full day there, riding on the roller coasters, a trip on a steam train, and listened to a Bluegrass concert Yee-Hah.
It was a lovely sunny day but quite cool mid 50's I think.
Stayed overnight in Pigeon Forge.
Sun 30th Oct
Spent most of today visiting the Smoky Mountains NP. Beautiful day and great scenery, but too many cars and people for the narrow roads. In that sense it is a bit like the Lake District in the UK. We took the scenic tour out and around Cade's Cove.
Then headed over the Smoky's, through Cherokee and ended up just outside Asheville for the night.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Update from Nashville, Tennessee
Wed 26th Oct
After overnighting in Jackson, Tennessee, continued east. Made a sidetrip to visit the Civil War battlefield at Shiloh. Very interesting, watched a video followed by a 9 mile self-guided drive around the battlefield.. Lunched in Savannah - Subway as usual, and then continued on to Chattanooga for the night.
Thurs 27th Oct
In the morning we visited the Tennessee Valley railroad/museum and took a short ride on their train www.tvrail.com
Met up with Dave for lunch - really good to see him again.
After lunch called in at Hertz to report a slow puncture on the car. Really friendly and helpful service - ended up with a new car same model etc., so went happily on our way.
Visited Chattanooga Choo Choo in the afternoon, which is a series of tourist attractions in and around the old Chattanooga rail station.
Then took the Inclined Railway to the top of Lookout Mountain - said to be the steepest in the world 72% www.LookoutMtnAttractions.com wonderful views over the city from the top.
Then drove up to Nashville, checked into a hotel in the city centre. went out in the vening to sample the music atmosphere. Amazing!! Seems like everyshop frount down Broadway is a bar with a live band.
Went to the Wildhorse saloon for drinks, food and music www.wildhorsesaloon.com
After overnighting in Jackson, Tennessee, continued east. Made a sidetrip to visit the Civil War battlefield at Shiloh. Very interesting, watched a video followed by a 9 mile self-guided drive around the battlefield.. Lunched in Savannah - Subway as usual, and then continued on to Chattanooga for the night.
Thurs 27th Oct
In the morning we visited the Tennessee Valley railroad/museum and took a short ride on their train www.tvrail.com
Met up with Dave for lunch - really good to see him again.
After lunch called in at Hertz to report a slow puncture on the car. Really friendly and helpful service - ended up with a new car same model etc., so went happily on our way.
Visited Chattanooga Choo Choo in the afternoon, which is a series of tourist attractions in and around the old Chattanooga rail station.
Then took the Inclined Railway to the top of Lookout Mountain - said to be the steepest in the world 72% www.LookoutMtnAttractions.com wonderful views over the city from the top.
Then drove up to Nashville, checked into a hotel in the city centre. went out in the vening to sample the music atmosphere. Amazing!! Seems like everyshop frount down Broadway is a bar with a live band.
Went to the Wildhorse saloon for drinks, food and music www.wildhorsesaloon.com
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Update from Memphis, Tennessee
Mon 24th Oct
Left Branson and headed South on the Arkansas state highway 14. Lots of rolling hills, fields and trees, very picturesque Ozark country. Went through Buffalo National Forest area, mixed broadleafed with a few conifers. Stopped at place called Mountain View for sarnie - they are having a Bean Fest next weekend, lots of cooking and eating of beans: the mind boggles, seems like a good place not to be! Continued SW to West Memphis, Arkansas, where we stayed overnight beside a very noisy highway. Luckily we had a room in the back.
Tue 25th Oct
Headed East and into Memphis, Tennessee. After brief visit to tourist center, continued to pay homage to the King at Graceland, a must. Saw everything there was to see. Seems like a nice lad!
Just popped in to the library to check email and write this. Going to look for a big cup of coffee now.
Left Branson and headed South on the Arkansas state highway 14. Lots of rolling hills, fields and trees, very picturesque Ozark country. Went through Buffalo National Forest area, mixed broadleafed with a few conifers. Stopped at place called Mountain View for sarnie - they are having a Bean Fest next weekend, lots of cooking and eating of beans: the mind boggles, seems like a good place not to be! Continued SW to West Memphis, Arkansas, where we stayed overnight beside a very noisy highway. Luckily we had a room in the back.
Tue 25th Oct
Headed East and into Memphis, Tennessee. After brief visit to tourist center, continued to pay homage to the King at Graceland, a must. Saw everything there was to see. Seems like a nice lad!
Just popped in to the library to check email and write this. Going to look for a big cup of coffee now.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Update from Branson, Missouri
Sat 22nd Oct
Left Dodge City after making a photo-op of Wyatt Earp's statue. Continued on US56, taking a side trip to Fort Larned which is a former military fort on the Santa Fe trail now restored by the NPS.
Carried on through Kansas. Very level wheat fields, feed lots for cattle etc. Vast open spaces with a clumpo trees, a water tower and grain silos every 10 miles or so. We've got nothing like that at home.
The roads were so straight and flat that we are able to cover enormous distances. As a consequence we are getting ahead of schedule giving is more time than expected to get back to VA. So we have changed our plans and will be deviating from the US50 southwards.
Ended the day at Emporia, Kansas. Booked into the Best Western along with a number of High School Soccer teams. There is a soccer festival in Emporia.
Sun 23rd Oct
Failed to find anywhere to watch NUFC vs SAFC so had to wait until after the game to phone home for the result. WE WON!! made my day.
After scraping the morning ice off the car (first this trip) continued along side roads into Missouri. S/W Missouri is very attractive scenery. We eventually ended the day at Branson. Have only driven through it so far but it gives the impression of being a smaller version of Las Vegas/Dollywood. We shall find out this evening.
Left Dodge City after making a photo-op of Wyatt Earp's statue. Continued on US56, taking a side trip to Fort Larned which is a former military fort on the Santa Fe trail now restored by the NPS.
Carried on through Kansas. Very level wheat fields, feed lots for cattle etc. Vast open spaces with a clumpo trees, a water tower and grain silos every 10 miles or so. We've got nothing like that at home.
The roads were so straight and flat that we are able to cover enormous distances. As a consequence we are getting ahead of schedule giving is more time than expected to get back to VA. So we have changed our plans and will be deviating from the US50 southwards.
Ended the day at Emporia, Kansas. Booked into the Best Western along with a number of High School Soccer teams. There is a soccer festival in Emporia.
Sun 23rd Oct
Failed to find anywhere to watch NUFC vs SAFC so had to wait until after the game to phone home for the result. WE WON!! made my day.
After scraping the morning ice off the car (first this trip) continued along side roads into Missouri. S/W Missouri is very attractive scenery. We eventually ended the day at Branson. Have only driven through it so far but it gives the impression of being a smaller version of Las Vegas/Dollywood. We shall find out this evening.
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