Enjoying Land Between the Lakes

Joe and I got up early and headed for Kuttawa Ky. I had read in one of our pamphlets about a Bar-B-Q cookoff there. So off we went. It was a nice drive.
On the way there we passed Lighthouse Landing, so loving lighthouses like I do of course I had to stop and take a few pictures.





When we got there it was on the banks of Barkley Lake. The cookoff was sponsored by Early Times Whiskey and they all so were sponsoring a fishing tournament. Here a picture of their boat they had there.



We walked around the area looking at all the vendors and smelling all that barbeque cooking on all the smokers. We were ready to eat, but we had to wait until 11:00. The judges were judging the food. Joe and I asked at the tasting booth, if we could be a judge. But get this, you have to go to school to be a taste tester (Judge). I never knew that. Oh well. So we walked around some more and finally we were able to buy our lunch. Here is a picture of our pulled pork sandwich plate. You got a sandwich and 2 sides for 5.00. Not to bad.



We took out lunch to the car and drove off to find a picnic area. But we decided to bring it home and eat it there. When we got home I had part of my lunch, Joe went to take a nap and I went to the Nature Station. They charge 4.00 a person. Which is not bad. They give you a map and send you out back to see all the animals. I saw coyote's, fallow deer, white tail deer, wild turkeys, bob cats, vultures, owls, hawks, snakes, fish, turtles, red wolves, opossums, and two of my favorites, eagles and hummingbirds.







These are such amazing little birds. I love to sit and watch them fight over the feeders, they are so territorial.

After supper we headed for the Elk & Bison Prairie to see if we could see any wildlife. We drove around for ever and finally decided that we had got there to early. Finally we saw a herd of elk.



We also saw two big elk bulls.



And finally we saw some Buffalo and Wild Turkeys.





After we got our fill of wildlife we to the Planetarium to watch a show about the planets.

Waiting for the rain to stop

My commitment to the Escapees is finally over and we can return to traveling. As we say vacation mode. My time was up on Saturday and we left Racoon Valley Rv Park and headed to Cumberland Gap National Park. We wanted to be close to the family so that we could say goodbye and spend a few days with them.

Jenelle is finally into her new house



and she says that it is haunted. We told her that it is just settleing. She started college at the University of Tennessee yesterday. So now she is a new home owner, worker and a student. That makes me tired just saying it. We all helped load up her stuff and transfer it to the new house. Here is Miss Jaelynn waiting at the trailer for the first load.




We have been doing a few errands and spending time with the family. Miss Jaelynn makes us smile and laugh, all the funny faces that she makes. And be careful because anything that you say she repeats. To funny.



Joe got his new toy (new airplane) last night. It is a lot bigger than the first one. Hope he enjoys it.






We are waiting to see if the rain stops today before we head out and hit the road. The radar is not looking very promising. But if not then we will leave when it does stop. We will be heading to Tucson. Very slowly. We still have 3 states in the middle that we need to add to our map. Here is a picture of Joe putting a protective cover over the map. And his little helper. She would watch everything that he would do. She is so sweet.

Still counting the days!

Ok we are really supposed to be rolling down the hightway right now. But I was asked to stay 2 more weeks to help out here at Heiskell, Tn. Which really worked out fine because Joe has tests for the next two weeks.
It will also give us time to help our daughter to move into her new house. She will sign the papers and pick up the keys tomorrow. And she will be a new home owner for the first time. We are very proud of her.
We also will have more time to see the rest of the family. Joe went Tuesday and helped Corey pick up a swing set for Miss Jaelynn. Now they will have to pick a day to put it back together.
As everyone knows Red (half of the Too Krazy Ladies) fell and broke her hip and had a total hip replacement. Please everyone keep her in your prayers. Remember they are adoptees of the Class of 2007. They are part of our extended family.
Joe's dad (Butch) is doing better. He is still a little weak.
We are not sure where we will be going when we leave here. Since it is later than we planned we won't be going north. Will try to keep you informed about our where abouts.
Everyone have fun and be safe.

Counting the days!!

We have 6 days and a wake up before we can hit the road(to Lexington Ky). But at least we can move on down the road.

Today we drove to London Ky. to meet some dear friends. Paul and Connie Anderson. They had a two hour drive and Joe and I had a one hour drive. Yes ours was shorter, only because we were supposed to go and pick up (Butch) Joe's dad. But he was released from the hospital on Wed. and he was still feeling pretty weak.

We all met at the London Flea Market. We walked inside and talked for a while, then of course we decided to go and eat. We all agreed on Mexican, our favorite. The food was excellent, the service great, but the company was priceless. And a class of 07 fix. We really enjoyed our visit. Paul and Connie can make you laugh all day.

Joe took some pictures and I am sure they will be posted on his blog soon.

We parted company about 4 oclock and went to see Butch. Connie had baked him a cake. Of course she knows how Joe is and so she baked two cakes, just so that she would be sure that Butch got his cake.
While we were visiting, a weather report showed a strong storm heading toward Knoxville. Well we had left the awning out, so we headed toward the rig. I drove and tried to outrun the storm the whole way. We did beat it and was able to put the awning in and are now eating Lasagna and relaxing.

This week we will be getting ready to move, packing and cleaning.

Everyone have fun and be careful.
See you down the road.

RAIN AND THEN MORE RAIN

Hello everyone. It is has been raining for over an hour. Not just drizzle but pouring.The small creek behind the RV Park is over the banks and over the bridge. Joe and I were sitting here playing hand and foot with Skip bo cards and watching out the rv window at people going to the creek and getting stuff that was floating down the creek.



Then we see this guy going with some ropes and chains, so of course I had to go and check out what was going on. A fellow camper was out there and it was his boat that was lodged against the bridge and several people were helping him try to dislodge it.




There was an RV that came in when it first started raining about 6:00pm and the water was up to the back of his rig.








I thought everyone was going to have to pack up and leave.
What a storm. We even had strong wind and hail.
It is 8:00 now and it is still raining but the water is going down and I don't think we will have leave. Never a dull moment in the life of a full timer.

Everyone have fun and be safe.