Our Tennessee Vacation
(Alternate titles considered: "Little Animals We Have Eaten" or "Tempting the Cave Monsters")
What a week we have had!!! We left home on the evening of September 29th heading for Crossville, Tennessee. After driving to what felt like the middle of nowhere, we arrived at Hiawatha Manor on Lake Tansi. We staggered in to the condo and crashed!!! Saturday morning we ventured out to Crossville. We discovered that Lake Tansi is a beautiful hidden treasure nestled in the farmland. After purchasing some grocery items and taking them to the condo, we started out toward Fall Creek Falls. You park and walk about 100 yards out a level trail to an overlook. Crashing down into the canyon is Fall Creek Falls. WOW!!! We took another steep and rough trail down the canyon wall and to the base of the falls. It was a rather rugged trail over lots of loose rocks, but it was worth it. Aaron took photos of everything, and we all enjoyed looking at the different rocky layers. The climb back up wasn't near as much fun, but we enjoyed it anyway. Barry and the boys had to shine their lights into crevases and anything that looked like a cave along the way.
On Sunday we cooked a big breakfast and headed over to the Lake Tansi marina. We rented a small jon boat and went out for a day on the lake. It was beautiful! We caught a few fish, and Aaron's small-mouth bass was the largest one. Daniel had more fun chasing the minnows in the bait bucket! We returned to the condo as it neared sunset. As Barry grilled our supper, the boys did some late evening fishing in Lake Hiawatha right behind our condo. Daniel soon decided it was time to skip rocks on the lake, so fishing was over.
Monday morning we drove down to Dunlap where Barry's mom now lives. We had not seen her in months! We picked her up and went to the Lost Sea at Sweetwater. After a picnic lunch we took a tour of the caverns. There were not a lot of formations on the tour, and the paths were very steep. We finally arrived at the Lost Sea itself, a beautiful underground lake. We boarded glassbottom boats for a cruise around the lake. They stock it with trout, and they are absolutely huge! The guide told everyone to put their hands in the water to see how cold it was. I've seen too many movies I guess. I could just imagine some cave monster coming up out of the water, dragging my sons from the boat by their fingers, and down into his lair in the dark lake bottom 70 feet below! Thankfully, nobody was eaten, and the only monsters in the cave were my two boys. It was a nice day spent with Anita. Daniel told us at supper that it was the best day of his life and was even better with Grandmommy there. Boy that made her day! We had a great catfish supper together.
Tuesday was our 14th anniversary. We visited the Homestead Tower and museum, as well as Cumberland Homestead State Park. Both were built during the Depression, and were very impressive. Aaron the Photo Man was very busy with the tower and the beautiful lake and bridge! We then went to Ozone Falls. It is called a state natural area, which means "hold onto your kids because there isn't a rail!" Out a short trail you suddenly find yourself at the head of the falls, which plunge 110 feet over a cliff. Of course we all wanted to look over, so Barry crawled on his belly to the edge. One at a time, we let the boys belly-crawl to the edge with Barry holding their ankles. Oh did they think that was something! We took another trail that took us to the bottom of the falls. The "trail" consisted of a couple of arrows on trees, which translated to, "See if you can make it this way without killing yourself!" The end result was well worth it as we climbed behind the falls. It was a little scary as we stood on the jagged rocks to look straight up at the thin rock ledge where we peeped over earlier. We decided to follow the stream, and set off hiking through woods over rocks and fallen trees. We were rewarded with beautiful views, small cascades and falls, still pools with autumn leaves floating at the edges, and even a snake. It was a good lesson for the boys to see how the snake was able to hide in the rocks, and I think it gave them a better understanding of why you should be careful in the woods. We finally made our way back to the top, and headed into Crossville for a nice supper at The Gondola. I sure was glad we got there around 5 PM, because everybody in Crossville was there by 6 PM! Back at the condo we looked like a bunch of monkeys as everybody checked everybody else's hair for ticks! After showers we settled in and watched a movie before bed.
Wednesday we began the trip home. When we reached Chattanooga we decided to visit some attractions there, beginning with Rock City. The kids LOVED it! Going between the giant rocks, on steep overlooks, and across the swinging bridge were just right up their alley! They really enjoyed the Fairyland Caverns. I can remember them when I was a kid, but with all the technology and such that kids are exposed to today, I wasn't sure they'd like them. I was wrong! Even Aaron got into reading the rhymes and finding the familiar characters in the blacklit scenes. After Rock City came Ruby Falls. The kids really liked that one because of all the really cool rock formations. They weren't disappointed by the falls either. I ended up at the back of the group because I was taking pictures. Again, I thought of the cave monsters in the movies. They always eat the guy in the back and nobody realizes it until they reach the surface. Well, as you can see, I must not have looked very tasty to the cave monster. We pulled into our driveway late that night, tired but happy.
Thursday morning we had a hitch put on the green Jeep, and then wandered around. Lunch at Atlanta Steakhouse was delicious, and the boys got the fried gator tail they had been craving. We ended the day with a good long walk at Black Shoals Lake.
Friday morning we packed fishing gear and set out for Elberton. Barry had to teach a class at the armory there. When he was done we went to Richard B. Russell State Park. We hiked the trail out to Blackwell Bridge, and then fished until dark. We finished the day with supper in Athens before heading home.
Saturday we took our time getting up and running. We went to the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds for the Native American Festival. Our friend David Behrens was there exhibiting some of his new paintings. His latest work shows the Navajo "Code Talkers" from WWII. We bought a small print and he signed it for us. Daniel just had to have a wooden spear and Aaron fell in love with an antler knife. Powwows always begin with the flag being carried in, and honoring the warriors - the veterans of all armed services. Barry went out when they called for the veterans and danced the warriors' dance with them. We spent the evening eating buffalo burgers and frybread as we watched the dancing. It was a wonderful evening.
Sunday put us all in our scout uniforms as we helped with the Popcorn Show-n-Sell outside Wal-Mart. We had four little boys there and managed to sell a lot of popcorn. One kid just had "the look" to him, and people just put donations in his hand! While we were there, the bloodmobile was asking for donations as well. Barry and I both donated a pint, and in return the bloodmobile people bought popcorn. It worked out well for everyone!
I know it looks like we went non-stop through the week, but it was one of the most relaxing and unhurried vacations we have ever had. We went at our own pace and did what we wanted to do. We enjoyed God's creation both above and below ground, and enjoyed our little family as well. What a blessing!
What a week we have had!!! We left home on the evening of September 29th heading for Crossville, Tennessee. After driving to what felt like the middle of nowhere, we arrived at Hiawatha Manor on Lake Tansi. We staggered in to the condo and crashed!!! Saturday morning we ventured out to Crossville. We discovered that Lake Tansi is a beautiful hidden treasure nestled in the farmland. After purchasing some grocery items and taking them to the condo, we started out toward Fall Creek Falls. You park and walk about 100 yards out a level trail to an overlook. Crashing down into the canyon is Fall Creek Falls. WOW!!! We took another steep and rough trail down the canyon wall and to the base of the falls. It was a rather rugged trail over lots of loose rocks, but it was worth it. Aaron took photos of everything, and we all enjoyed looking at the different rocky layers. The climb back up wasn't near as much fun, but we enjoyed it anyway. Barry and the boys had to shine their lights into crevases and anything that looked like a cave along the way.
On Sunday we cooked a big breakfast and headed over to the Lake Tansi marina. We rented a small jon boat and went out for a day on the lake. It was beautiful! We caught a few fish, and Aaron's small-mouth bass was the largest one. Daniel had more fun chasing the minnows in the bait bucket! We returned to the condo as it neared sunset. As Barry grilled our supper, the boys did some late evening fishing in Lake Hiawatha right behind our condo. Daniel soon decided it was time to skip rocks on the lake, so fishing was over.
Monday morning we drove down to Dunlap where Barry's mom now lives. We had not seen her in months! We picked her up and went to the Lost Sea at Sweetwater. After a picnic lunch we took a tour of the caverns. There were not a lot of formations on the tour, and the paths were very steep. We finally arrived at the Lost Sea itself, a beautiful underground lake. We boarded glassbottom boats for a cruise around the lake. They stock it with trout, and they are absolutely huge! The guide told everyone to put their hands in the water to see how cold it was. I've seen too many movies I guess. I could just imagine some cave monster coming up out of the water, dragging my sons from the boat by their fingers, and down into his lair in the dark lake bottom 70 feet below! Thankfully, nobody was eaten, and the only monsters in the cave were my two boys. It was a nice day spent with Anita. Daniel told us at supper that it was the best day of his life and was even better with Grandmommy there. Boy that made her day! We had a great catfish supper together.
Tuesday was our 14th anniversary. We visited the Homestead Tower and museum, as well as Cumberland Homestead State Park. Both were built during the Depression, and were very impressive. Aaron the Photo Man was very busy with the tower and the beautiful lake and bridge! We then went to Ozone Falls. It is called a state natural area, which means "hold onto your kids because there isn't a rail!" Out a short trail you suddenly find yourself at the head of the falls, which plunge 110 feet over a cliff. Of course we all wanted to look over, so Barry crawled on his belly to the edge. One at a time, we let the boys belly-crawl to the edge with Barry holding their ankles. Oh did they think that was something! We took another trail that took us to the bottom of the falls. The "trail" consisted of a couple of arrows on trees, which translated to, "See if you can make it this way without killing yourself!" The end result was well worth it as we climbed behind the falls. It was a little scary as we stood on the jagged rocks to look straight up at the thin rock ledge where we peeped over earlier. We decided to follow the stream, and set off hiking through woods over rocks and fallen trees. We were rewarded with beautiful views, small cascades and falls, still pools with autumn leaves floating at the edges, and even a snake. It was a good lesson for the boys to see how the snake was able to hide in the rocks, and I think it gave them a better understanding of why you should be careful in the woods. We finally made our way back to the top, and headed into Crossville for a nice supper at The Gondola. I sure was glad we got there around 5 PM, because everybody in Crossville was there by 6 PM! Back at the condo we looked like a bunch of monkeys as everybody checked everybody else's hair for ticks! After showers we settled in and watched a movie before bed.
Wednesday we began the trip home. When we reached Chattanooga we decided to visit some attractions there, beginning with Rock City. The kids LOVED it! Going between the giant rocks, on steep overlooks, and across the swinging bridge were just right up their alley! They really enjoyed the Fairyland Caverns. I can remember them when I was a kid, but with all the technology and such that kids are exposed to today, I wasn't sure they'd like them. I was wrong! Even Aaron got into reading the rhymes and finding the familiar characters in the blacklit scenes. After Rock City came Ruby Falls. The kids really liked that one because of all the really cool rock formations. They weren't disappointed by the falls either. I ended up at the back of the group because I was taking pictures. Again, I thought of the cave monsters in the movies. They always eat the guy in the back and nobody realizes it until they reach the surface. Well, as you can see, I must not have looked very tasty to the cave monster. We pulled into our driveway late that night, tired but happy.
Thursday morning we had a hitch put on the green Jeep, and then wandered around. Lunch at Atlanta Steakhouse was delicious, and the boys got the fried gator tail they had been craving. We ended the day with a good long walk at Black Shoals Lake.
Friday morning we packed fishing gear and set out for Elberton. Barry had to teach a class at the armory there. When he was done we went to Richard B. Russell State Park. We hiked the trail out to Blackwell Bridge, and then fished until dark. We finished the day with supper in Athens before heading home.
Saturday we took our time getting up and running. We went to the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds for the Native American Festival. Our friend David Behrens was there exhibiting some of his new paintings. His latest work shows the Navajo "Code Talkers" from WWII. We bought a small print and he signed it for us. Daniel just had to have a wooden spear and Aaron fell in love with an antler knife. Powwows always begin with the flag being carried in, and honoring the warriors - the veterans of all armed services. Barry went out when they called for the veterans and danced the warriors' dance with them. We spent the evening eating buffalo burgers and frybread as we watched the dancing. It was a wonderful evening.
Sunday put us all in our scout uniforms as we helped with the Popcorn Show-n-Sell outside Wal-Mart. We had four little boys there and managed to sell a lot of popcorn. One kid just had "the look" to him, and people just put donations in his hand! While we were there, the bloodmobile was asking for donations as well. Barry and I both donated a pint, and in return the bloodmobile people bought popcorn. It worked out well for everyone!
I know it looks like we went non-stop through the week, but it was one of the most relaxing and unhurried vacations we have ever had. We went at our own pace and did what we wanted to do. We enjoyed God's creation both above and below ground, and enjoyed our little family as well. What a blessing!
posted by Jennifer at 10:57 PM
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