A Day In Knoxville

Here we are nestled in the hanger. This was the original American Airlines hanger when this airport was the Knoxville Municipal Airport. You can tell from a few remaining feet of track that it once had large rolling doors. It was slated for demolition but is leased to RAM for $1 a year. Their headquarters is housed in a 1930's school also leased for $1 a year. To get here one drives through a most charming 1930's neighborhood called Island Home which features mostly tudor, cottage and craftsman styled homes. On one side of the street, they back up to the river. Their yards are looking fantastic. Breathtaking really with all the various things blooming. There is also a park with a trail that goes right by the airport gate and leads to a nature preserve. We will walk it if time permits.

Stan shows up, having ridden over on his bicycle from his office a couple of miles away. He is 76, a vegetarian, and in incredible shape. Martha Lunkin, who writes for Flying Magazine, was to have flown in today to give check rides to Stan and his co-pilot. She is a retired FAA examiner and has been given permission to do this although Gene is the official check airman for RAM. This gives her a chance to get some flight time herself to stay current and to fly an airplane she loves. However, the winds are high and so she has postponed until the next day. We decide to stay another night and make sure she arrives, if not, then Gene will do the check rides.

So we head out to see some of Knoxville. There is a small bridge that leads to the airport and three large ones that connect this side of the Tennessee river to downtown. The river, by the way is wide and blue. We head to the downtown river front, having been warned there is construction in the area. Sure enough it is a "you can't get there from here" situation, but after going round and round and up and down, finally we do. We drive through the UT campus and are glad we went to AU and not in an urban setting. The river area is quite pleasant. We had lunch overlooking the river and tarried on a swing watching the antics of various water fowl and some humans whose behavior was as entertaining. Then we went to the log compound of James White, founder of the city. We were the only people there and so got a lot of attention. The two story house and kitchen are original buildings from 1786. The other recreations are done from logs of the same vintage gleaned from structures in the surrounding area. A lovely garden is cultivated in the courtyard and their peonies, dogwood and redbud are blooming. There is a great view of the city. From there, we toured the Mabry-Hazen home located on 6 acres nearby and occupied by the same family from 1858 to 1936. The last survivor left it, all its furnishings and some money to make it into a museum. This was a hot headed family, several of the male members having lost their lives in gun battles, duels and bar room brawls. The last survivor, Miss Evelyn, was known to pack a loaded pistol at all times.

Not finding anything else that drew us in, we returned to our camp and Gene took the obligitory nap, while I continued my pitiful painting. I have done watercolor with some success, but each time I go back to it from oil, it is like first grade all over again. To me, spring needs to be protrayed in watercolor, however, it may be Halloween before I feel comfortable with it.

I made a pasta salad and we cooked bugers on the grill. Just as we were about to take them off, we were surprised by a well dressed couple who walked up and greeted us. They were considering a move to Knoxville from Panama City, and were trying to explore a place to keep their airplane. We could be of no help, being strangers here ourselves, but we did have a nice chat.

After supper we explored a trail on the airport itself leading into those woods in front of our camper. It was an old roadbed so easy to walk. It was so lovely in there with the very intense hues of early spring. We circled around and exited in another part of the field.

The next morning we had a good breakfast in the hanger and Martha arrived in her little plane. She is tall and wiry with short grey hair and piercing blue eyes. I met her last year in Shelbyville. Gene went up to the airplane with the other folks and I started breaking camp. After they took off, he returned to help. Then the tractor trailer driver, Tom and his wife, Judy, showed up. RAM is doing a mission in LA next weekend and the truck will leave early on Wednesday to go. One of the Flagship Detroit pilots met Stan at ground school last week and volunteerd to drive another truck. RAM works mostly with volunteers. Tom and Judy offer a tour of the rig and we are happy to take them up on it. This truck is an '07, used two years for a racing outfit. It has a liftgate that would lift two racecars into the upstairs and downstairs was a completely outfitted machine shop. Now upstairs holds 30 someodd dental chairs and other equipment which will be offloaded into a gymnasium or other large structure (they have done it in tents) and downstairs is a fully equipped optical lab for making eyeglasses. They can make over 1000 pair in a weekend. They only had to replace one bank of cabinets to do the transformation. If you want to see RAM in action, go to ramusa.org and view the 60 minutes segment. It is pretty amazing!

We finally pulled out at midafternoon and arrived home before dark. Another nice day for driving and some good mountain views near Chattanooga. We were tired and Gene was really ready to be home. He was only home a few days between the barnstorming tip and the annoversay trip three or so days between the anniversary trip and ground school and one day between ground school and this trip. So, I think we are here at least until May 1, the Scottsboro air show.

Camping Under the Wing

Pilots flying their planes into a fly in happening will often camp under the wing of the plane, or near it, in a tent or by throwing a tarp over the wing to make a tent. We are actually in an open ended hanger with several planes and a very large tractor trailer in here with us. But let me start at the beginning.

We are headed to Knoxville on Thursday, which is another perfect spring day and we had a leisurely drive, stopping when the spirit moved us. We arrived about 3:30 and installed the camper at the back end of Remote Area Medical's (RAM) hanger. This is the very worthy outfit that provides free vision, dental and medical care to indigents in the U.S. and abroad, created by Stan Brock, once a star on Wild Kingdom. There is an electrical connection but prior to setting up, we drove the camper over to a nearby water hydrant to fill up our holding tank. We have brought extra water for cooking and drinking as we often do, not knowing what the quality might be at the destination. (For instance, the water in Dallas tastes like mud.)

We are looking out across a grassy field toward a treeline with the Tennessee River beyond the trees. We are at Downtown Island Airport which is surrounded by the Tennessee River. Looking down the runway, you can see the skyline of Knoxville. The sun is at our back so we get afternoon shade. One of the guys here tells us there is a trail throught the woods and down the river and that a bald eagle lives in those woods and can be seen flying from time to time in late afternoon. We will keep our eyes peeled.

Gene is here to give check rides to a couple of people and perhaps take one, though he doesn't think he is due yet. He has an arrangement to call an FAA examiner en route and take an oral as they say he is not legal until he does. When he calls, the guy tells him the deal is off, RAM has not jumped through the hoops and our trip is for naught. Gene calls Stan. Stan calls the FAA and quotes to them from the letter they sent him in response giving the authority. The FAA man is terribly embarrassed and faxes the permission and now the deal is on again. At our arrival, Ron Tallent calls and asks that Gene fly with him this evening as he has company coming tomorrow. He is about 45 minutes away and by the time they cranked the engines it was 7:30 PM. It was about 9 when Gene got back to the trailer for dinner. Meanwhile I set up my watercolors on a table outside and painted, at dark I walked down the line of hangers to the runway to see the city lights. It was a delightful balmy evening the airport is very well lit. No one around but us chickens.

For this flight, they are using Ron's DC3. Gene reported there was an electrical failure on the plane, possibly from an electrical fire as there was a lot of smoke at one point. They opened the windows to blow the smoke into the back and used flashlights to read the guages. The flight might have been ended a teeny bit sooner than planned.

We think this is about the best location we have ever camped in, good view, under a cover, private and quiet.

Loose Ends

A few other comments. While we were in the horticultural center, the pine trees bloomed. When we went in there was no pollen, when we came out the cars were turning yellow. And it has continued. Today I was following the FedEx truck down our street and there were yellow clouds billowing behind him. Hope we get that rain on Thursday to wash it away.

I also noticed at the campground that apparently those rope lights are fashionable to lay on the ground around the perimeter of ones camper. Sort of the same effect as when some cars had lights shining down under them.

And if you go to Pine Mountain, I do not recommend Crickets restaurant, or at least not the Cajun cuisine. I have had better Jambalaya from a box mix, and Gene says ditto to the gumbo and red beans and rice.

The Big Day

I turned in Saturday night hoping for a better night. The previous one had been interrupted by a dog in a nearby subdivision who barked the livelong night. Just as I nestled in, there was the jarring howl of a coyote. He sounded very near, perhaps in the meadow at the edge of the campground. Immediately every dog in the park started barking....and there are a LOT of dogs. Several people have two. Thankfully they quieted and I slept. Gene says there was more barking later, but not in my world.
It was after daylight when I awoke, another rarity. And, oops, there propped on my computer was a wonderful anniversary card. Oops, because in my zeal of planning this spur of the moment trip, I had neglected to get him one. He forgives though, if I will serve him coffee. He's easy.
We drove to Warm Springs and arrived at Bullock House before it opened at 11, hoping to beat the crowd. Talked with a nice couple from LaGrange while we waited. We could have gotten there at 11:30 and still gotten in ok, but at that time there was a short wait. The other couple had come after 12 last year and waited an hour and a half. We think we would have done that. It is good country cooking, but so are a lot of places. We had a good meal, visited a fish hatchery and the FDR State Park before returning to the "nest". With a delightful breeze blowing, we vegged in the shade of our awning. There is a peaceful ambiance here as people walk, ride bikes and play games. The previous evening we even saw folks playing Wii and projecting videos onto the side of their camper.

The Gardens

Lovely day and lots of folks out at the gardens. A tad early for a lot of things. The azealeas will be coming along this coming week, but a lot of things looking good. I guess I can let the photos speak a little here. The Callaways were a unique couple and had a vision they carried through with. What a legacy! These gardens were first opened in the 1950's.

I have heard of doubles in flowers but these daffodils must be quads or more! So many layers! In side the horticulture center there were lots of precious cute bunny and chick topararies in cute poses.

The cherry blossoms were blowing off these trees like snow. Making a lovely backdrop for folks to photograph their loved ones.

The chapel is so very picturesque and in such a perfect spot on the lake. Your first glimpse is coming around a curve and you see this perspective, but from farther away. Breathtaking.

Mid afternoon, we took a break and went back into Pine Mountain for an ice cream break at Sage's soda fountain and then back into the park to explore more. It was an easy in and out. It was really too early for the vegetable garden but there were some perennials and some things they were testing over the winter. Many families had brought picnics and there was what appeared to be a family reunion in the beach area with a large group. I told Gene to introduce himself as a long lost cousin and help himself to the fried chicken.

Too late to eat all that ice cream and then do a full dinner so we got a handmade hambuger at a country dining spot. The service was good and friendly, the burgers were excellent and a treat as I rarely allow myself to have one. Then we returned to what Gene is now calling "our road nest."

Spur of the moment

After finding no room at campgrounds near Apalachicola, FL and deciding to postpone, on the spur of the moment, we decided to spend our 12th anniversary at Callaway Gardens Meaning, we decided on Wednesday afternoon. Thursday was a full day of whipping the Conestoga into shape after its winter rest. Friday it was up and our. It was a picture perfect day and an easy drive. We pulled into a convenience store parking lot and ate our pre made lunch, then headed out again. No muss, no fuss. We have not been here in about three years and the last time was in the winter. Looking forward to exulting in Spring.
We are at the Pine Mountain RV Resort and this time the name fits (unlike many we have seen called resort). It is just three miles from the gardens. Huge place, not half full as we sit her next to our little fire with the stars bright above. There is no one in front of us for about a block. The registration area is very modern. They have a nice gift shop, wine and coffee bars. Lovely sitting area with fireplace and flatscreen. Just behind it is an exercise room, steam shower and game room complete with Wii. It has a saline pool, with kiddie pool and hot tub. Swings, fence pet play area, playground covered with one of those sail things. They have family showers with two sinks, and slate lined showers. Very upscale. The pads are concrete with flagstone patio. There is wifi, cable and sewer. We are in hog heaven.
Gene said he sure was surprised last summer when I said I had found us a camper, but he is glad. He is really into this lifestyle. He likes sitting outside, cooking on the grill and having a campfire while playing his favorite music on the stereo. I like having my own bathroom with me.
This afternoon we went into Pine Mountain which is about a mile from here. They have several cute shops and I have never seen such friendly shop keepers. Someone has told them about customer service. One asked my name and when I left, called me by name. We saw an art show by a woman from LaGrange who paints with yarn! Guess that is a way to combine two hobbies. Really though, it would take a lot of planning and unbelievable patience. Her name is Annie Green. Maybe you can Google her. One shop had a lot of interesting sculptural art. And, yes, Sansing, all the things are still here from the old days. One of the shops had two paintings of the chapel. When we came here together while at Auburn I was so taken with that chapel and wanted to marry him there. When we actually did marry, I considered it but the logistics were not good. I will post pics tomorrow.
We spent our evening here in the campground. Enjoyed a steak dinner we cooked on our little grill and then took a walk around the neighborhood. Gene has just said for the 35th time, what a nice place this is. We will spend tomorrow at the gardens. Tune in.