A Feast for the Eyes

To reach Padre Island when we were in Brownsville, we had to cross the Queen Isabella Causeway.  The sight of the Gulf with all of the boats, dolphins, and parasailers; the towering hotels in the distance, is something I will never tire of seeing.  I now feel the same way about northeastern Tennessee.

By just walking out the front door of the trailer, one is transported into a cool green forest with mountains bordering all sides.  A quick walk around the trailer and you'll see Roan Creek rushing by.  The creek is two to three feet deep, currently, and maybe 30-40 feet across.  The water is cold and fast.  The creek bed is lined with smooth stones and small boulders.  This isn't exactly what you'd call a babbling brook; the water is choppy running over the stones and it is fast.  It has the general appearance of what you'd expect a river to look like when you go white water rafting.  And that is exactly what the campers here are doing:  Riding down the creek in innertubes.

Miniature waterfall at the entrance to Roan Creek Campground

Annie's favorite pastime: Standing in the cold water

I have been friends with the owners of Roan Creek Campground for over 40 years; consort came along a little while later and has fit right in.  It has been great fun catching up with old friends and sharing meals.  Their knowledge of the area is priceless.  We took a drive to check out a piece of property they own near the Appalachian Trail in the Cherokee National Forest.  My friend suggested we ride with them as the road to the property is very narrow and full of switchback turns.  We -- or maybe it was just me -- decided it was a good idea to drive separate vehicles.  We would drive our F350 dually and bring the three mangy mongrels along for the ride.  

My friend, who has always been the more level headed of our dynamic duo, just rolled her eyes and shook her head, then reluctantly agreed to us following them.  The road was very narrow and every 40-50 yards there was a hairpin bend.  There were several unnerving tight spots when we crossed paths with oncoming big trucks; but in the end, consort navigated the mountainous terrain like a pro.  His driving skills never cease to amaze me -- and almost always in a positive way.

While we were at the property, a horse-drawn, covered wagon passed by.  Now that's something you don't see every day.  The collage pictured below shows some of the tight curves leading up, and down, the mountain.  

We are presently parked in the Smoky Mountains, which are a part of the Appalachian mountain range.  The highest peak of the Smoky Mountains, Mount Mitchel, is 6,684 feet high.  The highest peak of the Rocky Mountains, Mount Elbert, is 14,440 feet high.   This should give us plenty of practice for future trips through the Rockies.  

This past Saturday morning, consort and I went with our friend to a flea market and fresh produce stand.  I was thrilled to find white squash, also known as Patty Pan or scalloped summer squash, at the produce stand.  In the world where I live, summer is not summer until you've had a serving of Patty Pan squash.

This picture is of a glass platter friend and I found at the flea market.  We knew immediately that one of us had to have it.  It was only $3, but a glass platter in a fifth wheel?  Every time we move the trailer it's as if we've had a small earthquake inside!  We finally decided I would enjoy the glass platter while parked here at Roan Creek, and she would keep the platter safe in her stationary home when we move on.

There is so much to see and explore here, and the weather is perfect for being outside.  We're still trying to figure out cell signals and internet.  It's a little hard to research where you're going to explore without access to a cell phone with internet.  We are slowly figuring it all out.

In the meantime, I think I'll head back outside to sit and stare at the creek.  My first-born recommends staring at the creek endlessly; he tells me I’ll find there everything I need to know, and all the news is included.