Friday, April 19, 2019

Spring in Tennessee

We are finishing up our stay in Tennessee, heading to Indiana on May 1st. The weather here has been milder than last winter but it has rained about four days out of seven since February. My outdoor work has been interrupted many times due to the rain. The coldest temperature was 14 for two days, otherwise the lows have been about 22 and highs about 45, near normal. We have been here for two winters and this will be our last. We plan to move farther south next winter, traveling in probably Georgia, Alabama and maybe Texas.

Four of us pruned about 120 Crepe Myrtle trees in the park.
This is what they look like in the winter after flowers are gone.

Crepe Myrtles ready for Spring.

Pine straw is used all around the park. We spread about 1350 bales

The boss ordered a few too many so here is 150 waiting for use later.

Our 15 year old cat is still happy in our motor home. 

This is how you get a wash and wax, available from a mobile vendor. 
He is in the park every week but I still do my own.

The Knoxville Bass tournament was held in March. For you fisherman, you might recognize Gary Yamamoto. I did not take a photo of his trailer that had
a pickup truck with an overhead deck holding his large bass boat. People at the tournament actually make a living by fishing. What did I do wrong??

Clingsman Dome opened again April 1st. We drove to the parking lot
but did not walk the steep path to the overlook.

Many of the trees died off a few years ago from disease but they have come back.

Too steep and too tired to take the path. It's quite a walk if you have not tried it.

The new portion of the Foothills Parkway opened this winter. It has been planned
for and worked on for over 20 years. The Park finally obtained funding to finish it.

There are several bridges constructed across sides of the mountain.This is one of them. These were expensive, difficult to build and funding was the holdup for many years.

Looking down into Townsend from the parkway.

Lots of nice expensive stone walls, typical in the park.
At least they build it to last many years.

The last view before the east end, looking down into Wears Valley.

This is a Chubby Burger. I probably should not eat this but I did make two meals
 from it minus the bun since I can't eat gluten.