Smokey Mountain Rain

Hello everyone…Margo here.

Our last day here in Ringgold started off at a beautifully cool 58 degrees--seemed more like an early fall morning than a mid-summer one.  We plan to head out early tomorrow morning for Mom and Mel’s in Elizabethton,TN for a 4 day mini family reunion then off to Nashville for Kevin’s new assignment.  I will be getting LuLu  road trip ready today--securing the pots, pans, plants, pictures and spice jars and will definitely appreciate the cooler temperature.

The “pups” and I have enjoyed our stay here at the KOA .  On our daily multiple walks we could usually find something interesting to see or smell--bunnies or other dogs for them and pretty flowers, wild blackberries or birds for me.

These past 5 weeks have gone by so fast but we tried to get out and about every weekend  to explore and enjoy as much of this beautiful area as we could.  Saturday is usually chore day--maintenance on LuLu, truck washing, dog bathing etc. (Hmmm-Kevin seems to show up in a lot of these “chore doing” pictures…) so that we can spend Sundays doing fun stuff together.  This past Sunday we loaded up our bikes and headed into Chattanooga once more and got a different perspective  using “two wheels” instead of two legs (and Dawn, I did just fine--I know--shocked me too!)

We stated our ride from the Choo Choo Station heading to the Downtown Riverfront and the Northshore area of Chattanooga on Market Street. Early Sunday morning city traffic is practically nonexistent (which made me a lot more comfortable riding in the streets) and most businesses are closed up except for this little gem we discovered …The Fork and Pie.  The menu included sweet and savory hand pies as well as the more traditional  pan pies and pot pies and serves the most delicious locally roasted coffee.  We chose the in house homemade granola with fresh locally grown blueberries.  So good!  In fact it was so good that we returned later for lunch--Jamaican Jerk Pork Pie wrapped in a Sweet Potato crust.  I hope we get assigned to Chattanooga again just so I go back to that place---it was fantastic!

We headed to Riverfront Parkway which parallels the Tennessee River.  In 1989 the City of Chattanooga began a major renovation and revitalization project of the riverfront area.  The result is an amazing and beautiful waterfront that includes parks, world class art museums, the Tennessee Aquarium and is the pride of Chattanooga.

We found this historical marker--please click on the picture and read it.  I did not know that the Trail of Tears began right here in Chattanooga at Ross’ Landing.  The Passage is a permanent art exhibit commemorating the Cherokee Nation’s Trail of Tears and is a tribute to the culture, art, and accomplishments of the original citizens of Chattanooga.  Seven doors on the west wall, each representing one of the seven clans of the Cherokee Nation, “weep” onto a “trail” of stairs.  The water symbolizes the tears shed as the Cherokee were driven from their home and removed on the Trail of Tears to what is  now Oklahoma.  Seven, six-foot ceramic disks tell the story of the Cherokee Nation from hundreds of years of Native American habitation in the southeast. The “waterfall “ terraced steps lead down to the site where their journey started 175 years ago.  The Passage ends at Ross’ Landing with seven  arcs of water rising out of the river. It is a very moving and beautiful memorial.

Sun Circle



Four Journey Direction

Weeping Eye Mask

Coiled Serpent

Warrior Birds

Connections

Strength of life

Seven Water Arcs

We made our way over to the Walnut Street Bridge .  Constructed in 1890 , this bright blue landmark connects the north and south shores of the Tennessee River and has been refurbished and converted to an all-pedestrian (and bicycle or doggie or stroller) bridge.  On the other side of the bridge are 2 beautiful parks--Coolidge Park and Renaissance Park.  Coolidge Park is home to the Delta Queen--a permanently docked historical paddleboat that has been converted into a floating hotel.  This park also hosts free Movies In The Park every Saturday night during the summer, free concerts on Friday nights (spotlighting local musicians) and also has fun things for kids of all ages--an interactive water fountain and an iconic carousel.  Unfortunately, the carousel was not open yet for the day otherwise Kevin and I both would have been channeling our “inner child” and jumped aboard.

Following winding paths through Coolidge Park led us to Renaissance Park where we did indulge ourselves sliding down a tall hill on conveniently placed cardboard slides!  Somehow, I remembered being able to go down a lot faster when I was a much smaller and lighter version of myself.

We lucked out with this assignment to The Scenic City--Chattanooga--maybe we’ll be lucky enough to return someday.

So it’s off to eastern Tennessee early Wednesday morning.  Rain is forecast but we'll do just fine through that smokey mountain rain.  Sunday  will find us back on the road again headin’ to Music City USA.  Hope you are all well.

In-Joy,
Margo

Walkin' The Line

Hey folks,

Well, the job in Dalton is winding down.  I’ll be done Tuesday or Wednesday of next week then it’s off to our new assignment.  Where will that be you may be asking.  Well I’ll tell you at the end of the post -  don’t peek.  Ah, the suspense must be unbearable.

First, I mentioned in an earlier post that I would describe what I actually do all day.  As you know, I inspect gas lines but why, when, how.  Why is obvious.  Have you caught the stories in the news of late about natural gas explosions?  Some have taken out whole neighborhoods.  That’s why.  As for when, the federal government requires surveys every 5 years for residential areas and every 1 year for business districts.  That’s job security there my friend.

So how is this done?  I’m provided a map of the city or town which shows all of the underground gas lines.  It’s usually shaded to show where they need the survey done for that year.  Carrying a gadget called a flame pack (which essentially “sniffs” the ground as I go).  I walk the main lines including all of the lines to each house or business with a stop at each meter.  I check the meter for leaks or damage and then it’s on to the next.  I start at about 7:00 am and I’m done by 3:00, before the really bad heat of the day takes hold.  Usually the last hour of the day is spent at the local gas company office doing paperwork as with anything the government mandates there is plenty of documentation to be done.

When I find a meter with a minor leak I annotate it so the utility company can repair it.  When I find an underground leak I have other instruments to punch holes in the ground and take readings to find out the scope and severity.  These below ground leaks get reported immediately and depending on the proximity to buildings and other factors a determination is made on how to proceed.  The gas company supervisor gets involved.  I tell him where it is, he calls in the crew and the digging begins.

I caused a few traffic jams

That’s really all there is to it.  I get the added bonus of meeting some really nice people along the way.  Homeowners will stop me to ask what I’m doing and we’ll chat for a few minutes.  Since I work so closely with the local utility I get to know a few of those guys as well.  The crew in Dalton are top notch.  Not one car in their employee parking lot, no sir, just pick-up trucks, most a few years old with some mud on the side.  They took me in and made me feel right at home.  Everyone had a suggestion of things to do and places to go while I was here.  These guys obviously love the outdoors and are proud of these hills around here.

Plenty steep for this Florida boy.

Dalton is the carpet capital of the world and my survey area included a good part of the carpet mill district.  These are enormous buildings where they manufacture the fiber, dye, backing, and even the cardboard tubes they roll it up on.  There are separate buildings where everything is woven together and warehouses 300 to 400 yards long and wide to store it all.  The gas systems are huge as well.  The meter for your house is about as big as a bread box.  The meters for these operations are as large as my pick up truck.

This is work....

All in all a great learning experience and the bonus of being able to check out Chattanooga.  So where to now?  Wednesday we’ll be heading to Mom and Mel’s house in Northeastern Tennessee for a few days of visitin’ (see the posts from last December and change the white snow to green grass).  There are blueberries to be picked and Mom’s famous lemon meringue pie to be eaten.  My brother is also making the trip so we’ll be having a mini family reunion.  On Sunday it’s off tooooo……… Music City USA – Nashville.  I knew I stowed that 6-string behind LuLu’s  couch for a reason.  Grand Ole Opry here we come.

Note:  The pics in this post were all taken with my phone so the quality isn't that great.

Pardon Me Boy..........

….. is this the Chattanooga Choo Choo?  Why yes it is because that’s where Margo and I went on Saturday.  For those of you familiar with the song by Glenn Miller and performed by the Andrew Sisters you’re probably humming it right now (and will be for the rest of the day – sorry about that).  For you youngsters here’s a You Tube link.  See some history will ya.

Downtown Chattanooga is, how do I describe it?  It’s quaint, not too big for it’s britches and remarkably clean.  It’s one of those towns where the downtown is the tourist draw but not overly “touristy”.  Sure, the chain restaurants are here, Sticky Fingers, Panera Bread, Longhorn Steak House, and Starbucks but there are a lot of local cafés and coffee shops, places like the Choo Choo Café, Mean Mug Coffeehouse and Greyfriar’s, a coffeehouse where we supported the locals and got a really good cup of coffee and slice of pecan pie.

It’s very easy to get around.  We parked Hank in a parking garage (just $3.00 for the whole day) and took the shuttle all over town. Very green (all electric) for no green (as in very free).  They also have kiosks spread all over downtown where you can rent a bike by the hour.  The sidewalks are extremely wide so walking is a great way to get around as well.

CARTA shuttle.



We started at the iconic Chattanooga Choo Choo site.  Built in 1903 the terminal is now a hotel and again, free to explore.  The train’s passenger cars have been turned into hotel suites all surrounded by meticulously maintained gardens.  As with the whole area, history abounds here with information plaques and the train itself.

We continued north toward the riverfront and explored the area around the aquarium and the art district including the pedestrian bridge over the Tennessee River.  In this area they have sculptures displayed here and there.  These two caught our eye, for blog reader Teri, the Great Dane “High Four” and with a nod to our home town Ocala horse fans this horse.  It reminded us of the horse fever series around Ocala.  This one, although it looks like driftwood, is actually cast bronze.

High Four



It’s a very relaxing space and people were in no hurry, just enjoying the day.  We plan to come back next weekend and bring along our bikes.  There’s an 8 mile bike path along the river that we want to explore so we’ll see ya then.  Now get that song out of your head will ya.

I Speak Whale!

For those of you who don’t know who these guys are the above title will mean nothing.  Go out and get a copy of "Finding Nemo", no matter your age you’ll love it.  Why do I bring them up?  You see, this weekend we went to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga.  Unfortunately I did not get to use my whale-speak skills as they do not have whales but they have everything else.  It’s unique in that they have two separate buildings, one ocean habitat and the other a fresh water habitat representing the rivers of the world.  They have penguins, sharks, our little friends Dora and Nemo and for a bonus a butterfly garden that’s truly amazing.    

We had the added pleasure of going with our dear friends from Florida, Nancy and George.  They went way out of their way on a trip to North Carolina to come to humble little Ringgold and stay a few days.

The aquarium complex also includes an IMAX theater where the four of us took in a short movie.  The feature film on our visit was "Born To Be Wild" which highlighted the efforts to save endangered elephants in Africa and Orangutans on Borneo, with Morgan Freeman narration goodness.  It was a great way to spend a rainy Fourth of July.



Friday, I got rained out of work so we all decided to visit the nearby Chickamauga Battlefield.  This sprawling battlefield memorial south of Chattanooga is operated by the National Park Service and chronicles the battles fought here that resulted in 1,657 Union soldier fatalities.  The Confederacy lost 2,312.  All of this in just two days of fighting.  It’s awe inspiring to stand there and imagine that just 150 years ago these decisive battles were waged where we stood and just 20 years after the war both sides came back together in peace to conceive the memorial and construct the dozens of monuments here that stand to this day.  It’s set up to tour in your car with narration from a phone number you call on your cell phone.  They also have a very impressive museum.  It would take many days to actually see everything they have here so we may go back and look at it some more, maybe on our bikes but on a drier day.

The visitors center at Chickamauga Battlefield

They say you can’t go back home but home came to us.  It was great to see George and Nancy and we look forward to dropping in on them in their new home in the North Carolina mountains real soon.  We hope everyone’s Fourth of July was filled with fun, friends and a few fireworks and not as soggy as ours was.  We’re looking forward to going back to Chattanooga in the coming weeks to explore more of the city, visiting the famous riverfront and looking for that choo-choo.

Until then.

Kevin