Chillin at the Fountains

The Fountains



Campfire circle. They think of everything.



Boat rental and fishing pier.


A composited panorama of the pool area. Air temperature 83 and water temperature of low 70s.






Corona Cigar Company - the largest integrated sales floor and lounge in the country. The entire store is kept at 67-70% humidity by cooling and active foggers.



Dinner tonight at Landry's.

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Andersonville

This morning we visited Civil War Fort Sumter, known commonly as the Andersonville War Prison. At the end of the war, the fort enclosure was over 21 acres of Northern Armies prisoners who had been reduced pretty much to skin and bones and riddled with lice, dysentery, scurvy, and smallpox. They were dying at over 300 a day.






Living conditions were abdominal.



The original stockade encompassed most of this open field.



The attached cemetery is still used for dead soldiers who have spent some time as POWs.

This National Historic Park is charged by Congress to interpret and preserve the whole POW story (all wars and actions.)

- Posted from my iPhone 4

On The Road - Day Two

This morning we toured around Cumberland Gap National Park (yes I got my Parks Passport stamped.)







Inside the visitor center is decorated typical southern hills decor. The upstairs is totally devoted to a sales and display area for local artisan craft objects.







We finished with a trip up to the scenic overlook (Pinnacle Overlook.)







Tomorrow we will be touring Andersonville Civil War Prison (a National Park property.)

- Posted from my iPhone 4

On The Road - Day One

We made it to Corbin, KY (home of Kentucky Fried Chicken) We ate dinner at the Sanders Cafe - the original. It's a National Historic site now.






Dottie was hoping to get the recipe for the original spices, but he was mute!







Ross and Dottie

- Posted from iPhone 4

First trip of 2011

It's right around the corner -- our first major trip of the year. What's on the agenda for this trip? Coming in April, we plan to visit Cumberland Gap NHP and Andersonville NHS on our way to Orlando. While in Florida we plan on catching the Shuttle launch on the 19th, Canaveral National Seashore, Bock Gardens, Hard Rock Cafe (of course!) and perhaps a nice restaurant or two (or 6). While in Orlando, we will stay at the Fountains (a Bluegreen property) near Universal Studio. Keep checking this blog starting about April 18 for parts of the story.

On The Way Home

Well, all good things must, at some point, come to an end. We are now around Little Rock, AR on the way home. We've had a blast, nearly maxed out our cards, and saw some great scenery at some great locations and had too much good southern cooking. Dottie even has a ranking system for the barbecue. Now back to reality...

Ross and Dottie

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Luckenbach Texas

Luckenbach is a small "town" or very large beer garden (take your pick!) We parked in a large gravel lot and were able to freely explore the complex. We were told later that it is common to have to pay a stiff entrance fee (when big name entertainers are there.) Today there was a wedding scheduled - oh yeah, and lots of drinking. Now we can honestly say: "Been there - done that."

Ross and Dottie

- Posted from my iPhone 4