Davy Crockett and Meriweather Lewis (Hohenwald, TN)

After leaving Park City, we drove to Hohenwald, TN for a four day stopover.  Our destination was a Thousand Trails resort but to drive to it we had to drive south and then back north to avoid a low clearance of only 11 feet (our Mobile Suite needs at least 13’2”).  We finally arrived, checked-in, and found a full hook-up site.

While driving around the area, we discovered that Davy Crockett lived in Lawrenceburg at one point in his life.  The city has taken advantage of that by erecting a statue in his honor and being the home to the David Crockett State Park.

Davy Crockett statue in Lawrenceburg, TN

In the other direction, we visited the Natchez Trace parkway which is a national scenic byway from Nashville to Natchez, MS.  In order for us to drive from the campground to Hohenwald, we had to pass by the Meriweather Lewis National Park.  After Lewis and Clark completed their expedition to the west, Lewis was traveling back to Washington, DC and decided to travel over land instead of by water.  He died under mysterious circumstances in 1809 at the age of 34.  All that is known for certain is that Lewis dies at an inn called Grinder’s Stand from two gunshot wounds.  He was buried about 200 yards from the inn.  The broken column of his grave site symbolizes his life cut short.  The theories of his death include suicide, murder by highwaymen, murder by his servant, assassination by James Wilkinson, or murder by the innkeeper. 

We were able to drive along a portion of the old Trace on a narrow one lane road that gives you an idea of what the early settlers encountered on their travels.  There are probably graves all along the old Trace.  We did find an old graveyard which was probably a family plot.  What is most heart rendering is the number of infant grave sites we have seen in the graveyards.

 This is part of the old Natchez Trace.

Overlook along the old Trace

Looking forward along the old Trace

Looking back along the old Trace.



Old Cemetery

This was just the start of adventure along the Natchez Trace Parkway.  

EASY LIVING!

Diamond Caverns RV Park (Park City, KY)

As planned we departed Charlestown on October 16 and arrived at Diamond Caverns RV Park in Park City, KY by noon. Diamond Caverns RV Park is part of the Thousand Trails system and camping fees are included in the membership cost. This is a relatively small park but is very pleasant and quiet. Abby would probably not agree with that because on Sunday there was someone in the distance doing some target shooting. As soon as she heard the shots, her tail went between her legs and she pulled back to the camper. :-)

We had one of the best campsites with an unblemished view of the playground and the buildings and the woods beyond. One morning as Pat walked Duke, he said he saw two deer that were feeding. Pretty cool!

On Monday, we decided to drive around Mammoth Cave National Park. A few years ago, we went on a cave tour so we passed on that this time. We took the dogs on one of the easier trails--that's about all they (and us) can handle!

This particular trail led to an old cemetery where Stephen Bishop who was a cave guide and is the only identified guide buried here. His grave marker was probably originally intended for a Union soldier but was donated by a Mammoth Cave visitor.

While driving around the park, we took one of the side roads and found that we had to cross the river on a ferry. While we have been on big car ferries, this was unique because it can handle only about three cars at a time. 

Duke enjoyed looking out at the river as we crossed!

It was an enjoyable drive and hike.

From Mammoth Cave, we drove into Park City to the site of Bell's Tavern. This is a ruins that was once a stage coach stop back in the 1830's. The original structure must have been huge (see second picture below where Pat is walking). Looking at the ruins makes one wonder how such a structure was constructed since they certainly did not have the modern cranes that we have today!

On Tuesday, the weather changed with an approaching cold front and rain threatened all day. Wednesday was another travel day in the rain to a park southwest of Nashville, TN.

EASY LIVING!!

Southern Indiana visit with family and friends

Wow I can't believe that our two weeks in Southern Indiana are almost at an end.  We had several visits with our grown children--they even fixed us dinner one night!  I believe they will actually succeed in life and make us proud. 

We also visited with our good friends, Rob and Becky, when we fixed our Dutch Oven Breakfast and again at dinner at Cheddar's.  We attended St. Mark's UCC last Sunday and saw several of our friends there and at Harvest Homecoming.  Susan made two trips to Guthrie/Mayes during our stay.  The first trip was to assist the full-time replacement transition to the job and the second time was with our four-legged children for a visit. 

The four-legged children have improved immensely with their bark training.  While we were in Elkhart, we purchased bark control collars for them both to help them learn to not bark and be more calm as a result.  I put the collars on one night at Elkhart and Duke found out what it is all about--zap, zap, zap (not too severe, so don't worry).  The next day while the camper was being finished with the generator installation, the "kids" were in the car as were the new bark control collars.  Well, when we returned to the car from breakfast, there was no sign of the collars.  Finally after searching the car, I found them but Abby had managed to chew the buckles on both of the collars.  Do you think she didn't want those things to hurt her big brother???  After we got settled in Charlestown State Park, I went to a fabric store and found the right size buckles so now training has resumed and both "kids" are much better behaved!!

Tomorrow morning, we head to Park City, KY for a few days.  Our goal is to leave by ten in the morning so we can cross the Kenndey Bridge in Louisville before traffic builds.  Several weeks ago one of the bridges between Southern Indiana and Louisville was closed due to structural problems.  As a result, I-64 traffic is diverted to I-65 and causes monumental traffic congestion.  Can I say that I timed my retirement perfectly!!

EASY LIVING!!