7-7-17  off to Knoxville---

And we're off, again.  This time to Knoxville to visit Tim and Faith, and watch the animals while they go on an overnight hike into the mountains (Le Conte Mt).  There are cabins on top of the mountain that you can only get to by hiking to them.  They're so popular that there's a lottery to get to stay at them---even with the $300, or so, reservation fee (which also includes dinner and breakfast).  Wish I was young and healthy enough to do that, but I imagine the 3300+ elevation climb would probably kill me!  But we still had a good time visiting with the kids before and after their trip and Ken and I enjoyed running around the Smokey's by ourselves when we weren't hanging out with the grandanimals.
Their hike wasn't until Sunday the 9th, but we headed up on Friday so we could spend some time with them.  The 4 hours ride is actually rather enjoyable.
Although at first it did look like we could be hitting some rain along the way!  Luckily we didn't.

 I took pictures along our way.  Love the Christmas tree at this barn!

 We took the back route to Knoxville, again.  May be a little longer, but a lot more interesting than driving around the perimeter of Atlanta!  This route takes us through a lot of little towns---like this one (Ball Ground).

 We stopped and had lunch here in the Burger Bus.  Angie and I had stopped here when we were heading up to Knoxville for an estate sale.  The food was good and the atmosphere is unique.  You actually eat in a bus.

We split a hotdog (I've inherited Dad's taste for hotdogs!) and onion rings; and we both had a burger.  It was a very good and fattening lunch!

  Picture of the restaurant as we were leaving.

 We continued on through the countryside on up to Cleveland, Tn, where we finally got onto I-75.  This way we avoided Atlanta and Chattanooga traffic.

 and got to see midwest countryside.

 and farmlands

 Finally reached the kids' place about 5.  They were still at work, but arrived home about 6.  Then we had grilled brats and hamburgers.  It was a great dinner and great start to our mini vacation there.

 After dinner, we even headed a couple miles down the river to catch sunset.  Not the greatest, but not bad.

 It was a pleasant evening to be out and about.