Last Day-Put out the lights the party's over.

Sat, 28 Feb is our last day, we depart tomorrow 1 March if we are not snowed in. Weather reports are calling for snow as far South as Dothan, AL, Atlanta is calling for 4 inches, so travel tomorrow may be slow. It has been a great week to enjoy with old friends.





Morning coffee out on the deck has been an adventure, why we sit outside with all the bedding wrapped around us is beyond me, but then why Lennis only drinks cold coffee is also beyond me.




The gals are never slowed by the weather, the rain today bothered them not the least. The photo above catches them trying to hide the packages in the trunk so Lennis and I would not see everything. At supper tonight the gals explained how much money they had saved us. It went something like this: meals eaten in the condo saved $20 per person (food bought elsewhere but prepared in the condo had no cost so every meal consumed in the condo resulted in savings so the savings were available to shop. Any item that was on sale resulted in savings that became available for additional shopping. Items that were desired but were not actually purchased resulted in savings available for shopping, after this was totaled up and actually spent on items they saved additional money because they used coupons. Driving 20 miles to use a $2 coupon was considered no cost because they were saving money on the item purchased. They saved us so much money we had to take out a small lone to get home. (If by chance this makes sense to you, then you must be a female.)



A fun week with great friends, can hardly contain my joy until the next savings trip.

Relax With the Old Folks, or what to do on a rainy day

Up before noon, Judy cooked sausage and eggs and we called it brunch, don't the gals look lovely? Forget Lennis this is how he looks everyday)

After brunch we decided to go to the hot tub/ pool since it was raining and the gals did not want to chance getting thier hair messed up in the rain. I am aways prepaired, so I slipped into swim trunks, bath robe with designer flip flops and something to keep my head warm and off we go!

Nice indoor heated pool with only the beautiful people allowed (Lennis and I slipped in )

Judy practices her water abroics, when this picture started she had a foot up in the air but the shutter on the camera was not fast enough to capture the action.

Whittington takes command of the kiddy pool, all the mothers came and took thier little tikes to a safter area. I had to ware the hat because my hair was such a mess.

Lennis demonstrates how low you can wear your bathing trunks, bet you can't see his skin colored suspenders. He was told to leave the pool because checks and yards of old wrinkled skin were not allowed togather.

Once we are at the pool the old folks short term memory kicks in, here Judy starts to remove her sweats while Lennis shines his rear bumper. (he has nor been in the water yet)

Judy forgets her sweats are around her knees and starts to stroll over and greet someone she does not even know 9 us old folks have been around so long that everyone we see looks like someone from our past, so we talk to a lot of folks we don't know, (an the other old foks thing we look loke someone they use to know---you get the idea)

Lennis ,who was distracted, offers to help Judy with her pants, and catches her before she falls. Chivelry is not dead, only growing old.

Judy points out a picture of me from 1964, I had a full head of hair and was very slim, Judith reminds her that I have never been 7 ft tall and that must be someone else.

Lennis takes all the chair cushions and piles them on the coutch then takes a power nap. The neighbors came over to ask if we could turn the TV down--we woke Lennis up.

Judy has to go outside to read and have some peace and quiet, the blanket is ever present , as old folks can't seem to decide if they are hot or cold. Lennis is adjusting the air condition while the gals sit around with 3/4 layers of clothes and the blankets around thier sholders. Lennis has all the cushions so the gal have to sit in the outside chairs.

Only one full day remaining--and we have a weeks of things to do.

Tomorrow is a major shopping day, Jana & Murray (Daughter & Son-in -law) are having a baby boy in Aug so we have to go out tomorrow and get some John Deer pedal toys.

Left over pictures from Park visit, Thursday 26 Feb

Lake Fontana, this shot taken from the dam looking up the lake, the water level is about 60 ft below normal, it wil take a lot of rain to bring the level up.

Lots of ice along the road driving through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It snowed last Sat night and this road was closed when Judy and Lennis moved from Jody's last Sunday. The ice forms along the cuts as the water seeps out.

Someone had aready broken off the icecicles at this location, I was telling Lennis to be carefull the ice was slick.

Finally got Lennis in position for a picture and I was talking to the ice, picture may look better with me facing the other way.

This is the farmstead located at the southern entrance to the park near Cherokee, NC. The weather was nice for our big adventure, about 64 with some clouds.

We stoped for lunch near the Dragon Road not to far from Fontana Village, we are good at eating (we have not missed a meal yet).

Lots of bikers come from long distance to ride the "Dragon".

The friendly dragon, at Stecoah, NC. All in all it was a great day.

Hope you have enjoyed the pictures.

Our Day @ Fontana & The National Park

I am having trouble uploading pictures from today's travel, will try and post the other shots in the morning. Enjoy the few I got uploaded.

We drove the Dragon Trail on US 129, 11 miles with 300 turns, curves and switchbacks. Then we were ready for lunch. Lots of bikers travel to this are4a to ride the "DRAGON", a famous strech of road.

Standing on Fontana Dam, trying to throw Judith in the lake, which was very low, about 60 foot below normal, still a drought in this part of the country.

Back wal of the dam, the highest dam East of the Mississippi, part of the TVA, 480 deep 2220 feet accrost, very impressive.

The bopsi kids somewhere along the drive. The drive was 160 miles today which took us around the Western end of the park then we drove up the middle taking US 441, a beautiful drive.

There are wood carvers all along the route, manu unuasual looking pieces, these are eagles in a tree, and of course the "WERE Number ONE "sign.

Carvings of the bears (male and female) using the facilities.

THE DRAGON>

Gal laying on a pig on wheels, suppose to dipict a Harley Hog with lady rider.

And we finally found a picture of Dolly

Remember the "Good Old Days"

Remember the good old days when outdoor toilets were the norm, and you were high class if you had a two holier? Here's one alongside the road that has seen its better days, makes you glad that Sears still has slick paper in its catalogue.

Still lots of ice here in the mountains.
The gals went to the outlet malls and Lennis and I went to Dolly Wood, everything was closed except the gift shop, they never miss a chance to take a buck.

Lennis checks out the map, this is a great way to enjoy the park---no one else around.

We checked out this "Motor Home", a real classic , 1958 flat bed truck and a 1928 house with both front and back porch ( the color was optional).

We went to Dolly Parton's "Dixie Stampede" dinner attraction, what a dinner, you watch How the West was Won while eating supper (live horses/ mules & pigs, I thought I was at Mule Days), they are fearful of you hurting yourself so they don't issue any knives, forks or spoons, what a fun meal. We caught one of the young actors and held her for pictures.

Live bluegrass music, got us in the mood for live horses with our meal (these guys were good)


Look like deer caught in the headlights, these folks were waiting to be served--don't they look hungry? We had a whole chicken (no knives), sliced pork (no forks), backed potato, soup (no spoon) and a desert that had to be eaten in the dark--this we call fun. (and we enjoyed the show and the food was not half bad)

When they add me to the picture it gives everyone more class (I didn't say high class), The little brown bowl, with handle was the soup bowl)

The gals had to have a picture with the Cowboy (he sitting on his horse,) he claimed he new where Benson was and had even been to Mule Days (but I am not too sure).

All in all another great day with great friends. Tomorrow is park day (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) and may be a short forced march---more tomorrow night ( if we don't become bear food).

Day two or three-so relaxed I can't remember

Another day in paradise. We rise about noon, eat until one, then shop until five, return tol the condo, complain about the day being so short, drink box wine, all fall asleep on the couch watching the weather channel, what a great life. Wish you were all here to enjoy with us.

This is how the Whittington's look with full tummies, the Cracker Barrel plans to have a special day for us before we depart, we have single handed put them on the road to recovery

Lee's en joying brunch ( we don't get out in time for breakfast, we have to eat someplace that serves breakfast all day long). It took us an extra hour to dress so we would all match for the pictures.

The LOVELY MATCHING LADIES. No clashing colors.

The old court house, we did not have time to stop and visit ( no shopping area here) the picture had to be taken from the window as we drove past.

Lennis shopping, Larry supervising, not sure where the girls are. Lennis and Judy had never visited a Bass Pro Shop. Lennis and I are going back when the girls go to the factory stores.

We even went to the ball park, and found this great sign for WAMPLER's sausage.

We found an old nag (the one in the middle) that followed the gals around the store, but they would not allow us to bring it home.

The 4 AMIGOS.

The Judys with their new friend in the background.

Our condo is nice but small, we can't all sit on the porch at the same time. We think it may have been built for "Little People". This shot was taken at the local antique barn, lots of odd items, us old folks fit right in.