On Friday we left Chattanooga and headed further south and east - this time to Savannah, GA. Our campground for this stay was the Savannah Oaks Campground, about 12 miles from the historic section of Savannah.
Saturday we drove to the Georgia State Railroad Museum. Southern Railway began demolishing several structures on the site of the Savannah Repair Shops. Concerned citizens halted the destruction and Southern Railway transferred the property to the City of Savannah. In 1978 the Central Savannah Railroad facilities were recognized as a National Historic Landmark District. In 1989 Coastal Heritage Society accepted management of the site. Many of these structures have been restored. The buildings serve as interpretive and exhibit spaces for the Georgia State Railroad museum. The former Central Repair Shops are now the largest and most complete antebellum railroad facility of its kind in the world. Programs on Friday/Saturday include site tours by steam engine, a railcar tour, and an Executive Railcar tour. Across the street in the old passenger station is the Savannah history museum. It walks guests through Savannah's history from 1733 spanning the American Revolution and Civil War; all the way to the modern day.
Sunday we drove to Tybee Island Light Station and Museum. The lighthouse was built in 1773. IT was the 3rd lighthouse to be built on Tybee. In 1861 it was burned by the confederates and rebuilt in 1867. The bottom 60 feet are the original 1773 Lighthouse and the top 85 feet were reconstructed in 1867.
Our last stop was Fort Pulaski National Monument where on April 10-11 Union forces bombarded the fort for 30 hours and forced the surrender of the Confederate garrison.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Pictures - Chattanooga's Rock City
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| 180 Ft. Swing -A-Long Bridge |
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| Lover's Leap |
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| Sweeping view of the TN Valle from See 7 States Flag Court |
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| On Lover's Leap |
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| In case we forget what year we were here...... |
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| Fat Man Squeeze |
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| The Falls at Lover's Leap |
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| The Fairy Tale Cavern |
Monday, October 23, 2017
Chattanooga, TN October 9-12, 2017
From Kentucky we drove to Chattanooga, TN and camped at Raccoon Mountain Campground. Our main purpose in coming to TN was to visit the Chattanooga train museum. Tuesday morning we found our way to the train museum but it was closed because of a water line break so we walked through the yard and checked out the rolling stock. We were given free tickets for the Wednesday train ride because it was cancelled on Tuesday. From there we revisited the Chicamauga/Chattanooga National Military Park and visited the museum and saw the movie on the battle. We didn't drive the battlefield, as we had done that on a previous visit.
Wednesday we went back to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum to ride the 10:40 train. The train was packed! There were two tour buses there as well as families with little ones riding the train for the first time. They had to add an extra coach for the overflow. We road 6 miles and then watched as the engine was turned around on the turntable, and we also visited their repair shop.
That afternoon we visited Rock City, atop Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga. National Geographic called it "one of America's Top 101 places to visit." Rock City is a botanical and geological wonder. Along the walk through the woodland garden path, over 400 different species of plants, trees and shrubs can be viewed. Lover's Leap, Observation Point and Seven States Flag Court offer some of the most spectacular and sweeping views found anywhere in the world. Since we were on Lookout mountain we also visited the site of the battle of Chattanooga.
On Thursday we visited the International Towing and Recovery Museum. It exhibits tow trucks and towing equipment dating back to 1916. We learned that 1 tow truck driver dies on the highways every 6 days.
Wednesday we went back to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum to ride the 10:40 train. The train was packed! There were two tour buses there as well as families with little ones riding the train for the first time. They had to add an extra coach for the overflow. We road 6 miles and then watched as the engine was turned around on the turntable, and we also visited their repair shop.
That afternoon we visited Rock City, atop Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga. National Geographic called it "one of America's Top 101 places to visit." Rock City is a botanical and geological wonder. Along the walk through the woodland garden path, over 400 different species of plants, trees and shrubs can be viewed. Lover's Leap, Observation Point and Seven States Flag Court offer some of the most spectacular and sweeping views found anywhere in the world. Since we were on Lookout mountain we also visited the site of the battle of Chattanooga.
On Thursday we visited the International Towing and Recovery Museum. It exhibits tow trucks and towing equipment dating back to 1916. We learned that 1 tow truck driver dies on the highways every 6 days.
The Ark Experience-Williamstown, KY
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| The first view of the Ark |
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| Walking the ramp into the Ark |
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| Watering and feeding system |
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| A closer look at the feeding/watering system |
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| Grain storage |
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| Another feeding system from above |
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| Another watering system also from above |
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Pictures - Oktoberfest Amana, Iowa
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| Floral decorations - Amana |
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| Preparing to take the Keg to the Festival Barn |
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| On our way to the Festival Barn from the brewery |
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| Barefoot Becky and the band |
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| Just a little fun! |
Thursday, October 19, 2017
More Kentucky
October 6 we traveled to Salva, KY where we camped while visiting Frankfort and Versailles, KY.
We are nestled under a hill with no cell phone service here. No wifi either. We drove into Frankfort Saturday (20 miles) for breakfast and then visited the Kentucky History Museum. Very nice museum with so many exhibits we couldn't cover it all!
From Frankfort we drove to Versailles to see the Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and museum. The pumpkin train left at 2 p.m. and we leisurely toured the train museum. The railroad schedules several special events throughout the year including Civil War Trains, Mystery Theater Trains, Ronald McDonald Clown trains, Halloween Haunted Trains, Pumpkin trains, and Santa Claus Trains.
Sunday was rainy, so we drove to Hardee's for breakfast and then to Frankfort for groceries and spent the rest of the day inside.
On Monday we drove to Chattanooga, TN. Tuesday we drove to the TN Valley Railroad museum and walked around looking at the rolling stock. We obtained tickets for Wednesday's train ride, and then drove to the Chickamauga/Chattanooga National Military Park where we saw the movie and toured the museum. We had been here previously, so did not drive the battlefield.
The train ride was only 6 miles, but we were able to watch the engine being turned around on their turntable, and visited their repair shop. After lunch we visited Rock City. More on that in my next posting.
We are nestled under a hill with no cell phone service here. No wifi either. We drove into Frankfort Saturday (20 miles) for breakfast and then visited the Kentucky History Museum. Very nice museum with so many exhibits we couldn't cover it all!
From Frankfort we drove to Versailles to see the Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and museum. The pumpkin train left at 2 p.m. and we leisurely toured the train museum. The railroad schedules several special events throughout the year including Civil War Trains, Mystery Theater Trains, Ronald McDonald Clown trains, Halloween Haunted Trains, Pumpkin trains, and Santa Claus Trains.
Sunday was rainy, so we drove to Hardee's for breakfast and then to Frankfort for groceries and spent the rest of the day inside.
On Monday we drove to Chattanooga, TN. Tuesday we drove to the TN Valley Railroad museum and walked around looking at the rolling stock. We obtained tickets for Wednesday's train ride, and then drove to the Chickamauga/Chattanooga National Military Park where we saw the movie and toured the museum. We had been here previously, so did not drive the battlefield.
The train ride was only 6 miles, but we were able to watch the engine being turned around on their turntable, and visited their repair shop. After lunch we visited Rock City. More on that in my next posting.
The Ark Experience -
Nestled in the little town of Williamstown, KY is a museum that is called the Ark Encounter. As you ride the bus from the parking lot to the Ark, you are amazed by the sheer size of the Ark. It is 1.5 football fields long, 85 feet wide and 51 feet high. At 7 stories tall, it is the largest timber frame structure in the world. As you tour the Ark Encounter you learn that it is three exhibits in one. The Ark, built to God's specifications is one exhibit. The craftsmanship is itself an exhibit and all 3 decks of the Ark are full of state-of-the-Art exhibits that amaze and inspire.
Deck 1 has animal exhibits while learning which types of creatures, and how many of each were brought on board; Deck 2 has an array of exhibits detailing how Noah's family could have maintained the Ark and cared for thousands of animals during the flood; Deck 3 displays living quarters and then discusses the impact of the flood on the world.
The decks contain cages for the animals, ideas of how Noah was able to feed all the animals and dispose of waste. There are suggestions as to the number of species that were on the Ark, and proposed ideas as to how Noah and his family lived on the Ark. There is so much to see and read that we opted to buy a 2-day ticket so that we could take our time and really study the proposals and solutions that were suggested with research.
In addition to the Ark itself, there is a zoo called the Ararat Ridge Zoo with exotic animals like Tibetan yaks, kangaroos, emus, and ostriches. There is also a petting zoo and camel and donkey rides. For the braver souls, there is a Screaming Eagle Zip lines and Aerial Adventure.
Deck 1 has animal exhibits while learning which types of creatures, and how many of each were brought on board; Deck 2 has an array of exhibits detailing how Noah's family could have maintained the Ark and cared for thousands of animals during the flood; Deck 3 displays living quarters and then discusses the impact of the flood on the world.
The decks contain cages for the animals, ideas of how Noah was able to feed all the animals and dispose of waste. There are suggestions as to the number of species that were on the Ark, and proposed ideas as to how Noah and his family lived on the Ark. There is so much to see and read that we opted to buy a 2-day ticket so that we could take our time and really study the proposals and solutions that were suggested with research.
In addition to the Ark itself, there is a zoo called the Ararat Ridge Zoo with exotic animals like Tibetan yaks, kangaroos, emus, and ostriches. There is also a petting zoo and camel and donkey rides. For the braver souls, there is a Screaming Eagle Zip lines and Aerial Adventure.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Pictures - Lake Pepin, MN; Red Wing, MN
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| Pearl of the Lake, Lake Pepin MN |
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| Enjoying the ride |
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| The Bluffs on the Wisconsin side |
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| Lake Pepin Marina/Lighthouse |
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| Red Wing Pottery Museum |
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| Red Wing Art glass |
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| Did someone say CROCKS???? |
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| The Red Wing Pottery Museum, Red Wing, MN |
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| Red Wing Shoe Label |
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| Red Wing Shoe Museum |
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| More Red WIng Pottery - CROCKS! |
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Pictures - Itasca State Park, Tea SD, Durant, WI
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| Fairmont Motor Car - near Durant, WI |
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| Brenda on the "chick" car |
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| Sister Dominic and Jean |
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| Headwaters of the Mississippi - Itasca State Park |
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| The "official" marker |
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| Jean at the headwaters |
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| Jack and I on the boardwalk |
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| Niece Barb Walter and Jean at SD State Fair |
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| JoAnn Burkard and grandson |
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| Burkard Reunion at Tea SD |
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| Food! Burkard Reunion |
Friday, October 6, 2017
Amana, IA Oktoberfest
We arrived in Amana on Thursday afternoon in anticipation of the start of Oktoberfest on Friday., We ate supper at Phat Daddy's pizza cafe. We met another couple from Lenoir, NC who were camped near by. They make musical instruments and were working at another location in IA, so
Did not attend Oktoberfest. We had breakfast at the bakery - YUM! And then went to the Visitor's Center to purchase our Oktoberfest tickets and buy t-shirts. We visited the General Store and the Woolen Mill as well as the Furniture Store and at 2 went to the brewery to walk with the keg of beer to the Festhalle for the traditional tapping of the keg. Stayed to listen to Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchmen play polkas and waltzes. It was hard to sit still!
Saturday we went into town early (8:00) and had German pancakes at Ronnenburg restaurant. Good thing we went early, as there was a big crowd waiting to be seated for breakfast by the time we left. Found a place to watch the parade on the cement wall by the Ox Yoke Inn. After the parade we visited the leather store.
Sunday we went to Mass at St. Patrick's in Marengo and then came back to Amana and had breakfast at the bakery. Stopped at a clothing store so I could show Jack a hat I liked; and then went to the Grape Vine Antiqu store and then sat our side and listed to Barefoot Becky at noon.
Hope to come to Oktoberfest again next year from October 5-7, 2018.
Did not attend Oktoberfest. We had breakfast at the bakery - YUM! And then went to the Visitor's Center to purchase our Oktoberfest tickets and buy t-shirts. We visited the General Store and the Woolen Mill as well as the Furniture Store and at 2 went to the brewery to walk with the keg of beer to the Festhalle for the traditional tapping of the keg. Stayed to listen to Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchmen play polkas and waltzes. It was hard to sit still!
Saturday we went into town early (8:00) and had German pancakes at Ronnenburg restaurant. Good thing we went early, as there was a big crowd waiting to be seated for breakfast by the time we left. Found a place to watch the parade on the cement wall by the Ox Yoke Inn. After the parade we visited the leather store.
Sunday we went to Mass at St. Patrick's in Marengo and then came back to Amana and had breakfast at the bakery. Stopped at a clothing store so I could show Jack a hat I liked; and then went to the Grape Vine Antiqu store and then sat our side and listed to Barefoot Becky at noon.
Hope to come to Oktoberfest again next year from October 5-7, 2018.
Red Wing, MN 9/25 - 9/27,2017
On September 23 we left Fairmont for Red Wing, MN. We camped at the Treasure Island Casino outside of Red Wing. It's a huge facility - casino, RV park, hotel and event center run by the Dakota Indians.
Tuesday, September 24 we visited the Goodhue County Historical Museum in the morning. The exhibit I enjoyed the most was the information on the 1980's. We played a music game where we had to name the singer, and enjoyed the agricultural exhibit. After lunch we went to see the Red Wing Pottery Museum. Red Wing has a history of producing clay products dating back to the mid 1800's. Clay was hauled into town by horse-drawn wagons and later by train from the clay pits southwest of Red Wing. The MN Stoneware Co. and the North Star Stoneware Company also opened factoriea and because of fierce competition it was in the best interest for the thee to merge. Stoneware products had to change with the advent of refrigeration and affordable glass. They shifted their focus to art Pottery no dinnerware in the 1920's. A labor dispute, foreign competition, and economics led to Red Wing Potteries ending production and closing in 1967. The museum is free and has extensive exhibits of all the various products produced from clay crocks to beautiful art pieces and sets of dinnerware. We'll worth the trip to the Museum!
On Wednesday we visited the Red Wing Shoe Museum and store and enjoyed the film on the making of Red Wing work boots and had our picture taken by the 20 ft. Tall work boot. Drove to Lake City and had a 1 1/2 hour tour aboard the Pearl of the Lake Riverboat on Lake Pepin. Hope to go back next year later in the season to see the fall leaves along the Mississippi River.
Thursday we drove from Red Wing, MN to Amana, IA for the Oktoberfest.
Tuesday, September 24 we visited the Goodhue County Historical Museum in the morning. The exhibit I enjoyed the most was the information on the 1980's. We played a music game where we had to name the singer, and enjoyed the agricultural exhibit. After lunch we went to see the Red Wing Pottery Museum. Red Wing has a history of producing clay products dating back to the mid 1800's. Clay was hauled into town by horse-drawn wagons and later by train from the clay pits southwest of Red Wing. The MN Stoneware Co. and the North Star Stoneware Company also opened factoriea and because of fierce competition it was in the best interest for the thee to merge. Stoneware products had to change with the advent of refrigeration and affordable glass. They shifted their focus to art Pottery no dinnerware in the 1920's. A labor dispute, foreign competition, and economics led to Red Wing Potteries ending production and closing in 1967. The museum is free and has extensive exhibits of all the various products produced from clay crocks to beautiful art pieces and sets of dinnerware. We'll worth the trip to the Museum!
On Wednesday we visited the Red Wing Shoe Museum and store and enjoyed the film on the making of Red Wing work boots and had our picture taken by the 20 ft. Tall work boot. Drove to Lake City and had a 1 1/2 hour tour aboard the Pearl of the Lake Riverboat on Lake Pepin. Hope to go back next year later in the season to see the fall leaves along the Mississippi River.
Thursday we drove from Red Wing, MN to Amana, IA for the Oktoberfest.
September 22 - 24, 2017
September 22 was our 53rd wedding anniversary and we celebrated all day! We met Betty at Perkins for breakfast and then left Worthington for Fairmont, MN and Helen Kehoe's house. Helen Kehoe, Jack and I went to the Channel Inn for supper - great food, but VERY noisy!
September 23 I washed 2 loads of clothes at Helen's, made a one-pot spaghetti for supper and after lunch Helen and I went shopping. I got a new travel purse, a spatula for jars, and a small collapseable strainer. Helen bought a apple slicer and a credit card holder and small purse. Sarah called me after supper to answer a lot of questions for her gerontology class.
September 24 we went back to Helen's and went to Bean Town restaurant for lunch, and then Helen and I went to Shopko and then watched Florence Foster Jenkins, a movie on a NYC socialite .
Helen and I had each started African Violets and exchanged them during our visit. WE worked on her 1500 piece puzzle, and played Words with Friends. Had a great time!
September 23 I washed 2 loads of clothes at Helen's, made a one-pot spaghetti for supper and after lunch Helen and I went shopping. I got a new travel purse, a spatula for jars, and a small collapseable strainer. Helen bought a apple slicer and a credit card holder and small purse. Sarah called me after supper to answer a lot of questions for her gerontology class.
September 24 we went back to Helen's and went to Bean Town restaurant for lunch, and then Helen and I went to Shopko and then watched Florence Foster Jenkins, a movie on a NYC socialite .
Helen and I had each started African Violets and exchanged them during our visit. WE worked on her 1500 piece puzzle, and played Words with Friends. Had a great time!
More relatives! September 3-22, 2017
We drove from Sioux Falls to Mankato, MN to spend time with my sister, Sister Mary Dominic at Good Counsel Motherhouse on September 3.
September 4 we were in Chaska visiting with Steve and Corine, Susie and Scott Krych, Ann, Matthew and Abbie Renfro. September 7 we visited with Ralph and Carol Schultz and Frank Siegler in Belle Plaine, MN. September 8 Dominic, Jack and I met our 1st cousin Nancy Espeland at the Amboy Cottage Cafe. September 10 we drove to Tea, SD to the Burkard family reunion.
September 11 Dominic, Jack and I drove to Durand, WI with Brenda and Jim Schoenberg to take a ride on Jim's rebuilt Fairmont Motor Car. It was a blast! (A bit hard on the behind, however, as we were sitting on a bench with no cushion!). September 12 we met Ben and Nancy Espeland at the Amboy Cafe for breakfast and then went to Winnebago to tour their history museum and had lunch at Nancy and Ben's. In the evening we had a great time with Art and Char Schuch. September 13 I drove over to Belle Plaine and had lunch with Jan Raddatz. On Sunday 9/17 Art and Char joined us for the afternoon at Good Counsel.
Many thanks to Dom for all the cribbage games I lost; to Sr. Rose Anthony Krebs and Sr. Rose Marie for joining us for many evenings of Golf (card game), King's Corners, and Bananas.
September 18 - 21 we were in Worthington and the first night we went to Rod and JoAnn's; The 19th , 20th and 21st we spent the afternoons with Betty Burkard, and "supervised" Kelly Brake and Michelle Brunk's garage sale at Betty's. Bought/was given some really neat stuff. On 9/21 evening we enjoyed pizza with Kathy and Duane Burkard, Michelle, and Betty.
September 4 we were in Chaska visiting with Steve and Corine, Susie and Scott Krych, Ann, Matthew and Abbie Renfro. September 7 we visited with Ralph and Carol Schultz and Frank Siegler in Belle Plaine, MN. September 8 Dominic, Jack and I met our 1st cousin Nancy Espeland at the Amboy Cottage Cafe. September 10 we drove to Tea, SD to the Burkard family reunion.
September 11 Dominic, Jack and I drove to Durand, WI with Brenda and Jim Schoenberg to take a ride on Jim's rebuilt Fairmont Motor Car. It was a blast! (A bit hard on the behind, however, as we were sitting on a bench with no cushion!). September 12 we met Ben and Nancy Espeland at the Amboy Cafe for breakfast and then went to Winnebago to tour their history museum and had lunch at Nancy and Ben's. In the evening we had a great time with Art and Char Schuch. September 13 I drove over to Belle Plaine and had lunch with Jan Raddatz. On Sunday 9/17 Art and Char joined us for the afternoon at Good Counsel.
Many thanks to Dom for all the cribbage games I lost; to Sr. Rose Anthony Krebs and Sr. Rose Marie for joining us for many evenings of Golf (card game), King's Corners, and Bananas.
September 18 - 21 we were in Worthington and the first night we went to Rod and JoAnn's; The 19th , 20th and 21st we spent the afternoons with Betty Burkard, and "supervised" Kelly Brake and Michelle Brunk's garage sale at Betty's. Bought/was given some really neat stuff. On 9/21 evening we enjoyed pizza with Kathy and Duane Burkard, Michelle, and Betty.
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