RiVeting Adventures: GETTYSBURG,GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS, ALABAMA---September 2015

We drove through lovely Pennsylvania and arrived in historic Gettysburg. We loved seeing all the Civil War period brick homes and the Civil War theme everywhere in the area.

We learned so much about the war and loved this whole area. It was a very moving experience to stand on the actual site where so many perished and bravely fought to have the united country we have today.

After we left Pennsylvania we headed for Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As we neared the mountain range we were amazed at how impressive it was. We drove through the Shenandoah Valley and The Blue Ridge Mountains on our way. All national parks and parkways.

The Great Smoky Mountains get their name from the natural fog that hangs over the range and looks like smoke from a distance. This is caused by the vegetation EXHALING organic compounds into the air.

Beautiful views from Clingmans Dome, the highest point
in the Smoky Mountain range.

Clingmans Dome is on the Apalachian Trail. We met
some women who were hiking the Apalachian Trail on
their way north from Georgia. A Real Walk In The Woods!

Lookout tower at Clingmans Dome

Part of the national park is on Cherokee Nation land. Many of
the signs are in the native Cherokee language.

Exotic People

Exotic mushrooms!!!!

Homesteaders lived in homes like these in the Smokies.

At the end of the road we entered into a Cherokee town. This
sign is written in Cherokee

Princess Glass o Wine meets a real Chief

We loved seeing all the redneck and hillbilly things. Lots of fun hillbilly music and moonshine for sale.

Many tributes to two special country gals....Paula Deen and Dolly!

After spending a few days in the Smokies and taking in all the sights we headed south west to Huntsville, Alabama where we met up with Roma Wing....former NES legendary teacher. Roma and I worked together for many years before her retirement 20 years ago. We spent the day with Roma and toured all around her gorgeous town...Madison, and stayed at her beautiful home for a cozy dinner and much conversation. She took us to a restaurant that was a JAIL back in the day. What fun that was. While touring around we passed fields of cotton. Beautiful. We love BAMA!!

Lunch at the JAIL

Roma and I.....CELL MATES

Beautiful cotton fields

While in Huntsville we spent the day at the Huntsville Space Center. It has displays of amazing and various rockets, shuttles, and other space crafts. What a wonderful time we had exploring and learning so many things that are happening in space science. We even saw moon rocks.