End of Amazon.com 2013

Staying at Green River Lake State Park was definitely a plus to our stay this time while we worked at Amazon.com from October through December.  Our site was spacious with a concrete patio (which kept the rain puddles away) and the dogs were able to run around our site with no hindrance.  Our fellow workampers staying around us were all great people and we really enjoyed making new friends.  The hardest part was leaving everyone since we all go our separate ways and we hope to be able to meet up with some of them in the future. 

General George Patton Museum, Fort Knox, Kentucky

We visited the George Patton Museum of Leadership located on the Fort Knox base. Drove by the actual Fort Knox where all the gold is stored, but did not have time to stop in there. The George Patton Museum of Leadership is the U.S. Army's only museum dedicated to the history of Army leadership at all levels and ranks. It operated as the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor from 1949-2010, when it began transformation to its new theme and storyline.

Mountain Walk, Tremont Outdoor Resort, Townsend, Tennessee

Up the mountain behind the campground where I walk the dogs. Lots of clouds this morning covering the Smoky Mountains. This is also where the Mountain Laurel is blooming. This afternoon the clouds have gone and the sun is out with temps into the 80s.

Tail of the Dragon, Tennessee

Deals Gap is a popular and internationally famous destination for driving enthusiasts, as it is located along a stretch of a two-lane road known as The Dragon (or The Tail of the Dragon). The 11-mile stretch of the Dragon in Tennessee is said to contain 318 curves. The road segment earned its name from its curves resembling the back or tail of a dragon. The stretch bears the street name Tapoco Road in North Carolina and Calderwood Highway in Tennessee and is signed entirely by U.S. Highway 129. 

Tremont Outdoor Resort, Townsend, Tennessee

Arrived at Tremont Outdoor Resort on March 7, 2013 and got settled in our spot with the help of the manager, Jesse, and one of the other workampers, Scott.  Good gravel driveway and a little grassy spot to the back.  We have two gnomes off to one side next to the fence and a deck in the back with a picnic table.  Put in the Double Down Dog Run in the back near the table for the girls. Got settled in on Friday and Saturday, washing the truck and trailer and going to the grocery store in Townsend for a few things. (The resort is not Tremont anymore, but is now called Little Arrow Outdoor Resort.)

Smoky Mountain National Park, Cades Cove, Newfound Gap & Clingman's Dome

Enjoyed a drive on March 20, the first day of spring, on the Foothills Parkway starting just outside of Townsend, driving south to Route 129. Found a place where we will want to take a short hike on Look Rock Tower Trail. The tower provides a 360 degree panoramic view of the Smokies. West is the Tennessee River Valley toward the Cumberland Mountains.  The Look Rock tower is used by scientists to study air quality. While it is not directly in the park, I have included pictures of the area as it's all part of the Smoky Mountain National Park system.

TCT Rally - Brooksville, Florida - February 2013

Got to Sertoma Youth Ranch on Wednesday afternoon and shortly after setting up Bill & Julie pulled in.  They set up next to us and we walked around the park a little to see what is going on.  Later we drove into Dade City, just 12 miles south of the campground to meet up with Lisa and have dinner at a Mexican Restaurant.  Met Forrest and his wife Jerry at the same place and they joined us for dinner. 

Had a great week visiting with Bill & Julie as well as the other members of Tin Can Tourists. We do not get to see them very often anymore; saw a lot of each other when our kids were growing up, but now they are all grown up and living their own lives. Met Lisa for dinner in Dade City the first night we arrived; the rest of the week events were planned by the TCT, including dinner and a band on Friday night. Went into Dade City a few times, visiting antique shops and an old hardware store that had everything one could think of, and very old stuff as well.