Thursday, October 9, 2008

Andrew Johnson & Davy Crockett


We finally got a little bit of sun and went sightseeing. Today, it was the birthplace of Davy Crockett and the home of Andrew Johnson, the 17th President.

We shared the Crockett Park and Museum with 4 buses of school children. Not surprisingly, the 3 pooches upstaged the docents explaining the Crockett artifacts and conservation. A side trip to the nearby stream was a hit with Kathleen, but not the dogs! Tiger especially hates water!


Johnson is the president that succeeded Lincoln after Lincoln was shot and who escaped impeachment conviction by one vote. It was interesting to see the museum's take on that... seems he was very much "states' rights" and against Congress' vengeful reconstruction policies toward the South. The final blow was when he fired Secretary of War Stanton who had been appointed by Lincoln. Congress said he couldn't do that; he said he could. Ergo, the impeachment. Years later the Supreme Court upheld his position.

And, this display was especially interesting to Kathleen who is a distant relative of Hannibal Hamlin who was replaced by Johnson as Vice President when Lincoln ran the 2nd time. It is also the only known campaign poster to show Lincoln without a beard.




Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Bristol, TN


Today, we drove up to State St., Bristol, TN, where the state border with VA runs down the center of the street. Lots of antique shops and a very good lunch.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Back at Rocky Top

Four days to enjoy life

John Boyd

Sunday, October 5, 2008

On the Road

We were in Windsor, NY this morning. Another beautiful campground that you don't want to drive to. After our drive into & out of the camp, our red Prius is beige.

We drove through beautiful country (NY, PA, MD, WV and VA) and are set for the night, nestled in the trees. Tomorrow on to TN and a stop for 4 days back at Rocky Top RV Camp. And, we are finally warming up and seeing some sun!

John Boyd

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Oquaga Lake, NY

An idyllic setting with beautiful Fall hued trees and serene lake enjoyed while sitting and visiting with old friends. We spent the afternoon visiting Kathleen's friends from high school (Sandy, Carol & Ron) at Carol and Ron's cottage at Oquaga Lake. Views of the lake and the "girls" and Sandy's husband, Bob.

John Boyd

Friday, October 3, 2008

Endicott, NY


Kathleen's sister Ruth Ann, her Mom and the 5 of us drove to Endicott and past Ruth Ann and Kathleen's childhood home. Nephew Danny bought the house and is living there now with his dog, Riley. The old neighboors are dwindling. One or two of those homes are now lived in by their children or grandchildren, too. But the childhood friends have all moved on. Drove by Union-Endicott High School, down the streets where the nearly deserted IBM factories are located and where now empty parking lots replaced the shoe factories and tannery. Ended the tour at Pancho's Pit and having speidis for lunch. Tomorrow, we head south, following the snow geese!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

US Route 20

US Route 20 is listed as one of the Scenic By-Ways in this area. So, we took Kathleen's mother out for a ride. Fortunately, the sun did come out and the leaves were beautiful. Neat old houses in the towns along the way

John Boyd