Note the map: Knoxville upper left, Sevierville in the center, red circle; Gatlinburg lower right red circle,
and Townsend within the lower center red circle.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is all of the green.
Oak Ridge is some 25 miles NW of Knoxville. (See map above)
Oak Ridge was established in the early 1940s as a base for the Manhattan Project - the
massive U.S. government operation that developed the atomic bomb.
As such, scientific development still plays a crucial role in the city's economy and culture in general.
The military liked the area for several reasons.
Its relatively low population made acquisition affordable, yet the area was accessible by both highway and rail,
and utilities such as water and electricity were readily available due to the recent completion of Norris Dam.
With Tennessee's history as a right-to-work state, Union rules or civilian wage issues were virtually non-existent.
Finally, the project location was established within a 17-mile (27-km) long valley, and the valley itself was linear
and partitioned by several ridges, providing natural protection against disasters between the four
major industrial plants -- so they wouldn't blow up "like firecrackers on a string".
The location and low population also
helped keep the town a secret. Although the population of the
settlement
grew from about 3,000 in 1942 to about 75,000 in 1945, and
despite the fact that the K-25 uranium-separating facility by
itself covered 44 acres
and was the largest building in the world at that time, Oak
Ridge was kept an official government secret.
It did not appear on maps, and wasn't formally named until 1949,
only being referred to as the Clinton Engineering Works (CEW).
All workers wore badges, and the town was surrounded by guard
towers and a fence with seven gates.
Construction personnel swelled the wartime population of
Oak Ridge to as much as 70,000.
That dramatic population increase, and the secret nature of the
project, meant chronic shortages
of housing and supplies during
the war years.
The news of the use of the first atomic bomb against Japan
on August 6, 1945 revealed to the people
at Oak Ridge what they
had been working on.
Currently, the Department of Energy runs a nuclear and high-tech
research establishment at the
site and performs national
security work.
The current population of Oak Ridge is about 27,000.
They have a fine museum which recalls the history of the Manhattan Project,
And brings the viewer up to date, to a limited degree as to the current projects, in a general way.
We visited Oak Ridge a number of years ago, before 9/11.
Some of the places we saw then are no longer available for viewing.
A remnant of the past.
Anyone who lived during WW-II will remember hearing of the Norden Bombsight, which was
used to drop the A-bombs.
At the museum entrance, is this metal sculpture of NYC's Twin Towers.
Made from metal debris collected from the Twin Towers site.
And we wouldn't be able to leave the Oak Ridge area without visiting our good friends
Jim and Kay Autrey, who live here in Oak Ridge.
Here, they spot us as they rounded the corner outside the restaurant.
Good to see them both again....
We also visited the Museum of Appalachia.
An interesting living history collection of the people and customs of the folks living in this area of the country.
One of the few remaining 13 star flag - the original flag of the colonies.
And, of course, being a "Bell Head" (Bell System employee), we had to have a photo of this.
A Whiskey Still, no longer used, they say.
And as we neared the conclusion of our visit, The Mystery Mountain Boys gathered to entertain us.
The south = Kudzu It takes over.
For those of you from the northern climes: Kudzu is a climbing, woody or semi-woody perennial vine
capable of reaching heights of 66-98 ft in trees, but also
scrambles extensively over lower vegetation.
Once established, these plants grow rapidly, extending
as much as 60 ft per
season at a rate of about 12 in per day.
Kudzu grows well under a wide range of conditions and
in most soil types. Preferred habitats
are forest edges,
abandoned fields,
roadsides, and disturbed areas, where sunlight is abundant.
Kudzu grows best where winters do not
drop below 5 °F, average summer temperatures
are regularly above
80 °F, and annual rainfall is 40 in or more.
(above & below)
We come in to Townsend, Tennessee on August 28th.
We are very fond of the Townsend area, the Peaceful Side of the Smokies.
Townsend is a small peaceful town, with only 300 some voters.
We decide to just kick back here in eastern Tenn, relaxing after our months of travels.
We have settled into our RV space in Townsend
We will be here for about a week. A great place right next to the Little River.
It wasn't long after we settled in, when we noticed groups of tubers floating down the Little River.
From small to large collections of folks enjoying a lazy warm day on the river.
We spent much of Labor Day weekend kicking back in the shade, under the trees,
reading and watching the folks floating in their tubes down the river.
(above & below)
And of course, our first visit was with our long time Townsend friends,
Bob and Julie Schirack.
In Bob & Julie's Garden of Honor, was a "Herky" (Univ. of Iowa's mascot/logo) to welcome us.
One night for dinner, we drove up in the mountains, to a friend who has a Bakery
& Pizza operation in the side yard. So we ordered 'two to go.'
And it wasn't long, and one of the pizza was in the brick oven and would soon be ready for us.
We came back to their home, enjoyed our pizza, and then discussed the world situation,
and any other situation that warranted discussion, comfortable in their Cadillac Lounge
in their back yard by the side of the Little River.
On Labor Day, Sept. 1st, we took another ride into the Tennessee hills around Townsend.
Bob is saying, Not another picture?...
Saw some beautiful gardens...
Went up to a friends home to see the beautiful view he has of the nearby hills.
And visited Gene Webb's carving studio
to see some of his artistic endeavors.
Gene is a true woodcarving artist.
Stopped in for a lunch hot dog, and saw this offer of a free ride in a police car.
We declined...
On September 4th (thru the 8th) we moved over to Sevierville, (see map, top)
just 20 miles from Townsend,
for the 2008 Phoenix Cruiser Owner's gathering.
So we set up, and looked around, and we saw.....
...many many Phoenix Cruiser's most everywhere we looked.
The member's signboard stand.
(Not everyone had checked in yet when this was taken.)
The greatest member gathering ever, some 50 or so units.
They came from far and wide...
Our first night's "meet & greet."
Kermit Fisher, (back to the door) President of Phoenix USA RV
talking to a pair of owners.
During the Club business meeting, after breakfast on the 5th, we heard from the club
Secretary, President and V.P.
Our 2009 gathering will be in Plymouth, CA - just east of Sacramento.
Kermit, gave us a report of the state of the Phoenix USA RV business, and
what he is working on for the 2009 models.
During the evening's Pot Luck Dinner, everyone had their fill of delicious vittles.
(above & below)
At our final evenings dinner, there was certainly enough for all.
We were able to view a slide show next years destination as we enjoyed our meal.
As we left Sevierville to return to Townsend on Sept. 9th we passed this.
You figure it out...
The road between Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg is just one long
collection of tourist attractions.
On 9/9 we returned to Townsend, this time in a KOA Campground
again, we have a space right by the Little River.
A GREAT spot to spend our next 9 days in Tennessee
as we further explore this part of the state.
One evening, Bob & Julie invited us, along with Mike Hickman
who played the part of "Birdseye" in both the TV series of "Christy," and in "Christy, The Musical"
an outdoor theater production. (both based on Catherine Marshall's book, Christy)
Both the TV and the outdoor stage production were
'filmed' or produced/staged in Townsend.
Here is Bob showing us how he he has mastered the art of cooking on his BBQ.
Bob was also featured in the Christy,
The Musical outdoor theater production,
which played for three years in Townsend.
And, there was not much left when we finished dinner.
Thank you Bob & Julie for a delicious dinner.
On Sept 17th we got together for dinner with (R to L)
Stacy, Ed (Eddie), Wes, and Hannah Rodriquez
Stacy starred as Christy in the production of Christy, The Musical
After dinner the family obliged us with a Front Door Photo
at their new home. No trip to eastern Tennessee would be complete without a visit
with these fine folks.
On Sept. 18th we reluctantly left Townsend and headed south toward Sarasota.
But we will always feel welcome in this part of Tennessee thanks to
Hairy Poplar, here with Bob & Julie.
We will always have fond memories of all of of the members
of the Christy, The Musical family, and value their friendships.
Down to Sarasota, FL link.