Took a day trip down to the Ocoee River and did the Upper/Middle Ocoee. Let's just say the trip didn't start as planned. But I hit the highway early Saturday morning thinking I had plenty of time. Even stopped at Target in Cleveland, TN to pick up a waterproof camera (which I still haven't gotten developed) and a coffee... gotta have my dose of caffeine before something like this. Well needless to say where I thought Ocoee Rafting was... it wasn't. So I quickly stopped and asked for directions (yea... when your deposit hinges on getting there on time you'll stop and get directions). As I was driving up the hill the bus was heading down and off towards the launch point. The management at Ocoee Rafting was awesome... they could have just canceled my trip for being late but they gave me my equipment and said if I can catch the group before they put in then I was good. Let's just say it comes in handy at times to have a gas guzzling Hemi powered truck. I parked and ran up to the boat just to help put it in the water. The Ocoee has over 20 continuous Class III and ...

One day this past Fall, Kaye and I decided to go hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I got online and found Gregory Bald. For those that don’t know or haven’t been hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gregory Bald is a mountain on the western fringe of the Great Smoky Mountains. It has an elevation of 4,949 feet (1,508 meters) above sea level. The mountain's majestic summit makes it a popular hiking destination. Gregory Bald is located along the Tennessee-North Carolina border, between Blount County and Swain County. It rises approximately 3,000 feet above its northern base in Cades Cove, and approximately 3,300 feet above its southern base at Fontana Lake. The mountain is located entirely within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We decided to take Gregory Ridge Trail which begins at the end of Forge Creek Road and is a 5.5 mile trail to the summit. Forge Creek Road is a gravel road on the Cades Cove Loop just past the Cable Mill area, at the very back corner. Which means you have to sit and wait behind all the people stopping on the road to take a picture of a tree or a twig. ...

We took a trip down to Atlanta to spend the day at Six Flags while they had their Fright Fest going on. I knew, but this trip reaffirmed my thoughts that going to Six Flags is merely for the rides. Not the food, atmosphere or anything else besides standing in lines and wondering if the G forces are going to bring back that turkey leg you had for lunch. Speaking of turkey leg, that is about the only thing worth getting there to eat.

Tailgating was great, weather was wonderful for a football game. And of course, we lost. No surprise.

Kaye and I took the Jeep around town for a bit and down by the lake. Enjoying the last of the warmer weather and the colors of Fall.

It was HOT! We didn't make it through halftime before we had to head back to the tailgate spot to cool off.

Well Homecoming was a beautiful day. Usually this game is already penciled in as a 'W'. Good thing we had our erasers, because the day ended with another loss for the VOls.

The tailgating was great but the game was another letdown of the season.

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Well, the the Tennessee Volunteers managed to beat the Kentucky Wildcats. But that's not really saying much since they hold the longest winning streak of one opponent over another. Also losing would have made this team the worst team (with 8 loses) ever in UT history. So I'm sure they don't want to be known as the team that sent Phil out with a loss, ended the 'THE STREAK', and be known as the worst team ever. So on a cold, rainy day in November the Vols showed the sparse crowd how they can really play, especially in the second half. The only highlight of the first half was the last second dive into the end zone for a score. It was the second half that showed what this team could have been. I started this season with the Vols in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl with the UCLA loss. That game crushed me and I figured it crushed the Vols. I just hope next season starts with a bashing of the Bruins here in Neyland and a new era under Kiffin. But Coach Fulmer went out a winner and was carried off the field (that was the way it ...