Driving the the back roads of Tennessee and North Carolina, you’re bound to see something like this. Several times, as a matter of fact. I like it. It lets me know I’m definitely not in the big city anymore.
The Watauga Dam campground, where I spent the last week, was truly a delight. Although my cast precluded any paddling, I enjoyed watching others get out on the water. these fishermen reminded me of my cousin, Ray, who loves to put a line in the water.
I did go up one hot and humid day to the lookout over Lake Watauga (which is actually a TVA reservoir) and hiked a sweaty half-mile out to the point where you can see the dam itself. When it was built in 1948, it was the largest earthen dam in the US.
One of the most unusual features of this dam is the spillway (where water is released downstream). You can see why the design is called a “morning glory” entrance.
One of the week’s highlights was a tour of Bristol Motor Speedway. Someday, my brother and I will be sitting in one of those bleachers, watching the NASCAR drivers go round in half-mile circles.
Tuesday, I packed up and headed to Stone Mountain State Park in North Carolina. Along the way, I drove the Doc and Merle Watson Highway and the Benny Parsons Highway. I sang a bit on the former and bumped up the speed on the latter, paying tribute in my own way to them.
Now I’m settled in here till Monday, awaiting the arrival of more than 40 Altos for a weekend rally. While I’m waiting, I did a little laundry, hanging off the back bumper of the trailer. I think I’m adapting to the South rather well 🙂
Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.
Henry James
Happy Summer Solstice!
I love this post! We have dear friends who live about an hour outside of Bristol, and have heard about countless races, the infamous “Battle of Bristol” Tenn/VTech football game played there (156,900 attended), and about the Christmas drive, set up with holiday lights and YOU GET TO DRIVE ON THE TRACK to see them. Might be something to look into if you are ever in TN around Christmas! Thanks as always for sharing your journey with us.