IT'S BEEN A HAPPENING!

As I've posted, my brother visited this week and he and I spent the first day making the rounds and doing a little target practice.

On the second day, he and I joined up with my son Corey and did some "manly man" shopping.  We also ate a Wild Wings and visited The Irish Times for a couple of black & tans!  I thought for a minute there was going to be trouble over the last wing, but they finally worked it out...they gave it to me!

Friday evening was the annual Christmas gathering of my brother-in-law Ron's old work group.  This year it was at Smoky Mountain Brewery.  The group also included two guys, Andy and Tim, that I haven't known for a couple of years and have accompanied to Roger Waters and AC/DC concerts.  This year, because of my kidney operation, they made the trip without me.

However, it was good to see the guys again and to again see some of the other work group that I've met.

Prior to going to the "brewery", Ron and I had a couple of black & tans at the "pub"...just to warm up!

I think I've written, or at least mentioned, before about the wild retirement party I had back in '05.  It just happened that the Jack Daniels "cheerleaders" visited Bailey's that evening.  Man!  We had a ball touring their "tour" bus, which included laying on their big bed in the rear, and having photos made with them.

Well, as luck would have it, girls promoting Ole Smoky Moonshine appeared at Smoky Mountain Brewery last evening.  So, it was "Déjà vu all over again"!  Again I was trying out what they were selling, getting a free t-shirt, and several hugs for photo ops!

Turns out, Andy took the bill for a table of about 15 of us...what a guy!  If you offered money, he took it and threw it into the pile in the middle of the table.  The cute little waitress made out like a bandit for all her hard work.

Check out Andy's sweatshirt...remember that?!  Ol' Bluto's shirt from Animal House!  It was hilarious and, unfortunately, he has to explain it to every youngster he meets.

One gentlemen in the bunch (don't know his name) performed bar tricks for us and amazed me by pulling this thread from a twenty-dollar bill!  Ever seen that done before...I hadn't.

So, it's been an amazing week...lots of food and brews with the guys...and gals!

Today, Saturday, was a great day too, but I'll save that until next time.

LEFT TO OUR OWN DEVICES AGAIN!

Do you remember back when I posted about Steve gettin’ on his Mustang (click here), well, we were left to our own devices (doing what we please) again today, and the ol’ hundred mark rolled around again!

Ron is in California, visiting his brother, and the girls were out and about by themselves shopping on a beautiful spring day in Knoxville. The sky was as blue as could be and the temperatures pushed up near 70 – just right for convertible weather!

Steve and I perused Gander Mountain without parting with a dime, but we then made the mistake of heading to Best Buy!

As the weather dictated, outside sat a beautiful Boxster all dressed in red with the top down! Inside, Steve could not resist a Wii with Wii Fit add on! He intends on losing about 15 to 20 pounds using it, so I’ve decided to get one IF that happens!

At the Smoky Mountain Brewery, we each had a burger and 3 drafts! Yummy!

So, on the way home Steve dropped the top and put the pedal to the metal!

Man, do I love the sound of that thing! Brings back such sweet memories!

THE KNIGHTS ATTEND THE “OBAMA CLEARANCE”

Like millions of gun owners have been doing in their own areas, we attended the local R. K. Gun Show at the Expo in Knoxville, Tennessee. Everyone was calling it the “Obama Clearance”, and the place was packed, but most of the buying seemed to be ammunition! There were some heavily laden shoppers seen leaving the Expo Center Saturday!There seemed to be a pervasive fear among most of the attendees that the President Elect, Barack Hussein Obama, would soon come looking for their guns! One vendor was even warning people to now buy all the ammo, clips, and weapons they wanted/needed and hide them! Is it really going to be that bad?

Gary did buy a clip for a .380, but only because his had broken. I bought a box of “bird shot”, to kill snakes in my fireplace (ha), but I did not decided to horde up a stockpile in my basement. Besides, I’ve already done that!

Anyway, these photos should give you some idea of how crowded the gun show was, and this was just the second of three days the show was in town.

I was personally disappointed, because there were no “new” gun vendors displaying there – just vintage guns at absorbent prices. Remember when M-1s went for about $100? Well, some were marked $1100!

I did not see one Ruger vendor either, other than the usual “cowboy” gun displays, and a few used guns. As a matter of fact, none of the local gun shops were represented at the show – just private collectors and ammo dealers.

I was in the market for the new Ruger LCP, a light weight carry that’s about the size of a .25 auto. I figure I’ll stick it in my other pocket, opposite my camera, and go armed more often. Something that light and with a respectable kick seems to make more sense these days than bulking up with a heavy carry plus a cumbersome holster! Sometimes gearing up with my holster under my ever shrinking shirts is just too much trouble. Can’t figure out why my shirts keep shrinking!

Corey was in the market too, and even had an “I don’t care” from Tia, however, us old silverbacks explained to him what that “really” meant! Anyway, he could not find the Browning Silver he had his heart set on, but that might have been a blessing in disguise!

Later we watched the first quarter of the VOLS game at the Smoky Mountain Brewery in Turkey Creek. They lost, as seems to have been their game plan all season, to Wyoming. What a homecoming game that was!

However, the pizza, “pale ale”, and sweet tea went down smoothly, making it easier to take! Anyone know any great coaches that needs a good paying job?

It was good to be out with a full contingent of Knights, plus our understudy Corey. Corey enjoys being our DD on such outings and everyone appreciates him.

Got to go hide my guns now…see ya next time!

JEFF AND DENISE HAVING A BALL!

Monday evening we closed Big Ed’s Pizza in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The pizza was exceptionally good and we were all starving…not that we look like it, just that we were feeling it!

Jeff and Denise arrived a little later than planned, so since we had to be up and dressed for hiking by 8 AM, we turned in fairly early Monday night.

I picked Jeff up at 8:15 and headed for the Cracker Barrel in Lenoir City to meet Ron (my brother-in-law). After a hardy breakfast we made for the Smoky Mountains and specifically the Middle Prong Trail near Cades Cove.

The temperature and humidity was perfect and we enjoyed a 4 mile round trip hike, going from 1900 to 2500 feet in elevation. It is a steady gradual climb along a beautiful mountain creek filled with boulders and green moss. I showed Jeff where I slipped and fell in back in May. He and Ron wanted me to reenact the event so they could get shots, but I passed!

After the hike, we went back to Turkey Creek in Knoxville, and met our better halves at the Smoky Mountain Brewery for a late lunch/supper!

Then it was back to my house and the screened porch for music, cigars, beer, and lots of conversation. This lasted to almost midnight, but since we had to be up again at 8 AM to meet Ron for a canoe trip, we said goodnight and turned in.

I’ll post shots of the canoe trip later.

We’re having a ball! We’ll be back with you all soon.

ON THE TRAIL AGAIN

Ron and I hiked the east end of the North Boundary Trail (approx. 3.2 mile round trip), a Greenway in the Oak Ridge, Tennessee area, near where K-25 Plant sits. The gravel road runs about 7 miles from the west end of the City of Oak Ridge, just below the old war era guard station, to just below the old Wheat Community.

This area was settled in the 1700s, and in 1846 was first called the Bald Hill Community. However, it was changed to Wheat in 1880, after the community’s first postmaster Frank Wheat. Early residents included family names such as Henry, Inman, and Welcher.

In about 1840, a Gallaher purchased the area and it was later called the Gallaher-Stone Plantation.

These families buried their families and their slaves (unmarked) in family plots all over the area that became the Reservation known as Oak Ridge. The homes and farms in this area ceased exist in 1942 when the U. S. Government began their “secret” project to build the first atomic bomb that eventually ended World War II.

Today, all these graveyards are numbered and documented using GPS positioning, and open to only the families that once lived in the area. However, if you walk this particular Greenway, you can visit at least 3 of them.

Today we visited 62 (Slivey family) and 63 (Rather family) sites.

Along the trek we discovered a new wildflower with lovely “violet like” blooms called Moth Mullein - the flowers grow from and around a single stalk. If you look closely, you can see why it’s call “moth”…the bloom has the appearance of a moth.

We also stopped and listened to the mating chatter of the 17 YEAR CICADAS that are out in force this year!

This is a very peaceful walk…and sometimes, when the weather and lighting is just right, it can be down right spooky!

Naturally, Ron and I ended up at the Smoky Mountain Brewery for burgers and pale ale later!

STEPPING OUT – EVERYTHING FROM WINGS TO PIZZA

Last Saturday Corey and I made a “wings run” as he is almost certain to say. He loves the Wild Wings Cafe in Knoxville, and I love the wings and the time with him.

We both ordered Chicken Nuggets, being too lazy to strip the bones and create a huge pile of “carnage”, as he likes to say. I favor THE TENNESSEE FIREBALL WING and the JALAPENO CHEDDAR with Yuengling draft, while he goes for THE GOLD RUSH WING and THE WILD WEST WING and glass after glass of unsweet tea!

Just look at that happy face, those wings, and the giant fries! You can’t ask for a better day than that my friends!

However, today was a happy day too. Ron is back!

Ron and I met up with Steve, Gary, and Gary’s lovely Dragon Charlotte at the Smoky Mountain Brewery. She is not much of a shopper, so she hung with the Knights today while Judy, Neena, and Terri attended Knoxville’s annual Women Today Expo at the Convention Center, which is near the 1982 World’s Fair Site. It seems that most of the retailers in Knoxville were there displaying everything from fashion, careers, cooking, fitness, food, health, to skin care products and more. Charlotte would just soon eat a great cheeseburger with the guys, and naturally we all had rather be with her!

Oh, and the Baker’s Choice Pizza was wonderful too!

It was good to get together with the guys again, but Ron being back, holding a draft again, made it even more special.

After burgers, pizza, and a Chicken Ruben for Ron, we crossed the parking lot to the Irish Times Pub for a black & tan for dessert! Where we watched part of the Tennessee vs. South Carolina basketball game at the SEC Tournament - we won!

BEER AND FELLOWSHIP

A couple of weeks ago, Ron and I took the Dragons to the Smoky Mountain Brewery for lunch, and it turned into a beer fest for the two of us. Judy and Neena wanted to do some girly shopping, so Ron and I grabbed the opportunity to keep on keeping on!

Friday (2/15) is the day Ron has his lung surgery, please remember him. So, this was our last time at knocking back a few together for awhile. I enjoyed seeing him relax and enjoy himself.

Anyway, after the girls left in one vehicle, we walked across the parking lot to the Irish Times Pub and ordered black & tans for dessert! I immediately, being the boozer I am, noticed that the glasses were not normal size. Finally, I could not stand it and had to ask the bar-lady…”Whazup with these small glasses?”

“Oh, we ran out of the larger Guinness glasses.”

“Well, are these the same price,” I asked?

“Uh, well, uh, I’m not sure,” she said with eyes looking toward the top of the bar.

“Well, we were thinking about a second one, so we’d like to know.”

Pretty soon the manager was standing by my stool and began explaining, in his heavy Irish brogue, that customers were in the habit of stealing the larger Guinness glasses and they were left with very few. “Further,” he continued, “My shipment of large glasses has not arrived.” He then said he was sorry and walked away.

Ron asked me if he ever answered my question and before I could answer him, the nice lady behind the bar sat two new B&Ts in front of us in the larger glasses. “On the house,” she said!

From that point on it did not matter!

After slowly enjoying the second one, we decided to go back across the parking lot to the Brewery. Why? Just for the change of scenery I suppose!

There we ordered the sampler and two pale ales. That’s when I noticed the “Free Beer Tomorrow” sign on the wall. I turned to tell Ron just as the joke of it hit me. We had a good laugh over my slowness and continued to mix our own black and tans using the 3-beer sampler of Tuckaleechee! Porter!

All too soon the ladies arrived to drive us home!

Remember…good thoughts for Ron Friday!

MY BUCKET LIST

If I were doing a “bucket list,” I would have to include lunch with the family at the Smoky Mountain Brewery, a movie afterwards, and then to come home and find my book in the mail one more time!

That’s the summary of today, and it was so nice.

Yes, again we went to the Smoky Mountain Brewery. Tracy, Katie, and Eddie had never eaten there, but I have a feeling they will be going back soon!

Katie had Buffalo Shrimp, Eddie tried one of the big burgers, Tracy got the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, and Judy and I halved a Chicken Ruben! Everyone enjoyed their iced tea while I again indulged in a Pale Ale (a seasonal beer not on the menu)! I incorrectly identified it in the previous post as “red ale” but it was the “pale ale” we raved about then. All their beer is microbrewed on the premises.

Eddie had to go to work and get some exercise machines working at The Rush, while the rest of us took in “The Bucket List.”

When I left the theater and headed for the restroom, my jaws were aching from holding back my emotions. I don’t know if it was because of what’s going on with Ron, getting older myself, or if it was just great acting, but I hurt from trying not to cry during the last 30 minutes of the movie! It is good folks…really good.

Like I said, Eddie had already gone back to work, so Judy went with Tracy and Katie shopping. Judy tossed me her car keys, knowing I did not want to go shopping, so I headed home.

When I check the mailbox, there was the hardcopy book I had ordered from Lulu.com. Wow! “The Laugh & Times of Mushy” was beautiful in all its orange and green colors! It is almost like someone sent me a new baby through the mail. I was so thrilled to finally be holding a “draft” copy!

The only thing I’m not pleased with is the back cover…my fault completely, just a little bit out of kilter, so I’ll have to work on that. However, everything else turned out as I had envisioned it. The front cover is exactly like I wanted it and the text turned out looking very nice and professional.

Let me encourage any of my blogger readers, especially those with a blog, to consider doing a “blook!”

I especially think Suldog, Pat, Buck, Lin, and Robert need to consider preserving their writings in a hardcopy “blook.” I does not have to be from Lulu, although they make it so easy, but you do need to consider it. It may not be a “best seller” but there are people in your family that would appreciate it…at least someday.

If you want to know more about the process, either go to Lulu.com or send me an email (fuzzbert_1999 at Yahoo dot com).

SPECIAL MOMENTS WE SHARE KEEP US STRONG

Yesterday Gary (left), Ron, and I went to the Smoky Mountain Brewery that just opened in Turkey Creek in Knoxville, Tennessee.

We each enjoyed “red pale ale” which is not advertised, but is from their seasonal menu – you have to ask for it. At first, a strong “hoppy” taste attacks your taste buds, but after a couple of sips they relax and begin to beg for it!

We made small talk about Ron’s recent health issues, reassuring him things would work out. Little did we know that Ron would get the results of a lung biopsy he had on Monday, after getting home that afternoon. The news was not positive…he does have a small spot of lung cancer on a lower lobe of one lung. Since the presence was detected so early, and the fact that he’s in such great shape, there is no reason he will not be fine.

Please pray for him, as he is very important to our family. Thanks.

We also discussed our recent efforts to reduce our food intake, and I related my pork tenderloin, and nut-encrusted recipes (which I have posted on Mushy’s Cookings). Naturally, since Ron rides his bicycle a couple of times a week, hikes, kayaks, and generally exercises, he needs much less control than we do.

Anyway, Wednesday was a “Knight’s Day Out” (at least for those of us old retirees) and we splurged on the calories. Gary and I got the wonderful Grilled Rueben (pictured) with sliced corned beef and sauerkraut, topped with sour cream and melted cheese, with a green bean side! Ron tackled the Chicken Cheese Philly with sliced chicken with grilled fresh peppers and onions, topped with melted cheese, and fries on the side!

After another “red ale” to wash it all down, we crossed the street to the Irish Times Pub & Restaurant for dessert – a very nice black & tan, drawn by prepared to perfection!

As a follow up, I spoke with Ron this morning and he is in good spirits. Days like Wednesday are important to us all (The Knights) and we don’t intend to let this get us down. Together, with our combined prayers, we shall prevail!

UPDATE: Ron's PET scan revealed that he has no other occurrence of cancer in his body. It is localized to one spot on a lower lobe, which means he will probably not have to have chemo! This is the best news possible. I prayed that he would not be weakened or down long with this, because he loves the outdoors so much. God is good!

Thanks for all your thoughts, comments, and prayers!

HIKING THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

Saturday was supposed to be a warm up to a hike taking FHB to Abram’s Falls in Cades Cove Wednesday, both in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. However, if you believe a relief map completely, you may find yourself sitting on a log somewhere along the trail feeling as though you don’t care if you ever make it out or not!

The Appalachian Trail (AT) was our destination, since I have wanted to walk on it since I began hiking a few years ago. Ron chose what appeared to be a rather low level of climb up from the Clingman’s Dome parking lot to where the trail intersects the AT about ½ a mile from the Dome’s top where the tower sits (see the cloud shrouded tower photo).

Most tourists take the ½ mile, or 30-minute walk, on an asphalt walk up from the parking lot to the dome that is, naturally, smooth. The route we chose is essentially a rocky creek bed only about 12 inches wide, and, on this day, full of running water! The temperature was around 57 degrees, which was a lifesaver to me, and the mountain was completely wrapped in a cloud mist, with frequent sprinkles of rain.

Had I chosen to wear my rain gear, I’m not sure I would have made it back. The heat would have roasted me from inside! Instead, I walked short-sleeved, to remain as cool as possible. This was only one of the extra chances I got Saturday!

The picture of the four of us, Steve, Corey, Ron, and me was taken where the parking lot trail intersects with the AT. Had it been a clear day we would have been witness to beautiful mountain vistas, green valleys, and fresh mountain air! However, with the clouds around us, we could only see about 10 to 20 yards on each side of the trail.

Heading out toward Clingman’s Dome, I thought the rough hike up, over sharp rocks, through water, and up steep grades was almost over. I figured once we reached the top; saw the tower, that we would start a gentle decent back down to the highway where we left the second vehicle. But, oh hell no, my day had only begun to be agony!

Let me say here, that Ron is blaming himself for taking me on a more advanced hike than I should have been on after two recent surgeries, the addition of 10 pounds I probably put on waiting to heal, and the fact that we were somewhere around 6,600 feet in elevation! I have assured him that I had at least two opportunities to select alternative routes or hikes. However, I was determined to hit the AT, even if it was only about 4 miles of the total 2,174 miles! I did reach the AT, but with much less grace than I had intended!

Ron, our usual guide, did not know the trail “down” was actually up for more than 80% of the way back. There were log and rock steps for almost unbearable durations heading down, with sharp rocks, slick roots, slimy rocks, and deep walked-out trails full of oozy mud that sucked at your heels with every step.

Not being in the best of shape, as evidenced by the photo, my legs soon tired of constantly stepping up onto, what seemed like never ending, log or rock steps. The trail continued to ascend; when it seemed to me we should be going down! We either passed “in shape” older guys running up toward us, or pack laden young people heading “to the top and beyond!” One old guy told us he planned to make 70 miles Saturday…I say “Bullshit!”

Ron and Steve eventually pulled off about ½ a mile ahead of Corey and me. We communicated with walkie-talkies and they began to wonder where we were. Corey, hanging back with his dad, expecting him to die any minute, radioed and asked how much further. We were already 2 hours into a 4-mile hike! Ron radioed back about 2 miles. I blurted out “Oh shit!” and Corey relayed, “That’s a big 10-4 and an ‘oh shit’!”

My legs became rubbery and then I got a cramp in my left thigh. I knew then I was dehydrated and loosing much needed salt and electrolytes!

I forced myself to eat half a granola bar and several salty pretzels, and downed it all with suck after suck of water from my backpack water bladder. Finally, I felt somewhat better and with Corey’s constant coaching, what he’s good at, I stood up and put one tried foot before the other until Ron and Steve came back and met us about .2 of a mile from the car. Ron took my pack and we all headed out!

I can look back on it now and say I’m glad for the experience, but man, at one point I wanted to call in a helicopter!

I didn’t even want the “end of the trail beer” I was so tired, but I downed one and ate two slices of pizza at the Smoky Mountain Brewery.

I got home at 7:30…about 12 hours after leaving, took a hot shower and went to bed. I woke up around 9:30 Sunday morning, thanking God for sparing this old, fat, out of shape man!

Only 2,170 more miles to go!