YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO BRUSHY MOUNTAIN STATE PEN?

Couldn't believe it, but Judy, born and raised in Harriman, had never been to Petros to see the old Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary! So, on Thursday, that gloriously gloomy day, we took a little road trip from the house up Bitter Creek way, and turned onto Coal Creek Road and went to Coalfield, Tennessee.

In Coalfield we turned back toward Wartburg, Tennessee on 62 and then off onto 116 to Petros. The prison sets against the farthest mountain you can see driving back through Petros and is still guarded, but there is no public access.

I talked to the guard and an old gentleman standing at the main gate for a bit. The guard said there were a few tours just after the prison was closed, but nothing was being allowed in at this time. I told them of my 70's visit, when the prisoners had been moved to Nashville, and about Geronimo, the whitetail buck that was once a pet of the inmates. The older fellow remembered the deer and we enjoyed reminiscing about that little known fact, and the guard added that there were currently about 6 deer living within the fences at Brushy.

Even though the light was not perfect for photography, it was a good day for a circuit through Roane and Morgan Counties. It seems we look for more and more things to get us out of the house lately. The weather has locked us away much too long. After all, there is just too much beauty in our East Tennessee backyard to stay in all winter!

We passed the prison and rode up a way on Bald Knob Road, past three sandstone cones of rock just on the side of the road. Apparently these piers of rock are capped with a much harder layer of stone. After the road was cut by them, the elements have eroded them from the side facing the road. They make a very colorful addition to the area's beauty.

I didn't stop to take any photos, but we did notice that this hollow has a great abundance of Rebel Flags and Camaros!

Leaving Hwy 116, we turned back west toward Wartburg and then made a southerly turn onto Liberty Road over to Mossy Grove, and on back down Hwy 27/29 to Bitter Creek, completing the circle.

TRULY BLESSED

Ms. Mushy and I retired about 2 months apart last year (has it been over a year – wow) and have longed for the companionship of her sisters and brother-in-laws. Finally 2 of the sisters and their husbands retired, and another set is not too far behind. We are really enjoying running around with them during the day and thinking of all those hard working people we used to know.

Today we met, had breakfast in Wartburg, Tennessee, drove by Potter’s Falls, and then decided to head to Knoxville and Gander Mountain! It is wonderful to know you have no set times to be places and no set time to be back home. You just think of something you would like to do and you go. It is the most free I have ever felt in my life.

When you work, you are tied to work regardless if you are at work or not…you still have to go to bed at a certain time or be back home on Sunday nights in time to go to sleep so you can work Monday. In a way, part of your time is still their time! Now the time is all ours!

After touching everything in Gander Mountain (we are gathering cold winter gear for Jackson Hole) we decided that hot wings and beer would be a good lunch! We ended up at our favorite watering hole (Bailey’s) where we relaxed the afternoon away.

We are truly blessed and we thank Him every day.