From Chilly Maine to Chillin' Tennessee - April 3, 2013

April 3, 2013

This day arrived with a slow dance and ended with a relaxation meditation.  This adventure takes me to the southern state of Tennessee, south of the Mason Dixon line.  It is the Kel and Kel show!  Kel moved from Michigan to Tennessee just so that I could have a new place to visit and another adventure to undertake.  Well, maybe not.  It is a new adventure for her too.

Anyway, the day began at 3:15 a.m. to the sound of the alarm on my cell phone and the alarm clock in my room.  It was a slow moving morning.  Coffee did not even kick my brain in gear!  Oh well, I stumbled around making sure that my luggage was packed.  I think I should have sat on it but it closed.  This means that if I buy anything then I might have to ship it.  Alternatively, I could wear layers as a friend had suggested.

Anyway, 4:00 a.m. was the time that I set to hit the road.  Backpack and luggage in my car but I had forgot to bring a cup of coffee.  Oh my.  Anyway, my brain was in stall mode when I decided to not take I-295 and took the I-95 instead.  I can drive I-295 in my sleep but I thought that driving I-95 would keep me awake.  It was not a good decision on my part.  Lack of sleep and lack of sufficient caffeine make for bad choices that you have to deal with during that time.  I just zoned out most of the way hoping that I would not miss Exit 46.  No problem there.  I did not miss it.  However, I found that getting to the airport is a little different in the dark in the early morning using an unfamiliar exit.  I was hoping that I went the right way.  I know that there are road signs but still.

The drive into the jetport always throws me for a loop.  I still cannot get used to the renovation of the Jetport as well as the parking garage.  It used to be so much easier!  A parking space was found easy enough.  Oh and yes, I did write down where I parked my car.  I remember one year that I forgot to write it down.  I remembered the floor and that it was the near the door but when I went back in I was on the wrong side of the garage!  Never again!

Self-check-in is a breeze.  One bag checked and backpack on shoulder to take on the airplane.  I am still wandering around in a daze/fog - lack of caffeine and lack of sufficient sleep and maybe allergies, I think.  Yes, I forgot to take an allergy pill.  Anyway, shuffle to the security area upstairs and a very long line.  I wish I had my luggage to sit on while I waited.  No problems getting through all the security.  Shoes and such back on led me downstairs to the boarding gates.  Time for coffee! Cafe Latte with soymilk from Starbucks was on the agenda.  I am always surprised to see someone that I know.  I found out through Facebook that someone from my city was at the airport too.  And guess what?  He was on my flight too!  We were not going to the same end destination but just the first leg.  Woo Hoo!

We finally boarded the airplane around just after 6:30 a.m.  I was seated in 32E that was right next to the window and behind the right wing.  My neighbor was headed to Florida to visit family and friends.  He had a tough road ahead in Florida and life.  He was making the best of the situation.  We both chatted and then dozed off and on until we hit Atlanta.

Atlanta is quite the airport.  It must be huge!  It is an International airport,  Thanks to the heads up that I received from a co-worker who told me that she had to take a shuttle/train to get to her next stop.  Anyway, it is a hold-on experience from Terminal A to Terminal D.  My friend from Hallowell was also on board.  With backpack on my shoulder and hand on the pole, it was a fast ride!  After I found D39 and the boarding of the current flight, my section was going to be deserted.  Another cafe latte was on the Agenda as well as a blueberry muffin from Starbucks.  I was starving!  Not much to eat in the area.  No bars or restaurants to hang out in unless you walk awhile back.  Travesty!  That is what I say - a travesty!

My seatmate in the waiting area was going to back to the Chattanooga area - about an hour or so from there.  Anyway, we chatted about all the different places each of us had been to over the years.  He told me about his trips to Europe and to the Grand Canyon.  Now I understand the reason that they have small cars.   You need to be able to maneuver the roads and garages.  Good to know.

The flight from Atlanta to Chattanooga was quick and no seatmate.  Small plane and one flight attendant.  Quick flight.  Nice!  Good landing.  Vacation started!  I am here!  Luggage picked up and checked in to see where Hugh was now.  He was actually out front of the airport and the only truck in front.  So 1:00 p.m. and vacation started officially.

Hugh and I filled me in on the locale surroundings and his new digs.  However, before we get to the house in Harrison, we make a pitstop at a local place called the Den.  Okay.  I am hungry and will eat almost anything.  A nice new place with a bar and food.  Catfish (fried) sandwich with french fries.  Yum!  I love sitting at a bar anyway so it was great!  No microbrew beer so I had to decide.  I am on vacation!  Woo Hoo!

Hugh and Kel live in a nice little development in Harrison.  I hear that the original town was flooded for the TVA.  We drove past the Harrison State Park and has a lovely view from the road.  We will go back again some day.  Anyway, the property is smaller than the farm but it has a great house with a nice screen room and garage/workroom.  However, there are 16 cows on the farm in back of their property.

Kel is getting out of work at 2:30 p.m.  I cannot wait to see her!  It has been way too long.  Anyway, I played with Sonny, their lab.  What fun!

Kel came home!  Love her!

Here is our night!  Kel and I went back to the Den for some more fun.  We rode in her new Volkswagon Beetle.  It is so cute and a turbo to boot!  Love it!  I want one!  After much conversation and laughter, we were ready to go.  However, I had to take a photo of the bud in the ice water pitcher.  They also had beer bottles in ice in open coolers.  It was so Tennessee!  The meditation for the night was more laughter and episodes of Grey's Anatomy.

Anyway, I hope everyone else had a great day!  Day One done, almost.