So many new sights and things to do, how quickly I fall behind on the blog posts. Anyway, here's a look at my 5 day trip over to Knoxville, TN Feb 15-20. It's just a hop, skip and jump over the mountains from Franklin, NC -- lucky me. Spent my time basking in three generations with my sister, Christine Billone, her daughter, Dr. Amy Billone, a professor at UT, and the two most endearing grand-nephews ever, Charlie and Nicholas Burke.
 |
| Christine and Amy at the Chattanooga Aquarium |
 |
| Proud to be related to these amazing boys! |
 |
| The manta ray tank said "Please Touch" so all sleeves were rolled up |
 |
| These guys actually jumped out of the water for the kids! |
 |
| What's cooler than seeing a shark up close? Nothing! |
 |
| IMax movie was "The Lost Reef" in 3D. Unbelievable photography |
 |
| Chattanooga skyline - a busy President's weekend so we parked on the roof |
What else did we pack into this visit? A children's play of Sleeping Beauty - quite the array of talent in the 5th-9th grade troupe. Long walks with Christine, a perfect way to catch up while logging 4+ miles. Helped Charlie decorate his new Pirate Chest with 250 stick-on gems, and put together a very hard 100-piece Spider Man puzzle with Nicholas. Attended a lovely Episcopal church service with Christine and the boys.
There were great meals at Christine's favorite spots:
Zoe's Kitchen,
Copper Cellar and
Macaroni Grille. Also made friends with the pet menagerie in both families: Quincy, Clay and Amber (Christine's mini-dachshunds), Jasper and Gabi (her black kitties), and Lucky and Cinnamon (Amy's ginger-colored cats). Only Jasper (the Unfriendly Giant) didn't take a liking to me, since I was sleeping in his room. But no worries - one or two scratches and I learned how to keep out of his way.
All in all it was so special to see this family in their everyday lives - bouncing, bright boys who seem to grow taller from one day to the next. Talented, brilliant Amy, with a grasp of literature, poetry and multi-media university teaching tools that leaves us all in the dust. And Nana Christine is there to help out, weaving her steady presence into her grandsons' lives, just like in the olden days.
 |
| Cast of Sleeping Beauty - by a local children's theater |
 |
| Jasper and Gabi dining in style |
 |
| 4-mile loop located on the grounds of a former mental hospital |
 |
| Views of the river along the Fort Sanders Trail |
 |
| Another labyrinth for my collection - at Christine's Episcopal church |
I just got caught up on your blog... it sounds like you are having the time of your life, my friend! I wish I could travel with you for just a day or two!
ReplyDeleteLove from New England!
Saloma