KUDZU

One thing we've seen in the last couple weeks, is kudzu. If you've never seen it before, it's a vine that is invasive, and it grows and swallows everything in the area. These aren't very good pictures-it's horrible looking when it turns brown. It takes over big trees-it's really freaky. I hope it never gets to Iowa.

It probably wouldn't hurt too much if it swallowed up Book Eddy!

UPSIDE DOWN

Just when you think you've seen everything, well, here's something else! It even creeks and groans!

CHRISTMAS ALL YEAR LONG

I went into a couple Christmas stores, but this was the nicest. It even has it's own motel across the street.

PIDGEON FORGE AND GATLINBURG

We drove around the area which reminded us of the Dells or Branson times 10. A tourist trap with lots of traffic, but also lots of things to do, and great opportunities for shopping. There are also shows and a thousand restaurants.

As you can see, they're in the process of putting up the Christmas lights. We did get to see some of the individual places lit up.



Dolly never did appear-I'm sure Don felt bad that he didn't get to see her!

SMOKEY MT. PARK UP HIGHER

As we drove higher, we got to see our first snow of the year, and possibly the last.



We even saw some icicles.

A little boy just finished making this snowman. How cute!

SMOKEY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

We took a drive down to Smokey Mountain National Park and the beauty can speak for itself. The visitor's center has a movie and a small museum of animals and plants.

They have some kind of a bug that's ruining the evergreens. You can see how brown they are.

There are even a few small tunnels along the way.

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

We just spent three days in the Knoxville area and even got a few housekeeping jobs done. For those of you that think we don't do anything, since we don't rake leaves or shovel snow, maybe you'll be happy to know, we cleaned the vents and fans. Retirement is great, but not without a few chores. We also spent one afternoon in Knoxville. There's an area downtown where they had the World's Fair.



This is the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

A river runs through downtown and a paddleboat went by.