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May 20, 2003

Start:   Ft Chiswell CG, Max Meadows VA
End:     Cumberland Mtn State Park, Crossville TN
Miles:   277
Hi Temp: 76
Lo Temp: 50

 

Headed out at 8:53, a leisurely time if ever there was one.  We almost immediately got onto I-81 southbound in a stream of trucks.  The weather was partly sunny and cool, but that beats rain.

A little way down the road, near Marion, Dolores saw the first wildlife creatures of the trip (two deer).

We merged into I-40 headed west and the pace picked up.  Then we got into Knoxville proper and things got a little crazy.  Besides the construction and traffic, this place has some confusing interstate intersections shooting off and merging at all angles.  After I-75 split off from I-40, things calmed down again.

We'd intended to stay at one local park (Bean Pot) but changed our mind after Dolores reviewed the Woodall's guide and preferred "Ballyhoo". Maybe it was the name.

As we turned into "Ballyhoo" we found a sign, "Closed temporarily while we repair tornado damage." We couldn't back out, so we went in to turn around.  We found the usual tornado effects, especially trees down in swirling patterns. When we got back to the entrance another truck approached us and rolled down their window to talk. They said they were camped at the state park, and that it was nice. So we followed them back to the park.  On the way, we saw a house with the roof removed and more tree damage.

At the campground, you're supposed to pick a site and then go back to register and pay.  The first site was really off-level, so we put into a second one more to our liking. While paying, the campground person said that four people had been killed by the tornado.

We took a ride around the park, much of which isn't open (but will open Friday for the Memorial Day weekend). It's a nice park with all the trails, pools, boats and other features.  There's a restaurant overlooking a dam-and-bridge combinations said to be the largest masonry structure ever erected by the CCC. After lounging around and walking some, we went back to the restaurant.  All they had going this evening was a buffet, but it was good and some of the items were new to us, like the breaded okra. Hmmm...

Then back to the little house for a book and to bed. Tomorrow, we're off the interstate and can look around more.