Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Griswold continues, Sept. 29-30



Sunday. We visit American Science and Energy Museum in Oak Ridge TN, site of the Manhattan Project. The display tells the story of life in this part of the Manhattan project.  During two years communities in a rural area seven miles by maybe 20 miles were moved out and the Oak Ridge part of the project operated by 75000 people.  Example of display was an initial Nov 11 letter advising land owner he has until Dec 1 to vacate, and the money for his land was on deposit.   During the years of the project, Oak Ridge was the 5th largest city in TN, but it never appeared on a map because it was top secret.  Even the resident employees didn’t know what they were working on.   There was a beautiful quilt in the lobby recently made to honor those who worked in the Dept. of Energy on the project.






Our third night, we stayed at Soaring Eagle Campground near Kingston.   

Monday, soon after getting on the interstate, we stopped for diesel.  While Bill filled the tank, I got us a 32 oz. diet Coke to sip on as we travelled.  Accelerating onto the highway, the drink came flying out of the drink holder and spilled all over the floor.  We pulled off at the next exit to take the carpet out , wipe up all the drink, and wash the floor.  We’ll have to hose off the carpet at the campground tonight.  
As we got into Nashville, we visited the Hermitage, Andrew Jackson’s home.  The house is well preserved with most of the original wallpaper intact.   After his death, his grandchildren sold the house to the state of TN and lived there as custodians as it was open for tours. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hermitage_(Nashville,_Tennessee)  Article in Wiki.

front facade

back view
 Jackson's phaeton



While in Nashville, we are camping at the Yogi Bear Jellystone Park.  Haven’t seen Yogi or BooBoo yet!  

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