Road Trip Part 3: Tennessee Lake Living

Tennessee lake living compliments of the Great Depression and FDR's attempt to get us out of it with the WPA and CCC. Hence the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) massive project of damming the Tennessee River and other rivers in the watershed in an attempt to provide jobs, control flooding and generate electricity. Now, the lakes created by the dams provide for some absolutely lovely lake living. Thanks to Brandon's mother and father in laws hospitality, we were able to enjoy this little known part of the US.

Dam on the Tennessee River that creates a lake extending some 30 miles or so back to Knoxville.

Yup. 

Do need to clarify that this was NOT in Tennessee but in one of those beach stores in Myrtle Beach that sells an amazing variety of merchandise including quite a collection of "colorful" t-shirts. 

Oh my, Burger King has simply thrown in the towel as far as trying to accommodate those in the US clamoring for more healthy fast food options.  They have pretty much said the hell with it and are going the other way - we are fast food, unhealthy so might as well embrace it. An obligatory selfie of their latest creation.

While out walking around the lake community, we came across this cemetery plot with gravestones dating back to the 1700's.  I gathered from the names that it was most likely a family plot on land still owned by the family. The communities around this particular lake were quite developed with lake, lake view and winter lake view (really) options and tastefully constructed and landscaped. 

Standing on the shore of one of the undeveloped plots of lake front. 

Good view of various boat houses and my chest sweat just starting to appear. 

Guess what day it is??? My wedding anniversary! We make the girls dress up like this to appropriately show their appreciation for the significance of the day.  Good job girls and I do appreciate the gesture.

Happy anniversary daddy!

Road Trip Part 2: At the Beach

We spent about a week at the beach in a condo in N. Myrtle Beach. The condo was on the beach and had plenty of space for us, especially since most of the time we were out on the beach, which is hard to tell from the photos. But the reality was that I was in the water with the girls most of the time or playing on the beach with them. They are now of age where they love playing in the waves and riding a boogey board. I also dragged my impulse buy, horribly designed Ron Jon's surf board that I bought several years ago while on holiday here and did get out for a bit almost everyday. The waves were not good but at least I got to paddle around and catch a few. Still love it. Do to this, there are no pictures of the beach from me - I will need to try and get some from one of the others in our party.

Joe's Crab Shack - not my favorite place but the location over the water and no wait for our large crew won us over for a few meals. It is located at a place called Barefoot Landing which is an outdoor eating and shopping complex built over the water just a few minutes from our condo.

Oh boy ... 

Two peas in a pod on one of the walkways at Barefoot Landing. Both sets of girls had an absolute blast being with each other. It was nice to see that they have such an easy and lasting friendship.

It took some talking to convince them that in fact, they were not in danger of being attacked by alligators. But we succeeded. 

Hoovers minus Kiana. 

Beach gals. 

Cowgirls!

Road Trip Part 1: Myrtle Beach Getting There

Slice of Americana: Summer Picnic in the Park

Indiana: Trip to the Duell Compound.

My thoroughly enjoy going to the Duell's in Indiana. Three families of relatives live in the same housing complex and one with an in ground pool. The houses have plenty of indoor and outdoor space amongst them and the girls get to roam freely from house to house and situation to situation with their "cousins" (a time or two removed?).

Two happy critters at Aunt Carries house. 

Ada enjoying the new pup in her swim suit which is pretty much de rigueur attire at the compound. 

Some impressive "reverse planks" - quite the combination of words. If asked when in high school what I thought a "reverse plank" move was, I wonder how I would have responded. 

Always good eats at Uncle Bob and Aunt Janes.

A happy selfie showing off her updated braces. She opted for aqua marine and sea green in prep for our upcoming trip to Myrtle Beach. She has been rockin the wild child look these days - which I like.