Day 1: On the Road Again

First stop Woodlawn, to drop off the boys. This is a great place and we felt good about leaving them there. The entrance is designed to look like a hotel, and everything is spotless.

The cat area is a spacious room with its own flat screen TV! The cages are very roomy and organized with separate cubbies if we wanted them to stay together, which we did. They each have their own sleeping space in the same cage and there is a rug on the floor.

They will be allowed out a couple of times a day to wander around in the room. Whenever there are other "guests", they will be let out at separate times.

Leaving Woodlawn, we headed for Knoxville. The previous blog said we would spend the night there, but that was incorrect. We breezed through, just stopping for a bite. Noticed lots of signs about Davy Crockett's birthplace along the way.

We were surprised to learn that Knoxville was settled in 1786. I didn't think we had gone that far west so early. It was the first state capital, but didn't really come unto its own until the railroad arrived in 1855. It was divided on secession during the civil war, and occupied at times by both union and confederacy.

We boarded the Chattanooga Choo Choo and kept going. The city is in a very pretty area, although we chuckled at what they called mountains. In spite of that, the rolling hills and the Tennessee River make a stunning backdrop.

Chattanooga was a major settlement of the Cherokee Nation, and also a major holding depot when, in 1838 the US government forced the Indians to relocate to Oklahoma. You may recall stories about the "Trail of Tears".

Just as in Knoxville, the railroad brought boom times to Chattanooga when it arrived in 1850. The city was famous for the Battle of Chickamauga, which the Confederates won in the Civil War, and the Battle of Missionary Ridge, which U.S. Grant helped the Union to win.

A huge flood in Chattanooga in the 30's was the main catalyst for the TVA.

We drove through a short slice of GA before entering Alabama. The Welcome Center at the state line was very nicely done, complete with porch rockers and a huge fireplace in the main room.

Starting here, we have been repeatedly surprised and delighted with everyone's friendliness. The staff at the Welcome Center were open and ready to chat (Guess who else wanted to chat. Before I knew it he was sitting in front of the fire in deep conversation with one of the state rangers.). They got us a reservation and great deal on a hotel, and recommended a lovely place for dinner. The hotel was just what we wanted. Plus, we stopped for gas later and asked for directions to the restaurant. It was a little complicated, so they said, "Follow us", and they led us all the way there - about 7 miles. The restaurant didn't disappoint. Yummy shrimp dinners.