24 June 2009 Re-arranging all our baggage.

 

Today was a day that I utilised to re-arrange all the baggage that has been distributed during our travels. I could put most of the fishing tackle away again seeing that I was no longer in the competitive streak. I did however leave all the most productive tackle in the tackle bag for easy access. The other mission was to put all the kids and our winter clothes into the large bags with only the cool minimum in the cabin bags. This was a task in itself. Then Rietha brought the kids around for a swim and I decided to take Michi fishing in a local pond right next to the Tennessee river.After a frustrating beginning for Michi with over winds etc. he finally settled down and landed his second biggest Bass ever at 5.3 lb’s.

Then Michi and myself drove the 3 miles to the water.

Michis big one in TN

23 June 2009 Just killing time at the Hotel

 

Today we were just killing time at the Motel. I took the car for a service and Amelia was busy with the schooling of the kids in the morning. We keep busy searching for business opportunities on the web. In the afternoon Mark and Rietha usually bring around the kids to play, because the Motel has a really nice pool area. We also had another braai yesterday evening to plan our outing to Dollywood on Thursday.

 

22 June 2009 Chilling after an exciting weekend

Today we slept in and relaxed, kids did some schoolwork and in the afternoon Mark and Rietha came around to bring the kids for a swim. otherwise I just fiddled wit the blog to see if I can upload some music that is currently hip over here.

21 June 2009 Fathers day in Tennessee

Today it was the day of the South African fathers in Knoxville, the only unfortunate thing was that Johan’s daughter could not be with us to celebrate this day. We decided to sleep in a bit today and then go to a lake and spend the day relaxing with a braai. Or destination was Lake Norris North west of Knoxville. When we arrived there we saw that there were a couple of families already having fun, but there was still space for us. In the heat the swimming area was unfortunately closed due to the high water in the lake, but this did not deter us we found a nice point and went swimming there.

Unfortunately the Bass did not play along today and only the Sunfish were biting.

20 June 2009 Oak Ridge (The Secret City) TN

On our way back to Knoxville we came across a place called Oak Ridge and whilst driving through we saw that they are holding the annual two day Festival of the Secret City. Now Oak Ridge is called the secret city because all the nuclear development takes place here and they celebrated the 40 year history of this town.

We met up early with Mark and family and Johan and took the short 20 minute drive from Knoxville to Oakridge. Our first stop was the American Museum of Science and Energy. This was a field trip in science for the kids as well as us. Today entrance was only 25 cents as part of the festival. All the interesting facts about energy, nuclear technology and X-rays was explained through interactive activities.

To top it off we had a lecture in the auditorium about the van den Graaf generator with a shocking experience.

 

Now for the new Hair look in 2009

After the museum we walked over to the Festival with hundreds of stands and lots of activities for the kids, and you won’t believe all for free. The other interesting thing that happened here was a full on World War 2 re-enactment with full on gunfire and Mortar fire entertaining the crowds. Represented were the British, Americans and Germans. They take this very serious with all their setups very lifelike. Afterwards they share stories and explain certain weapons and let the kids handle them.

Then we strolled down the battlefield

Then we moved back to the live entertainment, with Belly dancers and a juggling Comedian etc.

We left the festival tired, but it was a great American experience.