peejman

    Drove over Watts Bar and Chickamauga over the weekend, both were nearly fully open.  The water was a boiling froth for several hundred yards downstream. 

Gander Mtn, Bass Pro, or Little River Trading Co. in Maryville. 

    You won't just happen upon a federal building in the middle of the woods.  If there's not a parking lot, there's not a building.    In Cades Cove, the campground buildings and visitors center are posted.  The mill, houses, cabins, barns, etc. are not.  I don't recall seeing a posting specifically on a restroom, but when I gotta pee I'm not looking real hard.  Obviously restrooms within other buildings would be posted.          Any sporting goods or outfitter type store should have it.           While they do typically stay away, my closest bear encounter was in the Rainbow Falls trailhead parking lot off Roaring Fork.  Mama and 2 cubs rooting through the underbrush literally 3 feet from the asphalt.  We were walking from our car to the trail and spotted them.  I grabbed my 5 yr old and put him in the bed of a pickup that happened to be sitting there.  I had my 2 yr old on my back, bear spray in one hand and hiking pole in the other.  We watched for a couple minutes then moved on.    The park does a good job dealing with problem bears.  I consider the bear spray as applicable to more than just bears.  A couple years ago, some otherwise rude people suddenly got polite when they noticed the can in my hand. 

Cool pics!  I'd love to see that in person.  I'm surprised they let you in there during the discharge.  I thought they closed everything off. 

Negative! It's horrible here. Worst place in the world. You'd have to be completely nuts to want to live here. Hope jersey is just a visit.

Negative! It's horrible here. Worst place in the world. You'd have to be completely nuts to want to live here. Hope jersey is just a visit.

    Good to know, thanks.  Care to post a review?

OC depends on your appearance.  If you're fairly clean cut, folks will think you're a cop.  You might get a few looks, but that's about it.  Park staff are typically pretty easy going about it.  They know the law allows OC, though some of them don't like it.  I've not heard of any confrontations that got ugly without cause.  If you're hiking, once you get 2 miles past the trail head you likely won't see another person.   Keep in mind that most (maybe all) of the park buildings are posted.

Sounds like you guys are doing good. We've gotten some green beans and they've been delicious, though not enough to bother with canning. Still no maters yet. I wonder if all this rain isn't hurting them. My okra plants are barely knee high so got a while to wait for that too.

PM sent...

Water a little low? It hasn't stopped raining since February. Most of the creeks have more water in them than they have in 20 years. And it's really, really cold.

I don't disagree. You who are without sin cast the first stone. Sometimes a little public embarrassment is a good thing. But that's certainly not a source I'd have expected.

Hot ham & cheese on home made wheat bread, some mixed fruit, and bean salad. Washed down with some mint tea.

Tent camping has to be in a campground or back country camp site. You have to get a back country permit and make reservations if you want back country camping. All the park campgrounds are nice. Elkmont and Cades Cove are the most popular. There's a bazillion cabins and several campgrounds near the park... Gatlinburg, pigeon forge, sevierville, wears valley, Townsend, Cosby, .... Roaring fork motor trail is nice. Several short hikes off it. Porters creek trail is a good one with kids. Laurel falls, Abrams falls, little river trail, the sinks, the Y, clingmans dome,.... Lots of stuff.

Wow.

Exactly. At least he's got the cojones to say what's on his mind. A bit too blunt perhaps, but I'm sure no one misunderstood. And I'll bet he's not wrong.

Interesting. I see a man that's fed up with the pettyness that's rampant in his obviously fairly well funded church. Calling people out by name is a bit over the top, but I've seen the pastor of my church come close to that. Our pastor is a missionary at heart. He's happiest preaching in the jungle and is rejuvenated by the zeal shown by those who've never heard the gospel. His sermons in the weeks following a trip to Africa or South America are always quite empassioned to say the least.

My uncle, a GM retiree said GM pays 4 people for every 1 that actually works. 1 worker, 1 on disability, and 2 retirees. That concept sound vaguely familiar?

    Oh... I read Palm Springs.  Oops.   Bet he'll drive next time. 

    I know what you meant, but that's pretty funny.  :)

We have one of these at work...  http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwaukee-6370-21-8-in-metal-cutting-saw-with-case/miln6370-21,default,pd.html?ref=pla&zmam=31282435&zmas=47&zmac=43&zmap=6370-21&gclid=CJGLtPGnk7gCFSJlMgodeVkAdg   It's absolutely amazing.  Cuts through 1/2" mild steel plate as fast as my Makita cuts through 1/2" plywood.  The metal doesn't get particularly hot either. 

Sounds really nice, you shouldn't have too much trouble selling it. 

    The classic Asian business tactic.  I learned it well during my automotive years dealing with Korean, Chinese, and also Indian suppliers.  They effectively "buy" the business.  They quote you a low price such that they're losing money.  Then their government subsidies kick and and they slowly ratchet the price up until it's profitable for them. 

Happy 4th! Thanks to all who serve! :usa:

As much as those guys travel, I can understand wanting to carry.  But taking it to CA?  Moron.