September 1995 -- Knoxville, Orlando & States In--between

Bev and Marguerite’s next trip took them to Tennessee and the southern states. Marguerite’s sister Althea had a close friend (Nina) from Sterling that was living in Knoxville with her family. Bev, Marguerite and Althea boarded the flight in Denver and had a layover in Chicago. Althea, being older, agreed that wheelchair transportation at the airport was the way to go when transferring planes. Airline personnel took them to the designated location; but then it was changed and they needed to change terminals. This time, although she did not agree she needed one, a wheelchair was ordered for Marguerite. (She told everyone that it was necessary because of Bev’s large carryon.) Personnel took them through the underground tunnel to the other terminal. Then they continued their flight into Knoxville.

While visiting with Nina and her family, it was decided that the next day everyone would use their car and tour the area. The first drive was through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is the most visited National Park in America. It is part of the Appalachian Mountains Chain, the oldest mountains in America; being four times older than the Rockies. Along with 900 miles of numerous trails, the park also has 70 preserved pioneer structures and homesteads. Needless to stay, today’s journey would only touch a few of these.

The first area they visited was Cades Cove. For over 100 years, this was a thriving community; reaching 685 people by 1850. Many of the historic structures in the park are located in this area. There is an 11-mile-one-way loop road that takes you around the cove. The cove was originally named after one of the first settler’s wife, Kate, but the name evolved into Cades Cove instead. There were five churches in the Cove in the 1920’s and three of them still stand today. While walking through some of the graveyards, one finds interesting grave markers. One dating back to the Civil War era simply states, “Bas Shaw – killed by Rebels.” Other buildings in the area include preserved homesteads, blacksmith shop, and a working corn mill. Bev brought home a bag of corn flour as a souvenir.

Bev had originally wanted to visit Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, but the group opted to see Gatlinburg instead. The first stop in Gatlinburg was the Aerial Tramway. This is America’s largest aerial tramway; with 120-passenger trams departing every 20 minutes for a ride up to Ober Gatlinburg. Once arriving at the top, one has an awe-inspiring view of the Smokies. Because of predicted rain, it was cloudy that day; but, the view was still breathtaking.

The next stop was the Christus Gardens. The area is designed to present highlights from the life of Christ through dioramas. In addition to dioramas is the Place of the Parables. A parable is a short narrative or story which makes a moral or religious point by identifying the elements of its message with things or situations that are natural and familiar to those listening. The display takes nine of Jesus’ 39 parables and interprets them through paintings. The focal point of the Gardens is the face of Jesus carved in Carrara marble. The 6-ton-concave structure is “magic” and seems to follow the movements of the viewer.

As the day progressed the day got cloudy and colder. When they started back to Knoxville, the rain had begun to fall. Everyone was glad to get back home; especially Althea, who throughout the day had been sitting on the center console of the car.

The next morning Althea remained in Knoxville for a visit, and Bev and Marguerite headed for Atlanta, GA. On the way there they made a stop at Chattanooga, TN. Here is a museum to the infamous Chattanooga Choo Choo. The trail depot, which originally opened in 1909, is now on the National Historic Register.

After they crossed the border into Georgia, there next decision was what to visit while in Atlanta. They had reservations in Orlando, FL that night, so their time in Atlanta was limited. Bev had wanted to see the Martin Luther King museum; whereas, Marguerite wanted to visit the Jimmy Carter museum. They agreed that whichever exit came first off of the highway that would be the one they would choose.

President Jimmy Carter Library and Museum was a wonderful choice. The Museum of the Jimmy Carter Library includes photographs and historical memorabilia from the Carter presidency (1976 - 1981). An exact replica of the Oval Office and gifts received by the Carters are also featured. A permanent exhibit of significant events occurring during Jimmy Carter's life and political career includes photographs with interpretative text. Although the significance of the museum was due to his being President, the museum gave a full understanding of the man both before the presidency and after. It outlined the work he had accomplished since the presidency and his receipt of the Nobel Prize.

One of the goals for this trip was for Marguerite to get a chance to visit the Epcot Center at DisneyWorld. So after leaving Atlanta, they entered the state of Florida and headed to Orlando. Here they would become ‘young adults’ again and enjoy the adventures of DisneyWorld.

Opting to see what they could of the area, they purchased a 4-day pass that would allow them to travel between the different parks. The first park visited was Epcot. This park is divided into two primary areas – Future World and World Showcase. Although still an amusement park, the area focuses on learning. Spaceship Earth focused on the history of communication. World of Motion was a humorous tour through the history of transportation. The Living Sea and The Land focused on the world. Journey of Imagination provided a 3D presentation of “Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Body Wars was a thrill ride that took the rider on a miniturized ride through the human body.

World Showcase was represented by 11 countries. Each area provided various types of entertainment, food, shopping and cultural awareness. Mexico had a replica of Chichen Itza; Norway had a lifesize troll and a replica of the Stave Church. China provided a Circle-Vision-360 degree tour of their country. This was also a stopping point for lunch. Germany and Italy had replicas of cities and buildings; Italy providing a look at Venice without the canals. The United States was represented with an Audio-Animatronics show of American history. One was greeted by characters (Benjamin Franklin) in vintage costumes. Morocco and Japan architecture was also represented; Japan having a life-size pagoda. France and Canada each had a 360 degree tour of their countries; and United Kingdom had a representative pub. The day ended with a World Festival of Kites. Kites of all shapes, sizes, and colors were flown over the lake. Then a monorail ride back to the entrance; and, a shuttle ride back to the motel.

The layout of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is very similar to that of Disneyland. However, that does not mean that one cannot enjoy the adventure awaiting them as they pass through the gates. A walk down Main Street gives the home-town, family atmosphere that Disney strives to project. Bev and Marguerite’s first adventure brought them up close and personal with the 4-D presentation of ExtraTerroestrial Alien Encounter in Tomorrowland. They were disappointed that Space Mountain was not operational. All the parks had various outdoor performances going on throughout the day. This included a performance with Mickey and the other Disney characters on the stage in Mickey’s Starland.

The train ride then took Bev and Marguerite to Frontierland. The notable ride in this area of the park was the one on Splash Mountain. Country Bear Jamboree was entertaining. One also should not miss the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square or the “tropical serenade” at the Tiki Room in Adventureland. From here it was off to MGM Studios. The monorail made it convenient to travel between the parks.


MGM Studios is designed to give one the feeling of being on a backstage lot while filming the next blockbuster is taking place. Areas such as ‘Sunset Boulevard’ recreate Hollywood’s golden age of the 1930s and 40s. The Grahman Theatre replica did the “Ride the Greatest Movie Scenes of All Time” deplicting scenes from many famous movies. Ariel (Little Mermaid), R2D2 (Star Wars), Kermit the Frog and other characters were performing at their own theaters. There was an Indiana Jones stunt performance. Seeing the Brown Derby brought back memories for Marguerite of her time spent in California during World War II.

Outside the Disney World grounds near the hotel, Bev and Marguerite discovered Orlando’s newest theme park – Spendid China. Before leaving the Orlando area, they decided to take a day and explore. The park did not disappoint them. Although in minature, everything at Splendid China had been re-created in authentic detail to surround one with the true essence of the Orient. The one reproduction is that of Leshan Buddha, which stands 4-stories high. The original Buddha in China actually stands over 235 feet tall and than 10 adults can stand on each toe. There are over 70 exhibits, several restaurants and dazzling stage performances that included Asian music, dance, gymnastics and a kaleidoscope of vivid costumes.

From here Bev and Marguerite headed northeast along the coastline of Florida. They made a quick stop to put their feet into the Atlantic Ocean at Daytona Beach before heading for St Augustine.

The vicinity of St. Augustine was first explored in 1513 by Spanish explorer and governor of Puerto Rico, Ponce de Leon, who claimed the region for the Spanish crown. Several earlier attempts at European colonization in what is now Florida were made by both Spain and France, but all failed. St Augustine was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles, making it the oldest permanent European settlement in North America. Spanish St. Augustine was the first of only three walled cities ever constructed in North America; the other two are (English) Charleston, South Carolina and (French) Quebec City, Canada.

Though its construction started in 1672 the Castillo de San Marcos’ history embodies the struggle and contest of the entire colonial era as well as the foundations of American identity. A bastion of the largest empire ever created, the Castillo was built to protect and defend Spain’s claims in the New World. Though caught in the whirlwinds of colonial warfare and intrigue, it was never defeated in battle. Its scarred walls still stand witness to over 300 years of history and culture. The 300 years of the colonial era (c. 1500-1800) were ones of constant warfare. As European countries vied with each other for the economic wealth in the “New Worlds” they increasingly came into military conflict as well. Encounters starting in Europe, Africa, Asia or the Americas quickly escalated into international global warfare. The Castillo de San Marcos, though a remote outpost, weathered many attacks during these almost incessant colonial wars.

As one walks through town they can visit the oldest remaining Spanish Colonial house, the oldest store, the oldest wooden schoolhouse and other representations of the earliest era. Henry Flagler,a partner with John D. Rockefeller in Standard Oil arrived in St. Augustine in the 1880s and was the driving force behind turning the city into a winter resort for the wealthy northern elite. Flagler bought a number of local railroads which were incorporated into the Florida East Coast Railway, which built its headquarters in St. Augustine. Flagler contracted the New York architectural firm of Carrère and Hastings to design a number of extravagant buildings in St. Augustine, among them the Ponce de Leon Hotel and the Alcazar Hotel built on land purchased from Flaglers' friend and associate Dr. Andrew Anderson as well as the Memorial Presbyterian Church. These buildings can also been seen as one strolls through St Augustine; however, Flagler College now occupies the original Ponde de Leon Hotel & Resort built by Flagler in 1888. Bev and Marguerite stayed at the Bayfront Inn and had a seafood dinner at Barnacle Bill’s restaurant.

(Other tidbits of St Augustine history -- the first recorded birth of a black child in the continental United States is in the Cathedral Parish Archives. Augustin was recorded as born in the year 1606, thirteen years before enslaved Africans were first brought to the English colony at Jamestown in 1619. Another tidbit -- Flagler had Albert Spalding design a baseball park in St. Augustine, and the waiters at his hotels, under the leadership of Frank P. Thompson, formed one of America's pioneer professional black baseball teams, the Ponce de Leon Giants. It later became the Cuban Giants, and one of the team members, Frank Grant, has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.)

Naval Station Mayport is located near the Port of Jacksonville on the St. Johns River in northeast Florida. The station's harbor can accommodate up to 34 fleet units, including two aircraft carriers. More than 23 ships call Mayport home. On 24 June 1994, the Navy's oldest active duty aircraft carrier, USS SARATOGA, completed her final voyage, returning to Mayport from a 6-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. Presently, the USS JOHN F KENNEDY (CV 67) is homeported in Mayport. Bev had seen notices that the USS Kennedy would be arriving in port the day they headed north to South Carolina. It was quite a thrill to see the families united with the returning servicemen.

Bev and Marguerite continued to follow the coastline north until they reached Charleston, SC. Here resides Fort Sumter National Monument. This is where the Civil War began on April 12, 1861. After South Carolina had seceded from the Union, they asked that the Northern troops vacate the fort. Confederacy troops fired on the fort, and the Civil War began. Fort Sumter National Monument encompasses three sites in Charleston: the original Fort Sumter, the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center, and the Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island. Fort Moultrie is the name of a series of citadels on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, built to protect the city of Charleston, South Carolina.

Also in Charleston is Patriots Point. The Yorktown, the famous “fighting lady” of World War II, is the flagship of the point’s fleet. Commissioned April 15, 1943, she fought in many historic battles during the war; her planes inflicted heavy damage on the Japanese at Truk and the Marianas, and she supported American group tropps in the Phillipines, at Iwo Jima, and at Okinawa. Yorktown also patrolled the western Pacific during the Cold War and Vietnam; as well as, recovering the crew of Apollo 8 in December, 1968. The Yorktown is now open as a museum at Patriots Point.

The other museum at the Point is the World War II submarine Clamagore. Commissioned June 28, 1945, she operated in the Atlantic and Mediterranean throughout her entire career. She was present during the tense Cuban waters during 1962. The Navy’s last diesel-powered submarine was decommissioned in 1975.

From here Bev and Marguerite headed northwest to Asheville, NC. This added North Carolina to their list of states that they had visited. Between this trip and the one they took together in 1993 to Washington, DC they have now visited 11 of the eastern states together.

Asheville, NC is home to the Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore House remains the largest private residence in America. It was the home of George Vanderbilt, grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, and is now a national historic landmark. This 250-room French Renaissance chateau has four acres of floor space and is filled with the original collection of furnishings and art, allowing guests a glimpse at an era of opulence. Each year, the estate gardeners plant and tend to over 50,000 builts of tulips and dutch iris imported from Holland. The Estate Winery produces 40,000 cases of fine wines per year.

From here there was a more direct route back to Knoxville, but Bev wanted to see more of Eastern Tennessee. Her main goal was to find the grave of Davy Crockett. Along the way they encountered covered bridges dating back to 1882. Davy Crockett was born in 1786; and, died at the Alamo in 1836. He was a famous frontiersman, Tennessee statesman, and defender of the Alamo. He was brought to Bev’s attention through the Disney television show depicting his life. He became a childhood icon.
The trip back to Knoxville took them through the town of Jonesborough, which is the oldest town in Tennessee. Next, they stopped in Greenville, TN at President Andrew Johnson’s National Park. The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site honors the life of the 17th President. Andrew Johnson's presidency, 1865-1869, illustrates the United States Constitution at work following President Lincoln's assassination and during attempts to reunify a nation torn by civil war. His presidency shaped the future of the United States and his influences continue today. Along with a museum, his home is on the property; where he lived while working as a tailor and after his presidency.

They returned to Knoxville and spent the night with Nina’s family before heading back to Colorado. Nina’s great-nephew worked for the airlines and was able to get the return seats upgraded to first class. When seated, Althea and Marguerite were worried that the airline was going to get upset with them for sitting in the first class.