What a fun 12 days. On my first day there, Aunt Jeane and I were headed to Jefferson City and happened upon this that I can only refer to as Tennessee Trailer Trash. I got out to take a couple of pics and a car speeded to a stop behind us. I was on my way back to the car by that point. As I pulled back out onto the highway, the car behind, pulled out and turned around. A couple of days later, the word "FUCK" was painted next to the T.
That night, we went to one of my most favorite places to eat Cardin's. It is a drive-in restaurant. Used to people, sat and ate in their cars. In recent years, they have added a lot of picnic tables and a little visit came to see us.
On Saturday, we started off with breakfast at The Lunch House in Burlington in East Knoxville. Country Ham Biscuit. Yuuuuuum.
The Rossini Festival
SSSSURPRISSSSE(Sorry to the Ophidiophobics, I made the pics as small as possible. Its name is Feather the Boa.)
After breakfast, the big event of the day was The Rossini Festival in downtown Knoxville. There were several music stages throughout downtown and lots of artisans and food vendors. We were walking along Gay Street when this happened.
After walking around a bit, we decided to sit for some pics.
I am a fan of urban murals so, of course I had to get a pic of this.
Waiting for the Knoxville Gay Men's Chorus to perform. I was impressed with the amount of people who attended their performance and offered their support.
After their performance (we had been there for about 7 hours), we headed home.
Baby Birds
These baby Robins are in Aunt Jeane's gazebo.
Dalton, Georgia
On the first Sunday, Aunt Jeane and I went down to Dalton for me to visit my dear friend Jason. I really regret not getting a picture with him. I did take a picture of my lunch at Western Sizzlin' steakhouse.
Titanic in Pigeon Forge and Clingman's Dome in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Titanic exhibit was very interesting but they allowed no pictures to be taken inside. I did learn one interesting fact: Instead of using marble on the floors inside, they used linoleum because it was a modern miracle at the time. When we went in, we were given the boarding pass for passengers on the ship. Aunt Jeane received a woman in Second Class. I received a member of the crew. I immediately knew our fates. At the end of the tour, we found out I was right. She lived, I met the fate of Jack.
Aunt Jeane needed a rest before continuing the walk up the circular walkway to the observation tower.
Flowers
We went to a couple of garden nurseries while I was there. So much prettiness.
The Dogwood Arts Festival
On my final Saturday there, we went to the Arts and Crafts fair at The Dogwood Arts Festival in downtown Knoxville. Aunt Jeane thought this would be a funny pic for my cousin April since she drinks beer.
While at the festival, we ran into one of April's college classmates who was selling some of her beautiful hand-made KDD Jewelry.
The Book at Brad Renfro's Grave
On my last full day there, Aunt Jeane and I went to Blaine to visit late actor Brad Renfro's grave (it is about 20 minutes from Strawberry Plains but we went from Jefferson City since we had gone to Hardee's for breakfast). I first went in December, 2008 almost a year after Brad had died.
Along the way, we happened upon Buffalo Springs, which I had never seen and did not know existed. What a beautiful waterfall.
(Feel free to leave a message for Brad)
(L.A. California R.I.P. Brad You are not forgotton (sic))
(Dear Brad To a free spirit who has flown home. Take care, Tom)
This message was on a hotel notepad and written over several pages.
(4-20-2016 Brad- I miss you man. Before I left L.A. ...)
(...I went to the apt. off of Fairfax...)
(...Just to remember - I wish things were different...)
(...You could of (sic) gone all the way to the top man...)
(...You had the talent and the heart...)
(...We love you and the work you left us...)
(...It will remain Thanks for givin' your all man...)
(...See you on the other side brother, Jesse L.A., California)
(5-1-2016 Rest in peace, Brad. I left Mark's song he wrote in memory of you.
-Bobby French
Austin, TX
P.S. We were both born in East Tennessee, got away,but couldn't stay away)
The night before going to the cemetery, I had written down the lyrics to the song "Downtown" that Mark Foster wrote for his late friend Brad Renfro and had placed the lyrics into a baggie to leave at Brad's grave in Red House Cemetery. It took three pages for all of the lyrics.
Brad's grave is at the rear of the cemetery on the other side of a small hill under a large tree (the driveway to the cemetery is very steep, as you can see in the first pic). When Aunt Jeane and I got there on the morning of Sunday, May 1, 2016, I was surprised to see someone had left a small notebook sealed in a baggie on the top of Brad's grave marker weighed down by a large flat rock. I unzipped the baggie and removed the book. It had been started recently, there were only a few entries. The only dated item was from April 20, 2016. I wanted to share with you what I saw in the book so I took pics of the of the entries. I have edited out information that identifies anyone beyond their first name. I look forward to going back to visit Brad in December to see what has been added to the book.
This message was on a hotel notepad and written over several pages.
-Bobby French
Austin, TX
P.S. We were both born in East Tennessee, got away,but couldn't stay away)
Uncle Butch's Birthday
That afternoon, we met up with Aunt Connie and Uncle Butch at Cheddar's in North Knoxville for Uncle Buth's birthday lunch. Toward the end of the meal, I sneaked out and tied this Happy Birthday balloon onto their car.
Goodbye, Knoxville
As with tradition, the Smoky Mountain bears got a dollar from me on my way to the Nazi security station at the Knoxville airport.
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