"Quilt Barn"

Quilt barn on Buffalo Rd. in Bluff City, Tn.

"The Eagle Has Landed"

Challenger, a bald eagle at the American Eagle Foundation in Pigeon Forge, Tn. looking down on a crescent moon.

Challenger is a non-releasable Bald Eagle in the care of the non-profit American Eagle Foundation. He is the first Bald Eagle in history trained to free fly into major sporting events during the National Anthem.

In a storm in 1989, Challenger was blown from his nest as an eaglet and hand raised by humans. During this time, he experienced too much human contact and was "imprinted". He believes he is a human and is unable to survive in the wild. Two unsuccessful release attempts resulted in Challenger almost dying and eventually being handed over to the Federal authorities. They gave Challenger to the American Eagle Foundation for care and educational programs. Challenger is named in honor of the space shuttle crew, who were killed when it disintegrated shortly after launch.

Southern Railway 630

Southern Railway's #630 steam locomotive rolls into Bristol, Va./Tn. for the evening this past July. She left out early the next morning heading for Knoxville, Tn.

A short history, with links, copied from Wikipedia

Southern Railway 630 is a steam locomotive built in 1904 by the American Locomotive Company (Richmond Works) for the Southern Railway. It is a 2-8-0 Consolidation of Southern's Ks-1 class.
The 630 was used on Southern in regular freight service until it was retired in 1952. December of that year, the 630 and 722 were purchased by the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad and numbered 207 and 208 respectively. In December 1967, both locomotives were traded back to the Southern for use in their steam excursion program and restored to their former identities in return for a pair of former Central of Georgia Alco RS3s. The steam locomotives headed main line excursion trains over the entire Southern system until 1983 when both were retired again from the Southern in favor of larger power. They both were leased to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. 722 was later loaned by Southern's successor Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) to the Asheville Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society of Asheville, North Carolina. TVRM ran the 630 until 1989 when it was yet again retired. 630 was donated to TVRM in 1999 by NS. Shortly thereafter, 630 entered TVRM's restoration shop (now Soule Shops) and underwent a thorough ten-year restoration — one of the most thorough restorations performed on a steam locomotive in the U.S. in recent years, including frame work and complete running gear overhaul. 630 returned to regular service on TVRM in March 2011 and is participating in the "21st Century Steam" program instituted by Norfolk Southern. The locomotive has toured several eastern states in 2012 for this program.
 

 

 

"Elk in Cherokee, N.C."

Smoky Mountain elk in Cherokee, N.C. on Cherokee Indian Reservation.

"Sunburst In My Front Yard"

My second attempt to create a sunburst effect.

Still needs some work but I'm starting to feel better about it!

"All Iced Up"

This mornings overcast skies didn't allow me to find my "Sunrise On the Ice" but it still gave me some pretty nice photo opportunities!

"Hanging Around"

Icicles hang from the entrance gate to Steele Creek Park in Bristol, Tn. this evening. Yeah! We had pretty much a full day of precipitation and this is the end result. Everywhere you look things are coated with about 1/2 to 3/4 inch of ice.

"Painted Sky"

This was the sky in Bristol, Va./Tn. today just after sunset. Had to run a few errands and shot this with my iPhone while I was out. The photo don't  pay justice to what the sky really looked like this evening! And an added bonus, the moon was coming up in the rear view window!

"Bristol Moonshine"

Tonight's moon shining down over my house in Bristol, Va./Tn. - "A Good Place To Live"

"Aftermath"

The famed "Bristol Sign" still stands after the April 2011 tornado ripped thru town, but most of the 1,332 bulbs used to light it up didn't do as well!

"It's A Beautiful Day"

 Clear blue sky accented by a snow covered tree on Whitetop Mtn.

"Sunburst"

 

Sun bursting thru snow capped trees going up the mountain on our way to Whitetop today!

"On the Way Home"

This is going down Lee Hwy. between Abingdon and Bristol, Va. on my way home from work. What usually takes 20 minutes on the interstate took 1 hour and 53 minutes in this mess!

Bristol Trainstation - "Union Depot"

 Bristol, Va. Train Station

The Bristol Train Station has been central to much of the local history. Indeed, local historian Bud Phillips believes "there would have been no Bristol had it not been for the coming of the railroad."   The railroad was the venue through which Bristol received goods, news,  mail and new residents.  It was also a conduit for local goods to be transported to other markets.

Local residents fondly remember shaking hands with President Herbert Hoover, meeting friends and family, and taking vacations or business trips on Number 42 to New York City. College students came to Bristol or left for university by rail.

For decades, the Train Station was the center of Bristol's community, beginning with the arrival of the first passenger train on October 1, 1856. The first train arrived at Bristol's original depot which was burned during Stoneman's raid on December 14, 1864. After the Civil War ended, a freight car was set up as a depot. In late 1865 and early 1866, a new depot was built for Bristol.  By 1881, Bristol had outgrown this depot so it was replaced by a new building in January 1882.  By 1889, a totally new depot had been designed. Although that depot was never built, the present Trainstation which was finished in 1902 bears a striking resemblance to that design.

After passenger service from Bristol was stopped, the Train Station was used for shopping & dining and then was left empty. In 1999 the Bristol Trainstation Foundation purchased the building to renovate it to its former glory and as not only a glorious meeting facility, but also a centerpiece of downtown revitalization.

"Just A Swinging"

Swinging bridge crossing Holston River in Bluff City, Tn.

Per their June 27, 2005 minutes, the Sullivan County Commissioners resolved to name this swing bridge in memory of Nellie Pratt, who was very instrumental in seeking the restoration of the bridge. 

"David Mayfield"

David Mayfield performs at Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion 2011! After a stellar performance at BRRR 2010 with Cadillac Sky, David returns for the 2011 festival front and center with his own  band,

 "The David Mayfield Parade".

Somebody must have liked it! He returned for the 2012 festival as well. This is one you don't wanna miss!

"Six Pack"

AACA Cruise in, downtown Bristol, Va./Tn.

August 12, 2011

"Southern Railway 630"

Steamer #630 rolling into Union Station in Bristol, Va./Tn. this past July on it's way home to Chattanooga.

Southern Railway 630 is a steam locomotive built in 1904 by the American Locomotive Company (Richmond Works) for the Southern Railway. It is a 2-8-0 Consolidation of Southern's Ks-1 class.
The 630 was used on Southern in regular freight service until it was retired in 1952. December of that year, the 630 and 722 were purchased by the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad and numbered 207 and 208 respectively. In December 1967, both locomotives were traded back to the Southern for use in their steam excursion program and restored to their former identities in return for a pair of former Central of Georgia Alco RS3s. The steam locomotives headed main line excursion trains over the entire Southern system until 1983 when both were retired again from the Southern in favor of larger power. They both were leased to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. 722 was later loaned by Southern's successor Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) to the Asheville Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society of Asheville, North Carolina. TVRM ran the 630 until 1989 when it was yet again retired. 630 was donated to TVRM in 1999 by NS. Shortly thereafter, 630 entered TVRM's restoration shop (now Soule Shops) and underwent a thorough ten-year restoration — one of the most thorough restorations performed on a steam locomotive in the U.S. in recent years, including frame work and complete running gear overhaul. 630 returned to regular service on TVRM in March 2011 and is participating in the "21st Century Steam" program instituted by Norfolk Southern. The locomotive has toured several eastern states in 2012 for this program.

"South Holston Lake"

South Holston Lake

"Nuff Said"

Some things just need no explanation!

"Man on a Diet" (pronounced -die eat)

This is just the begining! After killing all this salad the main course shows up. Same size plate, covered and smothered with two giant squares of lasagna and 4 pcs. of toasted pasta bread!

"Up Close with George!"

Close up shot of a quarter taken with an Apple iPhone 4s!

Not bad for a cell phone picture!

"Bristol Sign Goes Pink"

The famed "Bristol Sign" glowed in pink throughout the month of October in support of breast cancer awareness!

"Christmas in the Smokies"

 

This one was taken in 2010 during Christmas

break from the train at Dollywood.

The "Tavern Restaurant"

 

The Tavern, the oldest of Abingdon's historic buildings and one of the oldest west of the Blue Ridge, was built in 1779. It was used from it's beginning as a tavern and overnight inn for stagecoach traveler's. The Tavern has had such guests as Henry Clay; Louis Philippe, King of France; President Andrew Jackson; and Pierre Charles L'Enfant, designer of Washington D.C. The first post office on the western slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains was located in the east wing of The Tavern. The original mail slot is still in place and can be seen today from the street.
During the past two centuries, The Tavern has served as a tavern, bank, bakery, general store, cabinet shop, barber shop, private residence, post office, antique shop and restaurant. It even served as a hospital for wounded Confederate and Union soldiers during the Civil War.
In 1965, The Tavern was acquired from the Thaddeus Harris Family by Mary Dudley Porterfield, wife of the founder of the Barter Theatre. The Harris Family had owned The Tavern for more than 100 years.
In 1984, The Tavern was restored to its former glory by a local attorney Emmit F. Yeary.
In 1994, it was opened under the management of Max Hermann who moved to Abingdon in 1993 after having served twenty years with the United States Air Force. Max is a native German and lives in Abingdon with his wife Kelly.
click link to view: The "Tavern Restaurant"

"The Ugly Duck"

Walked right up to me at the lodge at Steele Creek Park this morning. I guess he thought I was gonna feed him. Ducks and geese everywhere, but this one was waddling around all by himself. Wander why?

Christmas - Pigeon Forge - 2010

This picture says three things! 

It is Christmas .... it is cold ....

and it is pretty!

Speedway In Lights - Bristol Motor Speedway!

Christmas lights at Bristol Motor Speedway. Four mile drive thru speedway property including ride down the dragstrip and a lap around the world's fastest half mile all lit up for Christmas! Two more nights and they're gone till next year!

Christmas Still Shines On Euclid Ave.

It's still Christmas in our neighborhood!

Relic Of The Past

Gateway to Bristol, Tn. on Hwy. 126 looking toward Blountville. Back in the 1930's this was the main highway between Bristol and Kingsport.