A boat race on the Tennessee River

THE END of OUR FALL TRIP

WE stopped in Chattanooga TN for a lovely

lunch on a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River.

The photos clearly show the boat races that were going on.

Chattanooga has lots of bed and breakfasts and would be a neat place

to stop for a night on the way to are from a southern locale.

In the distance is downtown Chattanooga.

More of the boat races

Lunch was good at Tony,s

A nice way to end our short but great southern trip.

A TOUR of COKE COLA MUSEUM and PLANT

While in Atlanta we visited the Coke Cola museum. It was basically a self guided tour with films, videos, character displays, actual manufacturing and bottling of Coke. The end of the tour was a tasting room with the opportunity to taste over fifty Coke products. The tour was well worth our time.

Nancy with a Coke character

Neil with an old Coke delivery vehicle

Nancy and Glenda with Peter

A view of Atlanta from the Coke grounds

Front of the Atlanta aquarium next to the Coke museum

A beautiful welcoming to the Jimmy carter
presidential library.

THE JIMMY CATER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

Our last stop for the day was the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta GA. This is the sixth presidential library that Nancy and I have visited and I would rate Carter's at least number three. All four of us had forgotten the Carter's had three sons as we could only remember Amy. The introductory film showed the three aduld sons actively campaighing for their dad in 1978. I had also forgotten that President Carter had attended the United States Naval Academy and had a long career in the Navy before leaving to return to the peanut buisness.

A view looking out from the Carter library

The old time radio and advertisements
of the carter family peanut farm

Replica of the Carter oval office!!!!!

He was not an Atlanta Brave but he was
"the Georgia Peach Ty Cobb" who was
the leader in total hits for a career before
Pete Rose came along.

OUTSIDE THE ATLANTA BRAVES STADIUM!!!!!!!

The plaza at the entrance to the stadium is huge. The reason is the stadium was originally built as a track and field stadium for the 1996 Olympics seating plus 75,000 people. After the Olympics were over the stadium was converted to a 47,000 baseball only stadium and thus you have a huge plaza. This area has many famous Atlanta Braves players and would be a great meeting place.

You will know this statue "Henry Hank Aaron"
In my opinion he is still the leader in career home runs.

Older baseball fans will know this statue the great left handed pitcher
"Warren Spahn". I saw a game in late 1963 at old Sportsmen's park where Warren beat Bob Gibson one to zero and possibly kept the Cardinals from being champions in 1963 instead of 1964.

An old knuckle ball pitcher who was active into his late forties "Phil Niekro".

A close up view of the spot in the former Atlanta stadium
where Hank Aaron hit home run #715. Nancy and I saw a game at the old stadium in 1979.

As we headed toward downtown for lunch at the Varsity we were reminded that the 1996 Olympics
where hosted by Atlanta.

A view of downtown Atlanta GA from inside the Braves stadium.

A BUSMEN"s HOLIDAY FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!

Last Friday found us in Atlanta GA touring the Braves stadium. Our tour guide was Dave and not only was he a great tour guide he was also gracious and called on me to give the Cardinal perspective several times. Dave took our group to several clubs and suites, visiting team locker room, radio booth, press box,and the dugout.



A view from near home plate.

Dave was asked why the large chair?
The answer, "one size fits all".

Inside the dugout

Across the street is the wall of the former
"Fulton County stadium".
715 marks the wall spot of Hank Aaron's home run #715.

View of stadium from the outside.

The radio booth were Skip Caray son of Harry Caray broadcast
the Braves games.

Neil and Glenda inside the dugout.

Tour guide Dave and I talk about
"Life as a baseball stadium tour guide.
More about the tour tomorrow.

THE REASON FOR OUR TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our good friends Neil and Glenda invited Nancy and I to join them for a trip to Faulkner Christian University in Montgomery AL. What makes the event and trip extra special is that former president George W. Bush is the featured speaker. The young woman who sang "God Bless America did an outstanding performance not more than twenty feet from our table. Their was an outstanding tribute paid to our veterans.

How do you introduce a former president of the USA>? You have fireworks for sound effects, a brief video of George W. Bush's life, and then the video narrator says "ladies and gentleman please stand and welcome former President George W Bush."

Former President Bush delivered a plus thirty minute speech showing the human side of a former world leader. Mr. Bush used humour, personal stories, and why he chose certain objects for the oval office.

It was inspiring to have heard and seen reasonably close a former president of our country.!!!

PART TWO VISIT WITH TODD & SARA!!!

I forgot to check Nancy's camera and she had some good pictures.

Front of Todd & Sara's home

Sara's parents hone and you could call it
"The house in the woods". It is in the woods but great views and privacy. 

Our table view of the Cumberland river at
Riverview restaurant. Great food!!!!!!

View of Cumberland river from the dock of Riverview restaurant.

Front yard but also my 2012 Hyundai
rental car as both my cars have over
100,000 miles. The dirt spots are were Todd is begining to plan and plant their flower garden.

Todd and I admiring my grandfathers hand carved cane

                           A VERY SPECIAL FALL 2011 TRIP SOUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the next few days you will see and read why I called this trip "very special". The first afternoon started off special as Nancy and I visited Todd and Sara in their lovely home in Pleasantview TN. We had a good visit including a visit To Sara's home of origin and a great Catfish dinner on the Cumberland river at Riverview restaurant in Ashland TN. Great company, good food, and a nice river view table.

Todd and Sara at the front door of their home

Todd and Sara on their couch

The three of us in their front yard

Todd and I holding a very old cane

Todd, Sara, and Grandma in front of their house

                                                  "The story of the Cane".

My grandfather Ramsey was the number one male influence in my life. My grandfather hand carved this cane probably with only a pocket knife. My grandfather was born 4/26/1888. I was born 4/7/1938. Todd came along 11/14/1988. In honor of the fifty year splits between great,great grandpa Ramsey, and Todd. I decided to give one my two hand carved canes to Todd.

HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY JAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today James celebrates birthday number nine. To me it seems like only yesterday that you were born. James, I hope you enjoy your big day. I will see you at your football game.

Taken in 2005

The 2008 James

One of my many favorite pictures!!!!!!!

Taken 9/25/2011