Has it been only a week since vacation's end? Feels like a month. Camping equipment is clean, stored and waiting for the next adventure, as yet uncommitted to. Amazing how fast I slide back into the old routine of work, chores and not enough play...from my perspective anyway!

In case you don't keep up with college football, UT beat arch rival Univ. of Florida on Saturday night. The score was 30 to 28. UT-FL football is just not the same without UT's nemesis, Steve Spurrier. John and I watched the game with my family; we missed watching Steve throw his visor, jump up and down and twist his face in unnatural expressions. Alas, Coach Phil Fullmer must have breathed a sigh of relief, the team squeaked by another year. Of course there is some question about illegal clock use at the end of the game that allowed UT to score the winning field goal.

We do not usually attend UT football activities but had no plans for Saturday so we decided to go to the riverfront to see that was goin' on. Activities were minimal so we strolled on the boardwalk, ate hot dogs and barbecue from Calhoun's outdoor stand and settled into a swing (on the boardwalk) to do some serious people watching. The Vol flotilla, usually an impressive display of money and horsepower, was small. On Thursday, the Coast Guard issued a stong warning against boating on the Tennessee River until the effects of Hurricane (tropical storm) Ivan subside. Water levels on Saturday were still high and the current, very swift. Five hours before the game, loyal Vol fans were out in mass, parading their amazing orange outfits up and down the boardwalk. Frightening what some people will wear in public.

Over the weekend, Hurricane Ivan also made his presence known on I-40 at mile marker 4, just over the TN-NC state line. High water levels in the Pigeon River washed away a 180' stretch of the right hand lane of the Interstate, east. The entire interstate was closed with plans to open one lane on each side by Monday. Repairs are expected to take at least 6 months.

This could derail our usual Asheville Christmas trip:-((...



Downtown Knoxville from the Gay Street Bridge

Calhoun's on the River, game day