July 2--Knoxville to Little Rock

We left Knoxville about noon,  but not before some goodbye kisses-

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And waves

Thursday, June 28 Greenville to Knoxville

Scenes from the Blue Ridge Parkway...

The Blue Ridge Parkway has always been one of my favorite drives.  I didn't know until this trip,  however,  that there was a Masonic marker near Balsam campground.  Check out the story behind the marker. 

Rick from Pikes Peak

Rock from Malta. 

One sign, two sides...

First meal of trip, eclectic leftovers in the mountains

The trip! Background and overview

I have the opportunity this summer to drive my brother's  2003 Volkswagen camper van from Knoxville,  TN, to Oakland, CA.  I've enlisted the assistance of my friend Karen Irving,  to help with the fun.  We plan to visit as many national parks along the way as we can. 

When we leave Oakland,  we'll board an Amtrak and head north. We will change from the Coast Starlight to the Empire Builder route in Portland, OR, and travel east near the Canadian border,  winding up in Chicago on July 18. After a night in the windy city,  we will board separate planes, Karen to Knoxville, me to Charlotte.  I'll be spending a few days there with family before returning home on July 24.

Stay tuned!  We are excited.

My intention was to update the blog daily,  but I'm already behind.   I've been having too much fun! 

We are very excited and hope you will follow our adventures here!  Also,  please leave comments!

Love,  Grace-Ann and Karen

Friday, June 29 Knoxville

Friday was spent hanging out in downtown Knoxville in Richard and Ginger's loft. I played tourist and went to a free concert at the Knoxville Visitor Center.  WDVX broadcasts from there,  and they have a live concert each day at noon.  It's called the Blue Plate Special.  After lunch at Market Square I rode the free trolley to the University of Tennessee campus and back.
Dinner was pizza at Barley's tap room with Mary Ellen; Ben, Sarah, and Eloise; and Amos and Tasha.

Cannon Creek band performing at Knoxville's Visitor Center.  No,  we aren't related.

Art on the side of the Visitor Center

Prelude

Karen and I are about to embark on an amazing travel adventure. Stay tuned!