For the first morning in many weeks, I woke to a fogless sky. No gray, damp blanket hanging low, obscuring all signs of life in the neighborhood. I know the “red sky in the morning” thing but I really think this will be a good day.
Monday morning sunrise from our driveway
Another busy weekend for us. On Saturday, we took our annual trip to Carver’s Apple Barn in Cosby, TN. We are late this year, we usually go in October in time to catch the lower elevation color display in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although we talked about going throughout October, we just never got out the door. Finally, a couple of weeks past peak color, we found a spot on our calendar. So, mid-afternoon, after John participated in the West Bicycle Poker Ride, we headed out the door.
These days we go to the Apple Barn strictly for the sights and smells of fall, but nine years ago, when we made our first trip, we would buy 1/2 bushel bags of several different apples. We always had big plans to bake pies, freeze slices and dehydrate for camping, but never got around to doing all of that stuff and ended up tossing out the last of the apples as they spoiled. In recent years, we have reduced our purchase to a small bag or so. Instead, we use the opportunity to enjoy the leaves and spend several hours of uninterrupted time together.
This year, since we were leaving late in the afternoon, we decided save time by taking I-40 and the Foothills Parkway to Cosby. Due to a rock slide on I-40 at the TN-NC state line, thru traffic is routed off the interstate at Newport, TN. Since we were going only a few exits past Newport, we pretty much had the road to ourselves. Nice!
A view of the Smoky Mountains from the Foothills Parkway. Fall colors are mostly gone.
A palette of apples carried in via loader
Bushel baskets full of Corral, a new sweet, tart and firm apple
We purchased a small bag of Corrals and a small bag of Carousels (similar to the Corral). Both are new this year or at least new to us. Several of our old favorites, including the JonaGold and Pippins tasted mushy. Not sure what determines the taste and texture of apples but it definitely varies year to year.
John surveying the apple choices
Oh…the choices of jams, jellies, relishes, chow chow and other goodies are unbelievable. After walking around and around the barn, we finally selected a jar of Smoky Mountain honey and one of orange marmalade too! Yum, yum!
Sunday afternoon was clear and sunny and John was restless to get back on the bike. He mumbled something about wishing he had a riding partner, then glared at me. I am sure I must have squirmed in my chair and replied something about needing motivation, a destination of sorts. He suggested several different locations but I was thinking about earlier, when we went out out for coffee and drove past the Sunsphere. Hmmm, the Sunsphere, I have always wanted to go to the observation deck and look out over the city. Ding, ding, ding….DESTINATION!!
The Sunsphere has been a Knoxville landmark since the 1982 World’s Fair (that’s 27 years for anyone counting). During the World’s Fair, I worked as a buyer for a regional department, located across the street from the fairgrounds. We often watched the activities from our windows and our group, a number of young, upcoming retail types, went to the World’s Fair Flamingo Lounge every Friday night. But somehow, I never got around to getting on the elevator and going up in the Sunsphere.
After the World’s Fair closed and several restaurant attempts failed, the Sphere closed for years. Recently, the city found the money to fix it up and opened the observation deck for tourists. Here was my perfect opportunity to explore!
View from the observation deck
Looking south, Church Street United Methodist Church is in the foreground, behind it, Henley Street Bridge (one of two bridges I often use to run across the river)
An unexpected visitor in the Sphere, most likely wishing he could get out
The Tennessee River and a corner of the University of Tennessee. The view is a little hazy cause the windows are REALLY dirty!
Looking up from the base of the Sunsphere
The Sunsphere and World’s Fair Park reflected in a pool
Heron sitting motionless, intent on finding his dinner (Tennessee River)
John waiting patiently while I take picture from the South Knoxville Bridge
After the Sunsphere, we rode our bikes onto the University campus and down to the waterfront. We followed the greenway for a while, then finally crossed the South Knoxville Bridge and headed home. All in all, it was a fine fall weekend.
