And They're Off

(Wednesday, Mr. Shunshopper's post) Drove to Hickory Tuesday night to spend the night with Mr. S's children so we could get an early jump on travel.  Note the sign greeting us at the front door upon arrival.

Headed up the mountain on Wednesday morning enroute to Chattanooga.  Left the interstate past Asheville to begin our shunpiking experience through the Great Smoky Mountains.  Absolutely spectacular - through North Carolina's beautiful mountains; by great trout streams; breathtaking sights; through the Nantahala Gorge, venturing into Tennessee.

Driving a larger vehicle (cargo van) to haul back all of Ms S's booty acquired at the World's Longest Yard Sale, I confess that driving was a bit challenging through endless miles of winding mountain roads.  But we are professional road warriors - we don't give up easily.

Eventually ended our journey for the day in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where we spent the night on the Delta Queen Hotel.  If you don't know, the Delta Queen is a steamboat.  Built in the 1920's, she was in passenger service until 2008.  Because of federal law, she can no longer transport passengers (she's a wooden paddlewheeler) on America's rivers, so she is moored on the Tennessee River as a floating hotel.

We spent time seeing the sights in Chattanooga (by the way, if you haven't been there, it's worth the visit), enjoyed dinner at a nice restaurant, and enjoyed even more sitting outside our cabin watching activity on the river.  It was great fun, and a real honor to stay on this national historical treasure.

It has been a great start to the shunpiking Big Adventure, but tomorrow the real work begins.  As much research as Ms S has done preparing (I think she watched an episode on HGTV) for this "experience," neither of us really know what to expect.  Expecting the worst, I've equipped myself with body armor, firearms and various explosives.  (Author's note to the FBI and ATF - if you're reading this blog message, I'm kidding about the firearms and explosives.)

But in good spirits and with high expectations, we'll keep you advised of our journey.  Starting in Chattanooga, we will go as far as Crossville, Tennessee on Thursday.  Wish us luck.