40's At Night. Time to aim the pointy end south...

After a few restful nights anchoring in the scenic foothills of the Smokies, we rejoined the "father river"- and began our long trek back west and south.  We're currently back in Chattanooga.  Vicki's mom, Avie, is here with us.  She'll cruise with us to Guntersville, AL.  But first, let us catch you up on our whereabouts and activities since "Dancing Bear" melded with Tennessee's Native Americans.

First, knowing that Norm is a bluegrass music fan, Vicki set up a surprise.  She purchased tickets to a "Bluegrass Underground" concert 300' deep in the Cumberland Caverns.  We got into the car and drove 1.5 hours from Chattanooga to the Caverns.  Norm was ecstatic.

 Here's Vicki entering the caverns--an old illegal hiding place for a still

A huge screen behind the stage welcomes everyone to the caverns

This "room" is 300 feet below the surface inside the caverns

This is the "Spirit Family Reunion".  Guess where they are from---Brooklyn!!

A few days later, Avie arrive in Chattanooga.  We visited the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel and Museum.  Here's Avie engineering the Choo Choo.

 Vicki and Avie at the Three Sisters Bluegrass Festival.  Sorry, our video's of this event on Norm's phone did not turn out well.  All in all, the festival was, well, super awesome!!

The Delta Queen paddleboat is moored in Chattagooga.  It's a hotel, a restaurant and a bar.  Lots of fun.

We also watched the hot air balloons on the north side of the river.  Awesome!!

We'll close off todays post with this pic of Vicki and Avie at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

See ya, next post.  Hope all is well.  We depart tomorrow from our summer home for our winter home.