While in Florida, we spent a great deal of time making plans for the coming year. We usually plan out our trip 4 months in advance. By the time we arrived in Sebastian at the end of March 2020, it was evident that we would have to review our plans. Ultimately, we revised or cancelled 11 reservations, and then we waited. We needed to know when, and if, we should leave Florida. Toward the end of May, we decided that we would leave Sebastian at the end of May, and head up to Ormond Beach to visit with my son David and his family. Once we were there we would review our plans to head to Michigan, We had not canceled our reservations in Mackinaw Island and Traverse City, so we rearranged our trip around those reservations. We were also looking to see if the Canadian Border would open. As of June 13, the border was not open to tourist travel. Wow, this year is definitely different that the last couple of years. We have no choice but to make the best of it, and stay safe in the process. So masks in pockets and hand sanitizer in the car and the RV, off we go.
We left Florida on June 13 and headed to Georgia for the night, and than a short stop in Chattanooga, TN and than on to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. These places were on our original plan, but are plans were to stay longer. We made the best of it, since we were starting out 10 weeks later than originally planned, knowing that we would be lucky to find anything open. At least we knew it would be cooler than Florida.
We stayed in the Cherokee National Forest, near Chattanooga TN for four days. It was just what we wanted. The attractions in the city were mostly closed, so we went hiking. The mountains and water falls were beautiful. There weren't many people there, so we had a good time enjoying nature. After all, isn't that what its all about.
Cherokee National Forest Benton, TN
 |
Hike into Cherokee National Forrest Tennessee
|
|
| View from Lookout Mountain |
 |
Benton Falls, Cherokee National Forrest Tenn
Chattanooga Tn
 | Point Park atop Lookout Mountain Chattanooga
|
Point Park looked as though it would a beautiful place to walk around. We were there on June 17, 2020 and it was closed, due to the pandemic. The views from this area were amazing. There was a Civil War Museum attached, but it was also closed. I can see that this would be a nice place to visit when things get back to normal. The cool air felt great to our Florida bodies. It was wonderful to walk around in the fresh air. We certainly enjoyed our stay here.
|
 |
| View from atop Lookout Mountain |
 |
| Hiking Lookout Mtn |
Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave was on our original plans, albeit a lot sooner. We shorten our stay here, from 2 weeks to 4 days. We weren't sure if it would even be open. The park generally has a variety of tours open. Unfortunately, there was only one tour available at this time. It was the historic cave tour. The tour was self guided, with rangers available for questions along the route. You had to make a reservation for a specific time. You lined up at your designated time, six feet apart, and than you were told when your group could enter. You had to wear masks. No problem for us, we prefer that. The cave was very large. We didn't find it as interesting as Luray Caverns in Virginia, or Carlsbad Caverns with their stalactites and stalagmites. Under normal circumstances, there are many other tours available, since Mammoth Cave has a vast cave system. I am sure that at a different time, it would have been amazing, but unless we come back at a different time, we will not have the true experience of Mammoth Cave National Park. At least we were able to enjoy a day there. It's not every day you are able to walk inside a huge cavern.
 |
This was the tuberculosis ward, the thought was the cave air would
be the cure for the disease. Sounds like the Covid stories we
are being told. |
Abraham Lincoln's Birthplace Historical Park and
Childhood Historical Park Two Parks in One Day
A short distance from Mammoth Cave was Sinking Springs Farms. The Visitor Center was open, however, the main attraction, a replica of his home, was closed We were able to walk the beautiful grounds where this amazing man spent the first few years of his life. He did not live here long. Due to ownership issues with the property, his family left his birthplace when he was two years old and moved a short distance to Knob Creek.
 |
Replica on Lincolns first home is inside this memorial, or so we were told.
We could see the top of it from one of the windows in the back.
|
 |
Sinking Spring near birthplace
|
Knob Creek is the site of the boyhood home of Abraham Lincoln. Unfortunately, it was also closed. We can only assume that this home was similar to the log cabin Abe lived in with his family. Talk about humble beginnings.
