My Old Stomping Ground

 My mother used to call this area her old stomping ground.  These photos were made near Norris, Tennessee, at and around the Norris Dam area.  My mother graduated from Norris High School.  I could say it is my old stomping grounds, too, since I have been to these beloved sights so often in my life.  They all hold a special place in my heart and it was so wonderful to visit them again recently after a long absence.

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Crossing Paths

The tranquil river view George was enjoying as he sat there
smoking his cigar.

Sunday Clint and I were scouting out potential fishing spots. We headed out for a spot on the Clinch River. I was familiar with this river access from long ago, my famiy had often fished there.

As we pulled down the little gravel road to the river, the first thing we noticed was an old truck. I do mean old truck.

There was a man sitting on the river bank smoking a cigar, enjoying the majestic river view with his best friend Fred. The man went on to explain he was not fishing that day, he had only brought Fred so he could cool off in the river.

The stranger's name was George, he said he had moved to this area from southern California two years ago after having visited a friend here. He made the decision after the visit here to move here, saying "it was the most beautiful place he'd ever seen." He left some famiy members behind in California. In his past he told us he had worked as a carpenter and a mechanic. I couldn't have agreed more with George's statement about this area's beauty. I was thinking of my own desperation to return home to Tennessee.

George's best friend Fred cooling off in the Clinch River ... I had said "Smile Fred" as I
snapped this picture.  Contrary to the way he looks in the photo,
he was very friendly and lovable.



Oh, about that truck ... I had noticed it had a California
tag in front.  It was a 1952 Ford and was not just
any old truck ...



George's truck had been used in the production and
promotion of the hit TV series

Sanford and Son.

 George made an impression on us. We left wondering about George's "story". Clint and I are always wondering about peoples' "stories". Often we say, "I would love to know his or her story." We all have a story. They are so darn fascinating to me. Within minutes of meeting George, I was thinking he was an interesting character. Yes, it did cross my mind that he would have been a good blog subject but he was there enjoying the peace and solitude of the beautiful day and I wanted to respect it. Our entire encounter only lasted about 20 minutes but Clint and I are still talking about George and Fred. It's still a mystery to me why this stranger has made such an impression on us. We can't explain it.




Just had to pull up the old Sanford and Son theme song. My mom and I used to laugh together when we would watch it. It brought a smile to my face as I just listened to it and watched it.

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Time Traveling

Here I am standing at the over look at Norris Dam in the fall of 1966.

 

My husband Clint standing in the same spot as I was
above in May 2012, 46 years later.

 

 

My sister Patti and I standing by a tower at Norris Dam
in the fall of 1966.

 

It's a little difficult to see but I placed an arrow at the "tower"
where my sister Patti and I were standing
in the previous photo in 1966.

A 2012 arial view of  Norris Dam.

 

Patti and I at the grist mill near Norris Dam on
Labor Day, September 1965.

 



The same spot as above 47 years later.  This photo
was made in May 2012. 

I was struck how much moss there was in the photo.



Father Time, could you slow down a little bit ... please?

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