And then we got engaged...

By Julie

(See our little Christmas tree on top of the Pumpkin?)

We decided to start a new Christmas tradition. We will now "make a day" of going to get our Christmas tree, starting with a big breakfast on Christmas china before going to the tree farm to cut down our tree. We had already decided this before David proposed at our breakfast table that morning. :) So now when we celebrate getting our tree and settling in to the Christmas season, we will also be able to celebrate the anniversary of our engagement.

Murphy's 11.28.09

Murphy's

Eatz.... the Cheers of Chattanooga. What a great place, Murph himself was inquiring about the Bus and very nice, his father even got up from his breakfast next to glowing sex and checked us out. Glowing Sex was in the corner (that is a Christmas Story reference, see the right hand side of the picture of the restaurant). Breakfast was great, service was great and by far the BEST bacon I have ever had, and I have eaten a lot of bacon.

More from Saturday 11/28/09

by Jules

On top of Lookout Mountain.

When we stopped for this picture, David told me to jump out and snap this picture while he stopped in the road. When I inquired about the safety, due to the two bums that were staring at me, David said "The police are right over there - how dangerous could it be?" (They were cleaning up a car wreck a couple blocks down.) When I repeated what he had said we both laughed and I took the picture anyway. God takes care of children and fools, right?

This was the last stop of our trip. What a great time. I can't wait to do it again soon - and who knows where we'll go next!

Saturday 11/28/09

by Julie

We had an amazing breakfast at Murphy's at the bottom of Lookout Mountain. (See David's future posting with the menu and food pics.) David declared it the best bacon he's ever eaten. David is quite the "Bacon Connoisseur", so if you dig on swine too, give Murphy's a whirl.

While we were there, a gentleman came over to us and said "Ya'll must be the ones that have that VW... I just had to come over and tell you, I traveled from one side of this country to the other and back again in one of those back in the 70's and 80's." He and David entered an animated discussion of the vehicle, and I tuned out during the engine discussions when something was said about a pancake engine and I was reminded of my breakfast that was going cold.

Everywhere we went we got thumbs ups and double peace signs from folks as we passed by. I couldn't believe how much attention it received. However, coming out of Publix that night I realized looking at the sea of cars (most shiny, dark, and new) in the parking lot just how much the Pumpkin really does stick out...

David instructed me to stay in the car with the door locked on this photo shoot. The shot below is the view to my right...

The view of the beautiful Tennessee river from the winding road going up Lookout Mountain.

Friday 11/27/09

Bellbuckle and Wartrace, TN

by Julie

I don't think coffee is what the good Lord intended for us to serve him...

The really funny part of this sign (to me) is that I don't think they meant for these two signs to blend. It was a Christian shop with all of the signs and music and "spiritual gifts" one could ever need, and then there was a coffee shop in the back. I think the coffee shop was an afterthought, perhaps when the shop wasn't getting enough traffic on it's own.

Friday, 11/27/09

Bellbuckle, Murfreesboro, and Clarksville (McDonald's)

by Julie

Decisions...

Bell Buckle Cafe, Bell Buckle, TN.

Murfreesboro, TN

David is the small man in front of the sign...

I'm a big fan of freedom of speech, but I can't help but feel like these parents are ruining McDonald's for this poor child...

Friday 11.25.09

by Dave

After a huge breakfast with the Knott Clan, Jules and I hit the road... first stop (after stopped a million times to take pictures of signs, tractors, and cars) in Clarksville and Murfreesboro was the Bell Buckle Cafe in Bell Buckle, TN. Home of the Bell Witch, Bell Caves and the Webb School.

The food was awesome, I had meatloaf, fried okra and cheesy potatoes. Then a cup of coffee and another fill up and off to Wartrace and the final destination... Raccoon Mountain and Lot 25.

Before we could get there, I was profiled and pulled over by one of Decherd, TN's finest. A lad of 22 at best who claimed not to be able find my registration on the computer.... this after he slowed down to get behind me and run my tag. If I had actually been amused, I would have asked for a picture. But I was cold, tired, violated and ready to get back on the road!