Category: Fun

After three years in Germany on my first assignment in the Army, I requested an assignment to Fort Jackson, SC. Helen (adorable wife) wanted to be a little closer to home, and we both wanted to be near the Carolina Beaches that we had grown up loving. As we planned our trip to Edisto Beach, SC we agreed that we should stay a couple of nights at Fort Jackson to break up the drive and to see if the installation had changed in forty plus years. We also wanted to visit with some old friends and neighbors of ours during the year we lived in Berlin now living in a new home several miles from the base. My job was to make the reservation at Weston Lake Campground operated by the installation and Helen’s task was to contact our friends.  We were successful on both fronts.

We looked forward to this trip for several reasons.  Many years had passed since we last saw our friends, Ron and Nina.  Ron made a career in the Army and had many interesting assignments. He and Nina had lived in a variety of locations both here and overseas and we wanted to hear all about it. Although we had exchanged a few Christmas cards over the years and had made a few contacts on social media, we were still eager to catch up on life, kids, and careers.  In addition to seeing them, we looked forward to taking a trip to the beach in Gracey, our travel trailer.  We had last spent some time on the road during our trip to Florida and Jekyll Island in February and March and were chomping at the bit to get back on the road less traveled.  After our last trip, Helen had undergone knee replacement and looked forward to a little time in the sun to work out a few kinks. In addition, we would be picking up two of our grandchildren to take them with us with us for one night at Edisto Beach. This would be the first time either of them had been camping (although camping in Gracey is best described as “glamping”) and we hoped that they would enjoy the experience.

To our delight, Weston Lake Campground turned out to be very nice and spacious. We arrived after hours and took the first campsite we found that backed up to the lake.  Once Gracey was hooked up, we decided to prepare a quick meal of hot dogs on the grill and called it an early night because we wanted to watch the hockey game between Winnipeg and the Nashville Predators. Thankfully, the Predators pulled out a win.

The next day we visited the Commissary and Post Exchange to stock up on provisions for our week at the beach.  Fort Jackson has been upgraded considerably since we first arrived on the installation. I recognized a few of the buildings, but most were unfamiliar and there were times when I felt somewhat like I had never been there. Old barracks and hospital buildings have been torn down and new dormitory buildings have replaced them.  Likewise, the former commissary has disappeared and a new, modern supermarket has taken its place. A new Post Exchange is equally as nice. We found everything we needed for our trip.

Later that afternoon, we met Ron and Nina at their beautiful home which was built just outside of Columbia, SC while Ron was stationed at Fort Benning, GA. During the time the home was under construction, Nina would travel to the job site from Benning at least monthly to work with their contractor. As a former home builder, I am amazed that everything went smoothly with a future owner being away for much of the time, but the finished product is a tribute to both Nina and her builder. A lovely home stands as a result of both their efforts. 

After a delightful afternoon of catching up, we followed Ron and Nina to Julia’s German Restaurant near Fort Jackson.  This very small eatery was packed when we arrived at around 6:00 pm. Nina told us to expect a crowd and we found one.  Julia, the owner, was milling about greeting customers and engaged in lively conversation with all of them in her heavily accented English. There were no tables available when we arrived so we waited at the small bar and enjoyed some good German wine and beer until something opened up. The time required at least two beers, but it was worth the wait.

Once seated, everyone ordered a schnitzel something-or-other. They were large and they were good! I wish all Easin’ Along readers could have a taste, but the pictures will have to do for now. Nina, who speaks fluent German, chatted with Julia at some point during dinner, and almost as soon as we finished eating, Julia walks up with a round of apple schnapps for the four of us and one for herself.  This was a highlight of the evening and we toasted each other heartily then slammed back the schnapps. For dessert, Helen and I ordered a chocolate layer cake that was divine, plus an apple strudel that was to die for. We couldn’t eat all of the desserts, but Julia had it boxed and it found its way to Gracey’s refrigerator. When it was time to leave, Helen and I felt like we had made a new friend, and vowed to return the next time we pass through Columbia. We thanked Ron and Nina profusely for showing us a wonderful evening and promised to stay in touch in a series of long good-byes.

Gracey was hooked up and on the road by mid-morning.  We took a few pictures of the campground for our Military Living readers before we left and want to let them know that the facilities are excellent and the recreational opportunities are numerous to include swimming, boating, kayaking, as well as camping. We recommend it to all military personnel. Nevertheless, it was time to pick up our granddaughters.

When we arrived for the rendezvous, the grands and their parents came out to meet us, packed and ready to go.  We were loaded and moving south in less than twenty minutes. Once inside Live Oak Campground at Edisto Beach State Park, Helen entertained the girls while I connected the utilities and made sure Gracey was ready for a big week. The girls had a ball figuring out the weird screen door handle and must have dropped the window shades each about three times each, but it was good to see them excited about living in a camping trailer. Soon, it was time to hit the beach.

Neither Helen nor I had ever been here.  We will have more to report after we explore the area, but this day was devoted to grandchildren fun. The beach is lovely, wide, and not at all crowded.  The afternoon was spent letting the girls run off some energy and build sand castles.  When it came time to leave, they were reluctant, but the promise of a hamburger and mac and cheese got a modicum of cooperation from each of them. With dinner finished, they schmoozed Big Daddy out of a few cartoons on the Apple TV before bedtime. Sleep soon overtook them. Here’s a picture of this precious twosome.

Such was the end of day one at Edisto Beach and the first three days of this road trip.  We’ve had a great start, and we invite you to come back for the next installment because Edisto appears to have much to offer and the area is so beautiful.  However, it’s bedtime for BeBe and Big Daddy so, we’ll be Easin’ Along.

Tennessee has used two slogans that capture the essence of our state very effectively. A few years ago, the slogan was “Tennessee Sounds Good to Me” and promoted the music for which we are famous.  The current slogan, “Tennessee, the State of Music” is not quite as catchy, but still does a good job of telling the world who we are.

The music of our state is a great source of pride to our citizens, and we love showing it off.  Memphis, on the western end of the State, is known for the Blues, Nashville, in the middle of the State, is famous for Country Music and the town is thriving because of it. In the East Tennessee hills, our music is Bluegrass, complete with banjo and fiddle.

In Knoxville, where Helen (adorable wife) and I live, three festivals were held recently to showcase not only the music of the region but music in general.  The Big Ears Festival (link) proclaimed as the most diverse music festival in America, features everything from Jazz to “experimental” in seven separate venues.  This year’s Festival in late March drew 8,000 folks from all over the world.

Two weeks later, the Rhythm and Blooms Festival (link) kicked off to coincide with the blooming of our Dogwoods and the arrival of spring.  This festival features a lot of local artists and groups and takes place over three days and in different venues in an area of downtown called The Old City. This festival is now in its tenth year.

This past weekend, the 17th Rossini Festival celebrated music with an international flair.  This event, hosted by the Knoxville Opera Company, brought tens of thousands of people to fill our city streets to enjoy the music of over 1,000 performers. While Opera is the focus of the one-day event, festival attendees enjoy Bluegrass, Chamber music, vocal groups, choral groups, college bands and choirs, even street dancers. Helen and I left home early for our first visit to this Festival in an Uber car. We understood that parking would be a challenge and large crowd had already formed when we arrived.

In addition to the music heard in every direction, young festival-goers enjoyed games and rides in order to release some of that early morning energy.  A long line of Moms and Dads formed in front of the trampoline while holding back children eager to get in on the fun. Another line stood in front of the Merry-Go-Round.

Helen, fresh off of knee replacement, and me with an ailing hip, worked our way through the very large and tight crowd to the first music venue where we encountered a delightful surprise.  Lindsey, a gifted University student who sings in our church choir, was on the stage and filling the air with a beautiful soprano solo. We stayed to tell her how much we enjoyed it.

Back on the streets, we enjoyed the talents of the many musicians including another performing duo that I had heard before.  A beautiful bass player and her guitarist partner occupied one of the street corners, and I recognized her from a blog post I wrote several years ago.  I gave her the nickname Tallulah at the time.  Both are excellent musicians, and it was good to see that they are still in the area.

Food vendors were everywhere.  Helen and I had a difficult time selecting our choice for lunch stops which is unusual for us.  We postponed that decision—it was still early.

Another group familiar to me played chamber music on a corner about a block away from Tallulah–The Anderson Family, a mom, and her very gifted children.  I heard them play while attending the WDVX Blue Plate Special in 2016.  Their skills are exceptional and have progressed as they have grown older. (See post, at the bottom)

In the middle of the crowd, a card trick artist entertained a very large audience with his magic and drew a robust round of applause when he predicted the exact card he was looking for out of a very well-shuffled deck. Almost everyone was impressed except Oliver, an English bulldog sitting quietly to one side.

After walking to one end of the festival street to listen to an excellent horn ensemble from a local junior college, we decided we should grab lunch before the crowds became impossible.  We both selected lamb gyros and a Greek salad. We devoured them while listening to another performance from the Opera stage.

Greek food vendor

We needed to walk off our lunch, so, once again, we made our way through the streets to browse through the many booths set up by vendors and enjoy some more music. On one corner a Bluegrass band was belting out a stirring rendition of Fox On the Run as the crowd clapped to the tune. At the far end of the street, a choral group from another junior college was preparing to perform Broadway Show tunes.  We stayed to hear them and felt rewarded handsomely.  These young folks can sing.

At 2:30, the Opera Company would perform two selections from an upcoming performance of the Opera Aida, and since we knew that it would take some time to walk back through the crowd to the Opera Stage, we decided to leave in plenty of time to make it there and get good seats.  About halfway there we ran into some friends who laughed at us both walking on canes and wanted to take our picture.  I tried to fend them off, but finally, Helen relented and handed them the camera.

Back at the Opera stage, a crowd was gathering in eager anticipation of the Aida selections.  Luck was with us, and we found two seats near the stage to people-watch while waiting for the show. Knoxville Mayor, Madeline Rogero, and several other elected officials waited with us before taking the stage to welcome the crowd and introduce the Opera Company director. Suddenly, the singers took their places, and it was “show-time.”

Eager to share this music with Easin’ Along readers, I recorded a video of both songs and placed one of them at the bottom of the page. I apologize for the shake in the clip, but I didn’t have a tripod with me.  Nevertheless, the music is awesome, and I promise that the three minutes you spend watching it will be among the best three minutes in your day. I hope you immerse yourself in it. As they entertain you, we’ll continue Easin’ Along ‘cuz our hills are alive…with the sound of music.