Knoxville – Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy and Chia

I’m Going on Vacation!

Published on August 27, 2024 by Xena, Lucy and Chia30 Comments

First, we want to bark thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday Blog Hop!

Xena: Me and Mommy and Daddy are getting ready to go on vacation to In Dee Anna for my Grandma Jean’s 84th birthday celebration! I hope there’s good food and cake. I’m going to try to be on my best behavior and not act scared at the Assisted Living home where Grandma Jean lives. (She’s Daddy’s Mommy.)

Lucy’s acting relieved and Chia’s acting bratty ’cause they get to/ have to stay home with brother Andrew and Riley. This will be two weekends in a row they got left behind. I had to stay home last weekend, too. But now I’m all groomed and ready to travel in my car kennel where I feel safe and happy.

Last weekend my folks went to Knoxville, Tennessee, to a dance on Friday night. They left early so they could go to the gluten-free bakery my Daddy loves and then to his favorite restaurant for supper. It’s called Jig and Reel. He said it’s a Scottish restaurant, and has lots of different items on the menu that you don’t see other places. But his favorite thing is their “Scotch whiskey flights.” Sounds like birds or planes, doesn’t it? Mommy smells them before he drinks each one (she doesn’t like the taste) and then they compare thoughts on them. One of them made her cringe and cough and almost struggle for breath. It was Daddy’s favorite! She really liked the smell of another one, but Daddy didn’t like it at all. I don’t think I would have liked any of them!

They slept in what’s called an Air B&B in Knoxville, then went hiking the next day before they left for home. They found what they called an oasis – an 85 acre park – in the middle of downtown Knoxville. They mostly went to see Fort Dickerson there, but then they walked one of the trails. If you click here you can read a little bit about it. Fort Dickerson is the site of a big battle in the American Civil War. I won’t spoil it by telling you who won the battle.

Mommy and Daddy at the top of the hill on their walk.

My folks started their walk where the big red arrow is on the map – the one you’ll see if you click the link – and headed up the blue line, then moved to the black line and circled around, heading back to the parking lot where the big red arrow is. They said it was a fun hike through the woods with lots of big hills and roots and big rocks and big fallen trees and the occasional, “which way do we go now?” Before that, they drove up to the Civil War Earthen Site and walked the short trail around it, stopping to read all the signs about what happened there and see the big guns that are like cannons only a bit smaller. The Fort overlooks a valley and what is now called the Tennessee River, and was the perfect place for the Union troops to stop the Confederate battalion from advancing. Oops, did I just give you a hint who won the battle?

This is Augusta Quarry. It’s right at the start of the trailhead. Isn’t it pretty?

Well, that was last weekend. Now we – me and Mommy and Daddy – have to finish getting packed and ready for this weekend. I haven’t decided yet which stuffies are going. Probably Priscilla, she’s a good traveler. We’re leaving this Friday and not coming home until next Monday! Wow, that’s like 87 day! I’ll try to stop by and visit you before we leave.

Your friendly Travelling Schnauzer Princess, Xena

Blount Mansion Nature Friday with Selfies

Published on May 27, 2022May 27, 2022 by Xena, Lucy and Chia17 Comments

We are joining Angel Arty, Jakey, Rosy and Sunny of the LLB Gang with much thanks for hosting Nature Friday.

At the beginning of the year, our Mom and Dad took a trip to Knoxville, where they danced and visited restaurants and old houses. Us and our sitter, Miss Christy, told y’all about it here.

Today, for Nature Friday, we want to show you the gardens at the Blount Mansion that they visited on that trip.

We didn’t think one of our blog posts would be complete without pictures of us, too!

XOX Riley, Lucy, Xena and Chia

Home Alone (with Miss Christy)with No Selfies

Published on February 27, 2022February 27, 2022 by Xena, Lucy and Chia15 Comments

Lucy: Miss Christy, I love you and love having you here so much I forgot to ask where Dad and Mom went?
Miss Christy: My sweet Lucy, (*whispers* You know you are my favorite girl.) I love being here, too.

Your Mom and Dad just needed a little break, so they went to stay in a cabin in the middle of Norris Dam State Park.

Chia: You said a bad word!

Miss Christy (ignoring Chia’s comment): It’s a huge park with lots of trees and trails and sits on the mountains surrounding Knoxville, Tennessee.

Chia: But what are they doing at the dam state park?

Miss Christy: *sigh* Let’s see…Friday night they got dressed up and went to a ballroom dance studio. They said the music was really good and the people were all very nice and welcoming. There is a dance there every other week, and your folks will probably be going back several times throughout the year and spend the night in Knoxville. The drive is only a little over two hours. But don’t worry, I’ll come and stay with you sweet pups.

Lucy: If that’s all they did, why aren’t they home yet?

Miss Christy: No, they rented the cabin for three nights and during the day, instead of exploring trails, they explored restaurants and historical places.

Chia: I’d a rather done the trails. I coulda’ run like the wind through those forests and maybe even caught a squirrel or a rabbit!

Miss Christy: Yes, you are very fast, Chia girl! But it was too cold for them, down in the 30’s and 40’s. So they did indoor stuff. Since your Dad is very allergic to foods with gluten, corn or soy, they tried out a restaurant called Benefit Your Life Bakery. Absolutely nothing in it had gluten, corn or soy.

Lucy: That was good for our Dad, right?

Miss Christy: So good, your Mom said he was standing at the front looking in the case and seemed to be having something like a religious experience. He was saying, “I’ll have one of those and one of those and one of those and oh my, this is so wonderful, and one of those, etc.” She was on the verge of being embarrassed.

Chia: That’s nothing new. I embarrass her on most of our walks! And it’s always ’cause I’m so excited about something, too.

Miss Christy: Yes, Chia, I understand that. Anyhow, on Saturdays they serve breakfast, so yourDdad got a biscuit and gravy and your Mom, who doesn’t always like GF baked goods, got a bacon, egg and cheese GF biscuit. They were both so impressed they vowed to eat there every time they spent the night for a dance.

Xena: Are they bringing us any?
Miss Christy: Your Dad bought several of the sweets to bring home, but I don’t think they were for you pups. Sorry XeXe.

After that they went to the University of Tennessee McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture. The stories of the first exhibit they saw told of what your Mom felt were the Native American artist’s existential experiences and understanding of life movement through each “season.” The plaques next to each painting had explanatory quotes.

Shane Pickett: Djinong Djina Boodja (Look at the Land that I Have Traveled)

They learned a lot about the generals and tactics used locally during the Civil War.

First Light, November 29, 1863, Painting by Ken Smith

The Civil War in Knoxville: The Battle of Fort Sanders

Your Mom has always loved the Egyptian exhibits, where they saw a real mummy case, hieroglyphics, and lots more.

Ancient Egypt: The Eternal Voice

Archaeology & the Native Peoples of Tennessee

Human Origins: Searching for our Fossil Ancestors

There were more, but these were some of their favorites. Your Dad said that something in this last exhibit reminded him of you, Chia.

Chia: Was I the mighty hunter?
Miss Christy: Ummm, more like one of the predators in the origin of all mammals, ummm, so yes! You were the mighty hunter.
Chia: *whole body wiggles*

Lucy: Tell us more, Miss Christy *wags*.

It was cold and raining when they left the museum, but decided to press on to their next destination. The Historic Ramsey House was built in 1797 by Knoxville’s first builder, Thomas Hope, for Francis Alexander Ramsey. The home is constructed of Tennessee pink marble and blue limestone. It was known at that time as the finest home in Tennessee. The structure is significant for its original interior and exterior architectural features and its period decorative art collection.

The Ramsey Family was one of the first families to settle the Knoxville area. They played vital roles in developing civic, educational and cultural institutions. Colonel Francis A. Ramsey was one of the founding trustees of Blount College, now the University of Tennessee. Mr. Ramsey lived there through the marriage and death of two wives, from whom he had several boy children. He then married his third wife, who had also been widowed twice. They were together less than a year when he died of malaria, leaving her pregnant with her sixth child, a girl. One of his sons, Dr. J.G.M. Ramsey authored an early history of the state, The Annals of Tennessee. Another son, William B.A. Ramsey, was the first elected mayor of Knoxville and the Secretary of State for Tennessee.

Xena: *yawn* This is boring. Can we see pictures?
Miss Christy: Here you go, baby girl.

Riley: *yawn* I’m going to take my after breakfast nap now. They’ll be back. They always come back.
Xena: I miss Mommy and Daddy. Hold me, Miss Christy.
Chia: I’m gonna go take a nap on Lucy’s back now.

Miss Christy: Let’s all go take a nap in the bed together and then we can get a snack and play when we get up. Your folks will be home tomorrow.

Chia: That sounds dam good!

Thanks to the LLB Gang for the Nature Friday Blog Hop!
and
Thanks to The Cat on My Head for hosting Sunday Selfies!