A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-05-03...."Tennessee ~ America at its Best"

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

Please join us as we take a cyber-tour of another great state in this Union of ours. As we discover and spotlight each of our 50 states we also salute the proud FReepers who call their state 'home'.

Over the coming months each "Finest" hostess will profile her own home state - I will be presenting all the other states in random order. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your state. I would love to have your input on what you would like to see highlighted.

To date I have presented Alabama, Maryland, Vermont, Utah and Nevada. Billie has taken us on a cyber-tour of her home state, Texas, and FreeTheHostages has presented Washington D.C. Today we are visiting "The Volunteer State".

Mama_Bear

...and the firefly who wouldn't stay
put in the state symbols graphic above. LOL.

We are in for a real treat today as we tour this colorful state, but first, our mandatory (but brief) history lesson...





Tennessee was admitted into the Union in 1796, but the official state flag was not adopted until April 17, 1905. This flag was designed by LeRoy Reeves of the Third Regiment of the Tennessee Infantry. The three white stars in the center symbolize the three different geographical regions of Tennessee: the Great Smoky Mountains (in eastern Tennessee), the highlands (in central Tennessee) and the lowlands (in western Tennessee, by the Mississippi River). The white circle binds them together. The blue stripe along the margin was added for distinction when the flag is hanging.

One of the focal points in the history of Tennessee, like most of the south, is the many battles and skirmishes fought during the Civil War. Sadly, over the course of this war that pitted brother against brother, much Union and Confederate blood was shed throughout Tennessee. The list of battlefields in this state is long and I won't list them all here, but this website, The Tennessee Civil War Home Page is an excellent resource for those interested in that chapter in Tennessee's history.

King of the Wild Frontier

A rather colorful figure from the pages of Tennessee history is Davy Crockett, who, as those of us old enough to remember the song know, was "born on a mountain top in Tennessee" and went on to become a larger than life legend in his own time and one of our most interesting Congressmen.

He was commander of a battalion in the Creek Indian War in 1813-1814. He was a member of the Tennessee legislature in 1821-1822 and again in 1823-1824, and of the twentieth Congress of the United States in the years 1827-1829, in the twenty-first Congress, 1829-1831 and again, in the twenty-third Congress, 1833-1835. To be a representative in the Tennessee legislature and then serve honorably as a member of Congress of the United States, was quite a feat for one with less than six months schooling. His motto was,

"Be always sure you are right, then go ahead."


If you have not read Congressman Crockett's inspiring speech before the House of Representatives, click the link below. It is long, but well worth the time it takes to read. It is a reminder that, once upon a time, our country was governed by men of principle.

Not Yours to Give

(...would that our Representatives today exercise such honor and integrity in the stewardship of our tax dollars.)

Davy Crockett is buried near his birthplace in Limestone, Tennessee; his tombstone reads:

"Davy Crockett, Pioneer, Patriot,
Soldier, Trapper, Explorer, State Legislator,
Congressman, Martyred at The Alamo. 1786 - 1836"

********************

A bit of Trivia. Did you know...

...that Tennessee has SEVEN state songs? - My Homeland Tennessee, The Tennessee Waltz, When It's Iris Time in Tennessee, My Tennessee, Rocky Top, Tennessee, and The Pride of Tennessee.

...that the "Blues" got it's start in Tennessee? - W.C. Handy, B.B. King, and others all helped the blues grow from rowdy bar music to world wide appreciation - On Beale street in Memphis

...that three of John Grisham's novels are set in Tennessee? - "The Firm", "The Rainmaker", and "The Client" all take place in Memphis.

...and finally, did you know that Elvis Presley's home, "Graceland", is the second most visited home in the country? - It ranks only behind the White House in terms of visitors per year.

********************

Nashville is the national center of country music, and the Grand Ol' Opry is definitely on our itinerary. Then it is off to Memphis to tour Graceland, but first we'll stop at Dollywood, tour Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Hermitage (home of Andrew Jackson near Nashville), and Rock City Gardens near Chattanooga. There is so much to see and do in Tennessee!

Are ya' ready for some football???

While we are here we can take in a game; either a University of Tennessee "Volunteers" football game (BTW, Tennessee beat Fresno State 24-6 in their season opener Saturday. I suppose, since it is not good form to 'boo' a team from a state I am profiling, I will just say "congratulations Vols" and, "better luck next time, Bulldogs". LOL!),



or, one of the Tennessee Titans games...



********************

Finally, with fall right around the corner,
let's take a look at Tennessee dressed
in her spectacular autumn colors.

A preview of coming attractions...







********************

Thank you to the following websites for information and graphics:
The Tennessee Civil War Home Page
Tennessee History and Trivia
Smoky Mountain Slide Show

I hope you have enjoyed our cyber-tour of Tennessee.
Have a nice FRiday and a great weekend!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-30 thru 9-01-03 Labor Day Weekend 09-02-03 FReeper Pet weinie (Lonestar) 09-03-03 To LBGA - With Love 09-04-03 John's Two Cents - JohnHuang2

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[JohnHuang2]

Hiya, Mix :-)

[bert]

The Best Leaves In The Country Are In Kingsport Tennessee 

In October, Interstate Highway 81, between exits 12 at Morristown and 63  at Kingsport is the most beautiful fifty mile stretch of interstate in America. The coloration of the trees is a magnificent and ever-changing spectacle. 

While the maples with many colors varying from brilliant gold to  bright red are the favorite of many, the hickories are the unrivaled champs of color. The Hickories turn a magnificent gold and achieve massive size. The brilliance of the golden colored hickory leaves set off against the black  trunks and branches eclipses all other trees along the way. 

People love to take drives to see the trees, but there other beautiful and colorful plants besides trees visible from a car seat. The sumac plant grows in low clumps on the roadside and along fence rows in striking red to coral color that rivals the maple trees in brilliance. The Virginia creeper vine grows up trees and forms large masses of coppery orange color mixed with the colors of the tree leaves.  Although a tree, the dogwoods are small and show distinctive red coloration in the road side under story. The evergreen eastern red cedars serve a colorful function by providing a dark green background for the splashes of reds and yellows of small deciduous trees. 

A connoisseur of fall foliage knows that  although woodland landscapes provide a visual patchwork of varying colors, the truly spectacular displays are mature individual trees standing alone in a pasture or near the edge of a farmers woodlot. Such specimens are not restrained by other nearby trees and achieve the characteristic shape for the species. When able to grow in to the shape typical for the species, an individual tree achieves the optimum number and placement of leaves and provides the best display of colorful foliage. The finest color is to be found in the lone specimens.  

The East Tennessee Valley between I 81 exits 12 and 63  is able to achieve the spectacular color because of the topography and the elevation. The road lies in a valley between mountains and low ridges.  In summer, the ridges and mountainsides often display wisps of mists and clouds characteristic of the Smokey Mountains a few miles to the south. The road runs in a Nor easterly/southwesterly direction and the sunlight is constant throughout the day. The combination of moisture and sunlight produces lots of leaves. Unlike the higher mountains where the leaves at high elevations fade before those in the valley, the elevations along I 81 are such that all the leaves turn together. The result is spectacular vistas and individual trees close at hand.  It is possible to optimize the optimum. The best views are on a sunny late afternoon along the twenty mile stretch between mile marker 32 and 52. The views of Fodderstack and  Chimneytop  mountains are setoff against the woodlots and roadside. Travel should be in a northerly direction with the late afternoon sun at your back. 

Don't believe it?....... Come see for yourself!

[Mama_Bear]

Sure do.....Utah

Glad you enjoyed our visit to Tennessee. It is a beautiful state. On one of our trips across country when I was a kid, we drove through the Smoky Mountains and down into Nashville. I remember thinking how pretty and lush and green everything was. I'd love to go back again.

[Pippin]

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY!

YEEEEEEEEEEE! HAAAAAAAAAAA!

Lori! You did it again! My favorite state and favorite place to go to is my dad's home state of Tennessee. In fact he was born in Limestone. near were Davey Crockett was born and raised. One of the places my dad lived with his parents and siblings was the Davy Crockett birthplace, but that was the 1930's, before it was made into a national monument and park.

east Tennessee is a most beautiful place to be and a special place for me. I still have relatives who live there. including a cousin who lives in Knoxville.

Thanks, Lori, for featuring this lovely state of Tennessee.

[Pippin]

I believe it! :O)

I've seen it!

[Mama_Bear]

The Best Leaves In The Country Are In Kingsport Tennessee

Thank you so much for this! Tennessee is on my top ten list of the most beautiful states.

Here are a few more pictures of autumn in Tenessee....

Cherokee National Forest

Middle Tennessee's Highland Rim

[sticker]

Maybe if we could just get Mississippi or Arkansas to take the Fords, that would be a start. We need to keep Steve Cohen for comedic relief.

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, Pippin!

I really did enjoy putting this state post together. But then, I enjoy every state once I start doing some research into the history and the geography. Each state has it's own "color" and appeal, and Tennessee is one of the most beautiful. It has been many, many years since I was there, I would love to visit again.

One of the nice things about presenting the states is hearing from those, like you, who have special memories of times spent there.

Pippin hugs for (((((((((you))))))))))

[sticker]

All I could see Wednesday was water

[Mama_Bear]

Mornin' Aeronaut. I see you are taking a different plane out for a spin today.

Have a great day.

[Calpernia]

Good morning to the FINEST!

Today is the first day with all 3 of my little ones back at school. :(

I have a whopping 1.5 hours to myself before I go and pick everyone up.

[Aquamarine]

What a beautiful presentation of Tennessee Mama Bear...and that bassett hound hostess graphic is so funny!

I love the state of Tennessee and have visited most of the places you mentioned.
This picture was taken on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail above Gatlinburg last spring after the rains.

[Calpernia]

Lori, that was a great idea you did with linking the Tennessee post to: http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/profiles?location=90

Have I missed that with other posts or is that new?

Tennessee is absolutely beautiful. My favorite was the caverns:

[Mama_Bear]

I have a whopping 1.5 hours to myself before I go and pick everyone up.

LOL! Gosh, I hope you make good use of that hour and half. I can tell you how I would use it if I had three small kids at home......taking a nap!

G'morning, Calpernia.

[Calpernia]

Hi ILMH!!!! Welcome to the Finest Thread!

[Calpernia]

Did the change in Aircraft have anything to do with Mayor the other night??

BTW, Mayor, how did that desk work out?

[Mama_Bear]

Morning, Aqua. That is a beautiful photograph! Did you take it?

Yes, I love that Bassett Hound graphic that Billie made. It's one of my favorites.

Good morning, Billie.

[Calpernia]

Autumn is the most beautiful of seasons!

[bert]

You're right about that........ this was the sukmer of the monsoon.

The countryside is now lush, the biomass is as large as it can be. The leaves this October should be stunning.

[Calpernia]

Now just because I haven't been myself for the past week due to technical issues....Don't think I've forgotten you!