Chattanooga, TN-Cumming, GA 11/1 120 driving miles; 5.6 walking miles

We enjoyed the extra hour we gained this morning. A guy could get used to sleeping in. Before our stretch of freeway driving, we had a wake up cup of ambition at the truly downtown Starbucks in Chattanooga. I'm pretty sure that steam I saw rising came from Ed's coffee, but one never knows. After coffee, we started to stroll toward Chattanooga's river walk. It was then that the best human of the day came forward. Don, who had been sitting across the way from us at Starbuck's, and who I noticed was deeply involved in a romantic moment with his sweetie, was aware enough to see that Ed had forgotten his hat (Again). He came charging after us like a Virginia cavalier to save the day. Quite remarkable considering the obvious fact that Ed's hat was undoubtedly not foremost on his mind. Thus rescued, we carried on, and though gray, the morning was as warm as the heart of the kind girl we met yesterday. Before leaving town, we did a drive by of UTC's campus. I can see the appeal and its grand presence clearly adds to Chattanooga's charm. Thankfully, the rain held off for the drive to Kirk and Shannon's who live in Cumming North of Atlanta. Even on Sunday, more than several of the 5,000,000 million people who live in the area found their way to the freeway. We were greeted warmly by the Franz clan, which included as a bonus, Karen, mother of Kirk, mimi to Kirk's girls, and sister to my Judy. We enjoyed their gracious hospitality for the remainder of the day, and though our step total may be minimal, we're making up for it by snacking continuously. For those of you who don't know, whenever Judy and I gather with the Franz bunch, we eat well and usually while we eat, we're planning what we'll eat next. It's tradition. We'll camp here tonight in the basement, which quite frankly is better accommodations than we're used to. Right now, we're all doing various things. Ed and I are phone boys. There's a Rumicube game going on at the table, and there's a football game on the telly. Kirk leaves this evening for a conference; we're awaiting the homecoming of Shannon and Kali who have been in Savannah for a soccer game. Soon, we'll enjoy supper, so as you can easily see, life is good, especially today.

Good samaritan, Don, "best" human of the day.

Art shot of the day: Chattanooga's pedestrian bridge.

Selfie of the day.

Part of the river walk.

Hailey Franz.

Maddie Franz.

The girls took us on a safari where they tried to catch wild perch.

Cooper Franz.

Aunt Jana helping Maddie with her himework.

Rumicube game.

Kirk and Maddie: Game Time!

Thin Gruel, Franz style.