Hello to my consistent six readers! I'm back (you're welcome). I am writing this post because A. I wanted to keep you updated on my adventures, and B. Because I have a lot of cool pictures to add. So from Tennessee to the world, let's jump into it.
The car was loaded, and the food was being prepared. My dad and I said our goodbyes, as we jumped into the car on the Saturday before Memorial day, ready for our two day drive to Oak Ridge, Tennessee. You see, I was fortunate enough to get an internship with Oak Ridge National Labs for the entire duration of the summer. While I didn't know anybody in Oak Ridge, and I didn't know anything about what I would be working on, I was excited none the less.
After driving on our first day, my dad and I stopped in Memphis, Tennessee. While some towns are a pretty bland city that seems like it could be any old city, Memphis has flair. As we pulled in and parked our car, we were instantly greeted with the smell of barbecue and the sound of jazz. Looking just over the railing of the parking garage, you could see a crowd of people sitting at a restaurant, enjoying their Saturday evening. We ate dinner at the famous Rondevus, walked through the Peabody hotel, and walked up and down Beale street (and boy was that something). All throughout the town, you could smell food, hear laughter, and see... trash. Flair is not always tidy.
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| Dad in the Peabody Hotel |
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| Beale Street |
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| Stage in Memphis |
Upon arriving in Oak Ridge, we drove up to my rental house for the summer. It is a beautifully restored house that was built when Oak Ridge was first founded (around WW II). Dad and I unloaded the few possessions I carried in my car, and jumped right back in to go hiking. We went to Haw Ridge Park for a brief hike, and would return for more time the next day. Haw Ridge is a 30 mile bulb-peninsula sticking out into the river. Eventually, my dad left and I prepared for my first day of work.
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| Oak Ridge's River |
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| Same spot, but turned right |
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| Haw Ridge on the River |
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| My Living Room |
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| My Kitchen |
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| My bookshelf and desk (sorry no bed its too messy for a pic) |
Fun fact: Oak Ridge is one of North America's most desirable locations for rowing competition.
On my first day working at Oak Ridge National Labs (ORNL), I left early to be there with plenty of time to get lost if needed. I didn't get lost, and after passing through the guard gate and arriving on the main campus, I was amazed at the beauty of the lab. It looked like a college campus, and one of the good ones on top of that. A large quad, beautiful grass and buildings surrounded me. I met my mentors, and even a few other interns. However, most of this first week was training, so we'll skip over that.
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| Green bug friend |
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| Haw Ridge Park |
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| Cool picnic spot |
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| My semi-attempt at the picnic spot using pastels |
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| I drew some water |
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| I left my clock out in the sun |
On my second week, I truly began my work on my project. I drove far down the road from main campus into a stout stone building, where I began my work with the drones department. Walking into the lab was like being the kid in a candy store if the candy was worth thousands of dollars a piece. My coworkers are all nice (and beyond intelligent), and I have learned so much in the small amount of time I've been there.
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| 9 of about 50 geese surrounding me |
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| Oak Ridge in the fog |
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| Calhoun's |
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| A delicious dinner I made (don't ask about the whole pizza I ate the next night) |
This past weekend has been filled with adventures too. On Saturday, I drove south two hours to the Smokey Mountains. I drove down the scenic path in Cades Cove, and stopped to hike to Abrams' Fall. This was a beautiful 5 mile round trip hike down the mountain-side to find an incredibly voluminous waterfall. When I arrived, there was only one other person there. By the time I left, the area was packed with people, young and old.
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| Scenic drive in Smokey Mountains |
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| I think this is a google stock photo |
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| Beginning of the Abrams' hike |
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| This hike is apparently the 9th deadliest in America |
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| Abrams' Falls |
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| The crowd when I left |
This brings us to today. I went to church, ate lunch with three of my new friends Lois, Charlene, and Merriam, and now I'm writing this. My experience these past two weeks has been amazing. I've seen beautiful sights, met interesting people, and have learned a ton. This isn't to say it's been all good. I've been lonely, and frustrated. I've felt fear. However, sometimes you've just got to keep pushing for the good so the scale will tip back in your favor.
Thanks for the love. Keep your cookies close. Never forget to wash behind the ears.
-Tad Kile
