Ok so I initiate automation lane window with the little icon in track view....When I use the pull down parameter menu I can choose volume, automated mute, pan, etc...Here's my problem: If I first chose "Automated Mute" as my first automation lane, it doesnt allow me to then switch the same lane to a "Volume" one...its almost as if when I pick "Automated Mute" it locks this first lane to this particular parameter. It's creating problems when I then add a second "Volume" automation lane below it...making it a pain to edit envelopes with the smart tool.... If I hide the "Automated Mute" lane, somehow it mysteriously turns off/on when editing the volume envelopes in the second "Volume" Lane. Is there a way to completely eliminate (not hide) the "Automated Mute" lane? Does this make sense to anybody? For context, I'm running into issues automating track volumes....they keep mysteriously muting the actual audio despite not messing with the AM lane. I never want to use the on/off Automated Mute lane, can I disable it permanently? 

Doesn't sound exactly normal to me.

Have you tried to NOT  use automation lanes? Collapse them all and your envelopes should all appear in the parent track lane. Access to each envelope can then be achieved either by shift-clicking on it or selecting it via the edit filter.

Also, with your Mute envelope, make sure you right click the Mute button on the track header and select "Use Automated Mute"