Guess where we went this weekend?and guess who won Saturday against the LSU Tigers?
Yep, made this man mighty happy.
This other guy, my brother, is an avid Auburn fan. Along with loud voices, clapping, and yelling, things got nasty when the interception was miscalled. I left the room and took a nap.
My sister in law is an Alabama fan, which made someone happy. I took a snapshot after the game while my brother walked outside for fresh air. Then we went downtown looking for food.
A nice man took this snapshot of us happy with the win (well three of us were), and hungry for Italian ~ which, by the way, is found in the back of Elks Plaza. It's a small place, a bit noisy, but the food is good and there's a lot of it!
Sunday was spent wandering around some of the outlet malls, doing more walking than buying, more laughing than talking, and wondering where the next meal would be. Glenda's birthday was Sunday, so she got to choose. Steak! Salad! Bacon wrapped shrimp! (I just love food.)
Monday we drove to Cades Cove, hoping to see some wildlife, but Hurricane Ida was on her way, bringing overcast skies, cooler temps, and I guess the animals were settling in for the storm. The only animals we saw were turkeys. No deer, no bears, not even a raccoon.
The old homestead has always fascinated me. Not that I wish I'd lived back then. I don't. My grandfather used to tell me "those weren't the good old days, THESE are the good old days". And he's right, I love my hot showers, soft beds, and electricity!
As we left the homestead parking lot, Nelson had the nifty idea of taking a "trail less traveled". We weren't in my cute little car, so I just sat quietly and wondered how much longer dinner would be and where would we be eating. Little did I know those were silly thoughts."At one time Parsons Branch Road was one of the major thoroughfares in Cades Cove which resident of Cades Cove would take to get to North Carolina. Parsons Branch road was closed for 4 years due to washouts and flooding but has just reopened and is better than ever. If you take this road you will end up on the Tail of the Dragon (Hwy 129) and there is no way to get back to Cades Cove." ~ Cades Cove online info
The two lane gravel road gave way to a dirt one way road, which gave way to pot holes, spillways, and shrubs that brushed the sides of the car. The guys thought it hilarious to wonder aloud if those were banjos playing, and what would we do if a scruffy mountain man stepped out in the road with a rifle. I suggested we see what it sounded like for flesh to meet metal!
This 'pig trail' ran for eight miles and took almost an hour and half to navigate. The picture below was taken from inside the car. Someone did us all a favor by pouring cement slabs to create spillways that helped greatly in crossing the creek! (Glenda & I quit counting how many times we crossed that creek!) The photo below was taken from inside the car.
Finally, finally our one way dirt road brought us to Hwy 129, where we found ourselves on the Tail of the Dragon which apparently is a name for miles of twisting, turning curves, hills, and drop offs. Seated in the back of Nelson's small Corolla I began to feel a bit squeamish
and was tickled to get out and stretch a bit once we got on the Foothills Parkway. Those eight backwoods miles put us way on the other side of Townsend, almost two hours from Gatlinburg and the dinner I had planned at Bennett's BarBQue! By the time I saw city lights, all I wanted was a hot shower and some reheated spaghetti, which I got, not in that order.
The two lane gravel road gave way to a dirt one way road, which gave way to pot holes, spillways, and shrubs that brushed the sides of the car. The guys thought it hilarious to wonder aloud if those were banjos playing, and what would we do if a scruffy mountain man stepped out in the road with a rifle. I suggested we see what it sounded like for flesh to meet metal!This 'pig trail' ran for eight miles and took almost an hour and half to navigate. The picture below was taken from inside the car. Someone did us all a favor by pouring cement slabs to create spillways that helped greatly in crossing the creek! (Glenda & I quit counting how many times we crossed that creek!) The photo below was taken from inside the car.Finally, finally our one way dirt road brought us to Hwy 129, where we found ourselves on the Tail of the Dragon which apparently is a name for miles of twisting, turning curves, hills, and drop offs. Seated in the back of Nelson's small Corolla I began to feel a bit squeamishand was tickled to get out and stretch a bit once we got on the Foothills Parkway. Those eight backwoods miles put us way on the other side of Townsend, almost two hours from Gatlinburg and the dinner I had planned at Bennett's BarBQue! By the time I saw city lights, all I wanted was a hot shower and some reheated spaghetti, which I got, not in that order. Ida had moved in by the time we left this morning and the drizzle and fog were making the mountains smoke. We have plans to go back soon and I look forward to seeing the Winterfest lights that are just now being put into place. Maybe next time there'll be snow!
What a cutie pie!
Ian is serious most of the time, Elle just hangs out looking for a nap and some mommy food, and Noah? Noah is the one that keeps us on our toes with his wit, his expressions, and his moods. The child cracks me up! Two boys and a lady ~ it was such fun having you in my home. You can come and bring your mom anytime. 
The congregation of Capitol Heights began meeting in 1929, with the first services being held under a tent on May 19
September 1, 1936, Clyde 
I would NOT have glossed over these doors, but loved the shape! There are several of these inside. There are a pair on either side of the pulpit.
Here's the room I was telling you about! Look at that window! And the doors are solid wood! Walking upstairs there was the neat creaking and groaning of the wood. I fell in love.
It used to be an open room but a divider wall has been erected to house teacher materials. It's still a charming room, especially as the afternoon light began filtering through the panes.
I intend to take John back. The brethren were friendly and so happy to have visitors. It would be grand to see it return to a growing membership, the laughter of babies, and the promise of newlyweds. It's always a bit sad when downtown areas are left behind for the 'new and better'. If you get a chance, visit this sweet congregation. They'll be so glad to see you and you'll leave feeling a bit better than when you arrived. I promise.
I had the privilege of eating with some dear friends today and meeting two new friends! Miss Lou and Miss Bea had plans in place to eat with Raymond and Virginia after worship. When I made plans to attend worship service this morning with Raymond and Virginia I was asked if I'd like to tag along. Hello?! Food?! Does a bull have horns? That's a big YES! Especially when you're going to Applebee's and I've never ever had a dish there I didn't like. Besides, I was told these two ladies were a hoot. And they were! I had such fun. We all did.
It's been 42 years since sweet Linus (the kid with the wild haircut and blanket) began waiting patiently for the Great Pumpkin, who every Halloween night rises out of the pumpkin patch and acts like a round orange Santa Claus. Naturally, the other kids don't buy into Linus' Great Pumpkin, except for Charlie Brown's sister Sally, and even she is mostly driven by her love of Linus than any real belief in the Great Pumpkin. They end up missing trick-or-treating and a Halloween party and the Great Pumpkin never shows. Poor Charlie Brown gets nothing but rocks while trick-or-treating, Snoopy becomes the World War I Flying Ace and sits atop his doghouse "fighting" the Red Baron. It's classic Charlie Brown. 
