May 9, 2007

Cheerio ,from high in the mountains of the Great Smoky Mountains, so named by the Cherokee people who settled and managed to stay here inspite of the gov’t pushing them out on what is now called the Trail of Tears. The mts. here often have a blue mist rising up from the gorges and valleys. As many of my readers know from following along with Bearfoot on previous trips, I have been in WiFi blackout from time to time. I seem to be in that place now so am writing this in Word and will transfer it. I arrived here yesterday, the 8th, about noon. I only drove 62 miles yesterday but had made 295 miles the day before. That was the day I came through Atlanta, GA. If you glance at a map of GA, you will note that there is a huge web or vortex of roads which translate to traffic there. There are not many easy ways around it. It is like all roads lead to Atlanta unless you go to Alabama. I had wonderful advice from friends who have made the trip. I left Forsyth, GA at 9 a.m. and went through the Big A at 10 a.m. on Monday. You have to watch the lane changes, the Exit onlys, the merging traffic and of course, the big rigs all around you. I could feel all the prayers that were coming from friends and loved ones who knew where I was. It took just about an hour to go through which is actually good time. I kept the cruise control pegged at 55 mph which is the speed limit through much of it. I continued on as though I wanted to get as far away as possible ending up with 285 miles on the odometer. I was exhausted and sore everywhere. I do admit to singing that haunting song, “Jesus take the Wheel” for some of that trip. My dad was a trucker. He often rides in the passenger seat with me, stub of an unlit cigar stuck in the corner of his mouth.

In Forsyth, I stayed at a tiny campground out in the hills owned by Cherokee people. They make hand carved and painted walking sticks and canes very reasonably priced. I bought two; one for me and one for my friend Marte who lives in the Great Smokys now. We haven’t seen one another in over two years. What a reunion we had yesterday! We plan to hike today in the mts. Yesterday, my lower back went into spasm for awhile making hiking impossible. We hung out, looked at photos and just generally caught up on all that we have experienced in the time we have been apart. She has driven 35,000 miles during that time and moved 7 times. I am going to post a photo of Bearfoot V camped Crystal River, FL and another camped in Forsyth, GA. I also hope to download a shot of the master camper sleeping in. It has been in the mid-forties here in the a.m. About 59 in the MH. Since we have spent five months in hot weather, some of us get a bit chilly even though we have fur.

Live, dance, love and shout for the Joy of it!