Page 103 - USA ROAD TRIP SUMMER of 2000

The Blue Ridge Parkway ends at mile 469 as it dead-ends into

Newfound Gap Road. We turned right and headed for Gatlinburg
30 miles to the west. We drove through the town, made a U-turn,

drove back through (stopping long enough to grab a sandwich)

and then rapidly escaped its turmoil and commercialism for the
shelter of the Park.

We stopped at the large Information Center for hiking pamphlets.

The parking lot was packed so I pulled to the end of the parking
lot and stopped to let Lois out of the car. We took an additional 15

seconds to point out where I would pick her up on her return.
Those 15 seconds was just too long for the car behind me who

blew his horn angrily. I pulled up and as he passed, he gave me a

withering look. My pulse rose, I’m sure my blood pressure rose,
and I was trying to remember which finger was the appropriate

response when I realized that this was the first time in weeks that
I had been engaged in an altercation with a total stranger brought

on by a perceived pressure of time. Not only was the man angry
that his rush into the Park for quality relaxation time was being

thoughtlessly delayed but I had instantly risen to the challenge

with a visceral response. As I said above, “It feels like home”. Pity.

The afternoon was more pleasantly pursued. After securing a
room at the Wear’s Motel in Townsend (we have been staying at

this old place off and on for decades), we went out to Cades Cove.
There we took an easy hike out to Abram’s Falls – 5 miles round

trip with only gentle ups and downs on a good path lined with
Azaleas. We took our time and at the falls took shoes off and

cooled them in the stream. Little minnows nibbled on Lois’ toes.

They didn’t seem to care for mine.

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