Oconaluftee Indian Village

I'm alive. Yesterday was pretty packed with travel, hiking and sightseeing. I hiked outside of Bryson City near the Road to Nowhere for about 4 hours. More on that saga later. I keep laughing out loud every time I think about it. It's a good one. I did get several miles of hiking in though before breakfast.

Then I drove to Cherokee. This was a vacation stop for us every year as children. I had a little Indian doll (this was before PC) like the one pictured. I went into the Qualla gallery to see the pottery, basket weaving and wood carvings of the Cherokee tribe. Then across the street seemed to be just store after store of cheap trinkets. There were some cute little baby moccasins. I got a couple scoops of ice cream and started talking to a Cherokee man who was beating a drum and selling tomahawks and beaded chokers. He said his son lives in Brandon. I asked him if any of the shops sell flutes. He pointed me in the right direction and I found a beautiful walnut flute in C minor and a pair of turquoise earrings.

Then I headed up the road to Minco Falls. It was a steep walk with about a hundred stairs to the top where the bridge and waterfall is. I've never been here before that I recall. It was really gorgeous and so worth the steep climb.

Then I was headed to Knoxville. Goal: reach Knoxville by 7:30 pm, about the time Moriah and Eddie are finishing work.

Driving through the Great Smokey Mountain National Park was beautiful. There were overlooks, museums, creeks and large deer. I wound by Gatlinburg and stopped at the Gatlinburg scenic overlook... through Pigeon Forge and waved hi to Dolly.

I made it to Knoxville where my daughter and son in law live by 7:30. Haven't seen Moriah and Eddie since around Christmas. They are loving it here. They live within a mile of the mall, chic fila and everything you could want.

We freshened up, had a toast and headed out to Conners for dinner. They have raved about this restaurant. Very delicious steak dinner (I had fillet mignon) and the best calamari I've ever had.

I slept in the van last night. Today we're headed to downtown Knoxville.Read more