Franklin Township

Today I drove into the Smokey mountains of North Carolina. I've never been to the Smokey Mountains in springtime before. As a child we came here every summer to visit my grandparents, and autumn sometimes as well. Spring is gorgeous. The dogwoods are blooming. BJ and Stephanie, the couple whose property I'm staying on tonight, said that it snowed here last week. The grass is brilliant green and the trees, while not all are in their full leaf, are shining brightly. The narrow winding roads that weave up and down and around the mountains are a bit intimidating at first in a large vehicle. Gotta really put the pedal to the metal to get up the hills. But by the last 10 miles, I felt like a race car driver, whipping around those mountain ledges. The van and I became one.

Tonight it's getting down to 33 degrees. I have a little space heater in here and am electric blanket. My hosts are gracious enough to let me stay here connected to their water and electric for free. And I can dump tomorrow morning before I head out. Tomorrow I'll be once more off the grid completely like last night.

I'm really enjoying this time away. I find myself smiling while I'm driving. I have RBF, so to someone else it might just look like a pleasant resting face, but I am smiling and my heart is smiling. Music of the day was Fresh Country station. I knew none of the words to the songs, but it was enjoyable and allowed me to drift off in thought. I'm pretty sure I heard "Jesus is a chicken" in one of the songs, but I looked it up and I can't find that anywhere... so not sure. But yeh country music is interesting, so are billboards these days.

My thoughts are many and random as I'm driving. Coming back here makes me think about my childhood. I had so much hope and belief that anything was possible for me as a young girl. I fear I've lost that hope gradually over the years as things such as heartbreak, loss, death, health issues, and the stress of intense work load have slowly smothered the internal fire inside me. Where is she? Maybe I can find that girl again.

So today I drove from Fort Valley, Georgia to Franklin, North Carolina. Found fuel for $3.13 a gallon! I discovered that the silly little desk thing that I never use as a desk is a great stand for me to do my piriformis muscle stretches... that's a whole other story. I went to Dry Falls in Nantahala National Forest, amazing place. Then I came into this perfect little mountain haven that this lovely couple has allowed me to stay in, and I made Spaghetti for dinner. Needed something warm and savory that would stick to my ribs on this chilly night. Brrrr.

Tomorrow: Hot Springs Resort & Spa
Miles today: 249
Fuel: $119.70Read more