Free at Last

We have been to the Mountaintop today – Mt Le Conte 6593ft in the  Appalachian Mountains which is in the Great Smoky Mountains National park, but on the Tennessee side. Its Thanksgiving here so we decided to go for a scenic drive through the mountains. Its actually a depressing drive as the speed limit is either 35 or 25 mph and although there are a lot of bends it is rather tempting to floor it and go a bit faster – but as there were Rangers around I resisted the temptation.

We had to go via Cherokee and amazingly the coffee shop was open, so I stocked my flask up with a latte for the drive. Although it is only 35 miles across the mountains, it takes about 90 minutes to do it, for two reasons, the speed limit and secondly Linda wanting me to stop for her to take photo’s.

It was a pleasant scenic drive and we ended up in Gatlinburg on the other side. The town was very busy with a lot of cars and people, it was $10 to park – so we didn’t stop. It didn’t have Starbucks either and Linda didn’t like it as it was very tacky.

We drove onto Pigeon Forge, which wasn’t much better, but you didn’t have to pay to park. Its linked to Dolly Parton and Dollywood is here – although we didn’t visit it. We had a look around town, a country music store was open so we paid a visit, it was ok, but you can download them on ITunes these days and its cheaper than buying the CD’s. Linda needed a cup of tea so we stopped to get her one. No-one really drinks hot tea around here, so its difficult to find a cafe which sells tea – but we managed to get her a take away.

We then drove back again over the mountains, not stopping for so many photos on the way back. It was snowing as we went over the top roads, although not very heavily. It had suddenly turned cold. We we went to Bryson City on the way back, apart from the grocery stores it was all closed. We stopped at Deep Creek and walked up to see the waterfall and take some pictures and then it was back to the chalet.

We stayed in for the evening, as Linda needed to do her farm – she was getting withdrawl symptoms! We had pasta for tea and used up our left over veggies with it.

I have discovered what Linda has in common with HM Queen – they both never carry any money with them. Every time Linda wants to buy something she never has any money – and I have to pay. I saw a good sign in the Indian village –’vegetarian is an old Indian word for bad hunter’.

We were up early today as we had to leave the chalet and pack the car up. We were thinking of going on the train ride from Bryson city – the good old Great Smoky Railroad and then decided that we wouldn’t – it was quite expensive and we could drive the same route. Having gone north yesterday- it was ‘go west’ today – and we had a scenic drive to Fontana Village – there were very few cars on the road. It was a slow drive as the photographer wanted to stop for pictures of the views.

You can see the pictures here. After seeing the Fontana dam we drove around the roads looking for somewhere to stop for a drink – to no avail. We did see a McDonalds but couldn’t lower our standards. We were driving along Highway 19 when we saw the train, and watched it for a while. In fact I was watching the train too much and didn’t realise I was on the wrong side of the road – until a car was coming towards me – so I got back on the right side.

We then stopped at Nantahala Outdoor Centre – where the train stops, but we were there first and got in the restaurant before the crowds. We were slightly hungry and so shared a sandwich between us. Linda had a cup of tea so she was very happy.

We then drove back towards Cherokee as our hotel was on the east side of the mountains. The Tribal Ground Coffee shop was open – so I filled up the flask with a latte – it was rude not too! I haven’t had a Starbucks since Tuesday morning – so my arms are shaking a bit – but I know there will be some on the route back to Atlanta tomorrow- ‘I had a dream and it contained a Starbucks!!’

After we wandered around the Indian Reservation – avoiding any arrows being shot at us – we drove east along Soco Road  to Maggie Valley – it could be named after Mrs Thatcher – who knows. Its in the middle of nowhere but has lovely views of the mountains. We are staying at a Best Western as it does free breakfast – and more importantly for Linda free internet so she can go on her farm. She has harvested her roses today – and now planted some raspberries which will be ready in 2 hours. She is meant to be packing, but its all out on the bed and she is watching James Bond.

The room has two queen beds – so one each – a night without someone nicking all the covers.  We had a drive around town, as no-one walks here – and Linda saw a craft shop – and that was the last I saw of her for about 30 minutes, she only re-appeared when she wanted some money to pay for the bits she had selected.

We went to a local cafe in the evening for dinner, I had catfish and Linda a cheese sandwich, it was very nice. As we had internet access I was able to book in online for tomorrows flight.

So the holiday is very nearly over – we have had a good time, seen some wonderful sights - ‘its awesome’ – ‘Have a nice day!’

How Long? Not Long!

We have arrived in the Smokey Mountains and staying at a wooden  chalet by the river. It is very peaceful apart from the river running in the background. Linda has even managed to drag herself away from Farmville to feed the ducks by the back door.

On Monday Linda did her favourite activity (apart from Farmville) and went shopping. I managed to find her a Walmart and she was in there for over 2 hours looking at the products. It all looked very similar to Asda for me – apart from the prices were in dollars and not pounds. However, she found a couple of pairs of jeans she liked and a few other things. After this we went to Borders and had a look around reading the books and deciding which to buy, in the end I didn’t buy any but Linda did.

The car is very good – although it keeps drifting towards Starbucks and the ‘drive in’, it must run on coffee as opposed to petrol. Its comfortable to drive and has plenty of room, the only problem is that most of the roads are 55-60 mph which is quite slow. Although there is not a lot of traffic on them. On Monday night there was no managers snacks so we had to go to the Landmark Diner for dinner again. I had the T-bone steak, which was very nice, and Linda had a cheese ravioli dish – which was very cheesy. Then it was back to the hotel as someone needed to check the farm.

We were up early on Tuesday morning as we had a long journey – How Long? About 4 hours! We were going to leave about 9am, but it was about 9.30 before we left and out onto the highway. We travelled about 70 miles and then stopped at Commerce and the outlet stores. It was meant to be a quick stop, but Linda wanted to go in all the stores and see the bargains – so we were here for nearly 3 hours and Linda needed to have a cup of tea so we had to stop for that as well. We did managed to find some nice winter coats – so it was productive. It was then back on the road again, via Starbucks, as I need to fill up my flask with a latte.

We were driving up the scenic route. Driving is easy as its an automatic, you just put it in cruse control and sit back, relax and try not to fall asleep. The roads are virtually straight so you don’t even have to steer much and there is no traffic to overtake. I have found all the country music channels and programmed them into the radio – so we can listen to them as we drive along, as you can imagine Linda is really thrilled about this.

We went through the Chattahoochee National forest, although you couldn’t see the wood for the trees! and then into the Nantahala National Forest – more trees and finally towards the Smokey (or smoky) Mountains and our destination Bryson City, which is on the Nantahala river – or one of its tributaries. We wandered around the town, although apart from the train, there is not that much there! We went to the bakery to get some bread – but it only does cakes.

We then went to find our accommodation, which is nearby. It is a chalet by the river and has some scenic views up the hills and you can see the 11am train go past. We settled in, Linda is happy as it has wireless internet and so she can go and check her crops. Although it is intermittent and some times you have to go out and stand on the porch or the car park to get a signal – but she must do her crops and animals.

I was just sitting on the porch in my rocking chair and reading my book listening to the river and nature. Evidently, this is bear country – but we haven’t seen any yet for me to introduce to Linda. We had found the local grocery store and bought a few items for dinner and breakfast, Linda had seen a pecan pie for desert. We had chicken and sweet potato and it was quite nice and filling – what a great chef I am!

I was corresponding with someone in Australia who was getting up for breakfast and we hadn’t even had dinner. On Wednesday we just rested around the chalet, enjoying the peace and quiet, Linda did make some friends with the local ducks, and I said invite them in, the oven is on – but she didn’t. Of course she had to go on Farmville before we went out – just to check her crops.

In the Afternoon we went into town and wandered around, we saw the train come back and Linda took a few pictures – in fact you can see  them here  and you can see where we are staying at River Birch Cabins

After this we went for a drive into Indian Territory to the town of Cherokee, where there are real live Injuns. It has mostly gift shops which sell the same thing, but as it is the end of the season then its all reduced. It had a reasonable coffee shop so I was able to fill up my flask for the drive back. It is very remote up here – not a Starbucks in sight!

In the evening we ate the rest of the chicken and then did some reading and after Linda had exhausted Farmville I was allowed to get on here to update the blog. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day so everything is going to be shut as they are all eating their turkeys – although one called ‘Courage’  won’t be on the table as it was pardoned by President Obama – obviously doesn’t have enough work to do if he can find time to worry about turkeys!

The weather is dry and mild and the sun was out today.

I’ve been to the Mountaintop

We didn’t actually go to the Mountaintop  but we did go to the Martin Luther King district. However, we did find out that  President Carter and us have something in common.


On Saturday we took the train to the King Memorial station and then it was a 10 minute walk to the King Centre (http://www.thekingcenter.org/ and http://www.nps.gov/malu/index.htm). The old Ebenezer Baptist Church is sill there, but we couldn’t go in as it is still being renovated. There was a tour of his birth house which was free so we got our tickets. It was a 15 minute tour, although the house was quite large, especially for the 1930’s and had three bedrooms upstairs and several rooms downstairs.


It was just past noon on January 15, 1929, a son was born to the Reverend and Mrs. Martin Luther King, Sr., in an upstairs bedroom of 501 Auburn Avenue, in Atlanta, Georgia.


We visited the King Centre and saw the displays, but it was quite limited in the information it provided. Both MLK and Mrs K are buried in the grounds of the centre and you could see the tombs and take some photo’s – so we did. I did quite well – I only bought one book there on his writings.


We walked back into the centre of Atlanta which was about two miles and there was not much traffic or people around. Downtown is deserted at the weekend – and not a Starbucks in sight! We went to Underground Atlanta, which is a place that has shops and restaurants but its underground. Linda must still be suffering with her cough as she didn’t buy anything or even go in many shops.


We then got the train back to the Lennox Centre – and wandered around the shops. We found another centre – and there was a Starbucks – so we stopped for a coffee. Linda was getting bored with all these shops and wanted to go back to the hotel “so I can check my farm” she said.
The complimentary transport picked us up and dropped us back at the hotel. The driver was quite talkative although he was complaining about foreign policy and that the Government shouldn’t be spending money abroad but at home. Typical American – the world stops at the US borders.


It was a bit of a disaster today – no managers special, so we had to go out for dinner and spend money. We went to Landmark Diner and ordered garlic bread – although it should have said ‘garlic loaf’ as it was not just one slice! They gave you a Greek salad for free – and this was enormous. In fact we were virtually full up before the main course had arrived. I had blackened grouper fish and Linda had chicken with cheese – it was very nice but the portions were too big and we couldn’t eat it all.


We then came back to the hotel and I did some reading, whilst Linda focused on making sure her crops and animals were ok in Farmville.


On Sunday we had breakfast and then sat and listened to the church service on the TV. It is raining so without a car it is difficult to go out anyway. The good news is we are picking up a car at 2pm. Breakfast is mainly bagels with cream cheese or jam, there is a chef who cooks omelette for you and plenty of juice and tea. Linda likes to have the fresh waffles with maple syrup and plenty of tea – the only problem is I then have to find lots of restrooms  for her as what goes in normally comes out!


The Baptist  preacher on the TV was quite interesting preaching on Grace and Pauls book to Titus and had three points to his sermon. About midday we decided to go out, it was still raining but we got the chauffer to drop us off at the Lennox centre as we can get the train from there to the airport We wandered around in the dry and then got the train. It takes about 45 minutes to get to the airport but that was fine – plenty of time to watch Top Gear on my Ipod.


We picked the car up – its a Chevrolet  Equinox automatic in white. It took a few minutes to remember which side of the road to drive and then we were off.


President Carter, 39th President of US is from Georgia. His family were Peanut Farmers and he has a Presidential Library (http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.org/  in town and it was on the way back to the hotel – so we stopped. It cost $8 to get in, but it was actually worth it.  The exhibition took you through his life from a young lad to his time in the Navy, to being President and then life after. He was President from 1977-198 and was replaced by Ronald Regan. He was involved in the Egyptian-Israeli talks at Camp David in 1978 and subsequently won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.


There was a copy of the Oval Office that you could look at, although you weren’t allowed to sit in the official chair. The Carters have  spent one week a year for the last 25 years working for Habitat for Humanity, which builds houses in third world countries, the same organisation we worked for in Thailand after the Tsunami. 


The car I have is very nice to drive, plenty of room and seems to head towards Starbucks on a regular basis. On arriving back at the hotel – Linda hogged the computer doing her farm. We went out for dinner and the portions were a bit smaller tonight, Linda had chicken with jacket potato and I had a T-bone. It as going so well – and then Linda saw the cheesecake – and of course had to have a bit!


It was back to hotel for Linda to harvest her crops she had planted earlier on Farmville!!



You can see our photos at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/simon.werrett/Atlanta09

I had a Dream

Well we are now in Atlanta, Georgia – the place where Martin Luther KIng Jr was born and subsequently lived and preached.


The motorway was clear driving to Heathrow and we were able to check in with plenty of time to spare. Linda needed to re-register her IRIS account so she can get into the country quicker instead of queuing at Immigration. We found Starbucks and it was time for a coffee whilst Linda wandered around a few shops. The plan was leaving at 14.05 and so we boarded about 13.30. 


We were flying premium economy and as I had booked in online 24 hours earlier we had the front seats (the front seats of our cabin – not the front seats of the plane – the pilot needed those.)


It was a very smooth flight and we arrived about 6pm Atlanta time (they are 5 hours behind English time). Linda had watched some Harry Potter rubbish on the plane – and I feel asleep. Atlanta airport is very strange – we landed at Concourse E – passed through the very cheerful (not) immigration sections, waited 30 minutes for our bags and then you have to go through customs and give your bags back again. You then go through a search area, back into the main airport and take the train to the exit where you again wait another 30 minutes for your bags to arrive.


As we were arriving in the evening in Atlanta we had booked a Best Western Hotel near the airport. Another courtesy bus was going that way – so he gave us a lift. Linda said ‘Will the hotel have internet’. I said ‘yes’ She said ‘that’s good – I will be able to use Facebook to check my farm’. 


She has become addicted to Farmville on Facebook and keeps going on about her animals and harvesting her crops. My laptop finally gave up the day before we left and so I had to bring Linda's – so she keeps wanting to use it – which has delayed the writing of the blog.


The hotel was ok – no-one was smiling or saying “have a good day”. The only place to eat was Macdonalds so we ended up with a chicken burger and fries for our meal. We were both tired but tried to keep a wake for a while and go to sleep American time – which we managed but I still woke up at English time.


We were moving to the Wingate by Wyndham Hotel at Buckhead in the north of the city until Tuesday morning and we took the metro to go there. It was then about a mile walk from the Metro Station but at least there was a Starbucks on route – so we had to stop for an Egg nog latte.


Our rooms weren’t ready as we were early but they have complimentary transportation so had a ride in a Lincoln Limo to the Mall. Linda wanted to go shopping and visit Maceys! We spent a couple of hours there but Linda didn’t buy anything. We discovered that if you walked around the Food Court trying to decide what to eat – they gave you small portions to try for free – so I walked around twice trying anything – and then was full up so I didn’t need to buy anything – who said there isn’t such a thing as a free lunch!


Linda was  constant visitor to the Hershey’s chocolate stall where they were giving away free chocolates.


After a couple of hours we came back to the Hotel, Linda was tired so she had a sleep – must be her age and I did some work on the computer, unpacked and planned the next few days.
At 5pm the Manager has a ‘welcome time’ – with more food and snacks, all free. There were sandwiches, cheese, chicken wings, vegetables and a few other bits – so we don’t need to eat out this evening either.


We did go for a walk as we needed some cold drinks and water for the fridge. There are not many shops near here, but we found one so we are ok.