Before I get to current events, I would like to just comment on my time in Athens, GA. Went there after deciding to head north again out of Jacksonville, FL. I liked the place and would have liked to have explored some more. Had dinner in a place called Clocked...nothing real memorable, but, good and cheap. Earlier in the day I talked to a University of Georgia police officer who told me I could probably get away with parking and sleeping overnight in the parking garage downtown. I was rousted out of there by a garage security guy who told me I couldn't stay there. But, I made it to 4:00AM and parked there the night before and got 8 good hours of sleep.[Georgia became more and more difficult to find safe and risk free overnight parking. Wal-Marts are not camper friendly, for the most part, and post scary looking signs about towing at owner's expense for unauthorized vehicles. Georgia turned out to be my least favorite of places, so far.)
And, oh yes, let me rant a bit about people and their dogs in Georgia. I have never seen so many unneutered male dogs in my life. Their owners bring them to the dog parks and practice very little control over them. Ozzy was mounted and attacked by a few of these dogs. He suffered no physical injuries, but lost a bit of his confidence and developed some kind of skin problem which I'm not sure what it was, but, am sure that it was from these encounters. I have kept my eye on it and all seems to be healing well. Thought for a while we would need to visit a vet, but, all is okay. Eddie at Cafe Monte Alto has a sign that no pets are allowed in the coffee shop. I have always said, and am now even more convinced, that his sign should read, "No stupid pet owners allowed inside."
So, at 4:00AM, Athens, GA, awakened by security guard, headed to Smoky Mountain National Park which brings me to current events. I spent an incredibly wonderful week in the Elkmont Campground beside the Little River. (See my video on FaceBook.) Met some really nice thirty-something people from Bloomington, IN who encouraged me to visit, and, I will when I head toward Madison, WI. Rob is a sound engineer for concerts and a musician, and Dani is a drummer who plays in a Motown band called The Vallures. I love it. She also works at a music store in Bloomington.
Last night I went to the Sugarland Moonshine Distillery in Gatlinburg, TN. Those who know me know that I really don't drink much alcohol at all. But at Sugarland they have these booths where a server gives samples of their eight "shines" and I could not resist. Rye, Corn, Peach, Apple...Free samples of all eight kinds. So, after I partook in that process there was a band, Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustlers at the distillery. Free "shine" and free music. A great night out and way to end my time in the Smokies.
It's Thursday and raining hard today. I decided to leave the park today. Was gonna stay one more day, but, just time to go. It was a great week. Read a good book by Bill Bryson, practiced guitar and mandolin, walked with Ozzy through the woods, gazed into the campfire and river and made believe that I have no responsibilities. I am writing from Starbucks in Pigeon Forge, TN, home of Dollywood. (Doesn't open for the season until Saturday.)
Headed today, I think, to Johnson City, TN...rock me mama...
A couple of links for you: First is Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle, second is The Sugarland Distilling Company.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2pMhTqxM6Qhttp://www.sugarlandsdistilling.com/
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