Travels with haRVy

The day we were planning to leave the area for good, we got word that the States of Virginia and Tennessee opened the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! So, we hightailed it over there with thousands of others who’d been waiting for the gates to open.

Our first stop inside the park was at the historic grist mill where this jolly overall-clad gentleman seemed to be glad to be back at work.

I’ll let the following photos speak for themselves. All were taken within GSMNP.

After lunch we hiked the entire width of the Appalachian Trail (local humor).

The day before we got the news that we would be able to enter the park proper, we decided to take a ride on the scenic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

Right now we’re in Johnson City, Tennessee parked in the driveway of the lovely home belonging to Al’s cousin Steve and his wife Janice. We gave them very little advance notice, but they have been generous hosts with dinner on the table upon our arrival, use of their shower, laundry facilities and more. We are grateful for such hospitality. We spent two nights here to get caught up on some client work and housekeeping chores. Tomorrow we meet up with friends Bob and Tate in Chattanooga for a brief visit before heading south through Georgia. We have no idea what we will find there, but it is between us and our next planned destination in Sarasota, Florida.