Tennessee

Two weekends ago my parents flew into D.C. The next day they fixed my broken car window and then we drove to Tennessee. (It is a good thing that they fixed the window since I was pulled over by a police officer on our drive down there and not to mention when I was pulled over again just a few days after for having no brake lights....my parents fixed that too.)

Tennessee is beautiful in the fall. The leaves were beginning to change and the humidity was low. The whole reason for our trip to Tennessee was to do some family history. We had a lot of relatives in the Knoxville area. Our first morning there, we took a drive through the back country of Tennessee. We ended up at a beautiful dam were we hiked up a trail to our family cemetery. It was a small and simple cemetery but it was great to be there. That was until we discovered that they might not be "our family" at all. That is right...the tombstone of my great-great-great grandfather said that he died six years before my ancestor was born. Oh, my...what a scandal. I wish I knew more.

After leaving the cemetery (feeling lost because we don't know who, genetically-speaking, we are anymore), we drove to an old church that our ancestor built. It is right across from the home where two of our ancestors were murdered. This was a perfect trip for Halloween with all the mystery and mayhem.

my parents walking to the cemetery

The beautiful scenery near the cemetery

Part of the cemeteryWe found this gem in the back country near the old church. Look close to the scarecrow. He is a stuffed man with a wolf head. We laughed so hard when we saw this that we had to take a picture. The kids living in the home behind it came out to see why we had stopped at their home. The home had garbage strewn all over, multiple trailers, and a billy-goat on top of a hay bale. I kid you not.

*

Then we drove to Gatlinburg, Tennessee in the Great Smokey Mountains. It was a beautiful drive...until you reach the most amazing strip of entertainment in Pigeon Forge: there was at least 15 places to go-cart, an upside down mansion, and all kinds of rides. At the end of the strip was mecca: Dollyworld. Gatlinburg was much more quiet yet still a bit touristy. We went on a ski lift ride to see the city. Then we made our way over to Hillbilly Golf. In order to get to the course, they put you in a lift that takes you to the top of the large hillside. The mini golf traps included kegs of beer, tractors, wagons, and outhouses. And, of course, I won.

The view of Gatlinburg

The next day was my parents 33rd anniversary. We started out the day by driving to the Great Smoky Mountains and going to an area called Cades Cove. This is where some of the first settlers in the area lived. There are still some remaining structures that you can visit. This was a popular attraction. Every where you went you were behind a steady stream of cars. My father could not believe it.

That night we celebrated my parents anniversary on a Tennessee riverboat dinner cruise. We had some good food and a nice time on the river. At one point, we were recreating the front of the boat scene from The Titanic ("I feel like I am flying.") and then all of a sudden the song from Titanic came on the overhead. We laughed so hard.

It was a wonderful trip and I was so happy to see my parents. It was exciting to get out and experience a new place with them. My dad says that next time we'll have to go to Boston. Dad - book your tickets!!!