Fall in the Smoky Mountains

In October we went back to one of my favorite places in the world - the Smoky Mountains. We always stay near the park, and enjoy visiting our favorite haunts - Cade's Cover, Roaring Forks Motor Trail, and an annual trek down main street of Gatlinburg. This year, we rented from Highland Condos, which is nestled in the mountains just above Gatlinburg. Our little deck area looked over the mountains and down on the city of Gatlinburg.

We had a sweet little lawn area to our right as we looked over the mountains. It was such fun for us to be witness to two weddings that took place there. The first wedding happened on Friday afternoon. It was so simple and sweet - the bride work black dress pants and a sheer striped blouse with a camisole underneath and a short veil. She carried a simple posy bouquet. Her two children were allowed to be children, by which I mean they were doing some chatting and wandering during the ceremony. I loved how the pastor spoke to them about how they were to obey and honor their parents, not just now, but all of their lives, and had them speak the promise. He explained to them that their parents were still children as well and that God still expected them to honor their parents too. I heard him say to the bride and groom that if they ever had any problems, no matter what the time of day or night, that they should call him and he would help. The second wedding was on Saturday, and the bride and groom wore the traditional wedding gown and tuxedo.

On Saturday as well, we planned to take a hike to the jump-off (a trail off the Appalachian Trail). We headed out for what we thought would be a leisurely day. However, partway up the mountain, smoke began puffing out of the front of the car as though it were a dragon gasping for air. This was not good. We finally pulled off by one of the many areas that they make for visitors to the mountains. Ron was not happy and took a walk down the mountain. I sat in the car and prayed. All kinds of things were going through my head - like, how do we get a tow truck to get us down the mountain! God sent a traveler though, a nice little man, somewhat portly, who was wearing black dress pants and a long sleeve black/white checked shirt. His wife was in their vehicle wearing a navy polyester pant suit. In his little ole southern twang he asked if we needed assistance - I called my husband back out of the mountain, while saying to this gentleman, please don't get yourself dirty, it looks like you are going somewhere special! But no, he said, we're just out foolin around. When he left he added this pithy remark - I never travel without a gallon of water and vise grips. So, with the help of this traveler, we added water to the reservoir, and headed back down the mountain. We were lucky to make it! As we were waiting for help at the service station, Ron started adding water - it was coming out as fast as it was coming in! As a result we had to be towed to Sevierville. This could have been a rotten day, but some of the events made it pleasurable for me. The first event, obviously was my portly gentleman. The second thing was the language of the tow truck driver - no, it wasn't bad language, but it was old fashioned language. My husband and I had been talking about sighting animals in the Cade's Cove area and he remarked that the best time was "in the light of the evening". Isn't that pretty. I just loved that. My husband said to me, "no-one talks like that anymore", and then, in a rare moment of understanding, he looked at me and said "that's why you like it, isn't it!" Yes indeed!

The next fun thing was at our service station in Sevierville. I was talking to the manager, Josh, and a delivery man came in with just a small package to deliver. I stopped talking and just looked at him--I watched him put down the package, and turn around to leave. I turned around to watch him leave. I turned back to Josh and whispered in astonishment "he looks just like Elvis!" Josh just started giggling while telling me that he is an Elvis impersonator on the side! Really! This is true! I started giggling as well and so regret that I did not react fast enough to take his picture with my phone and post it on facebook! Unfortunately Elvis is a little shorter, a little fatter and a little older! The service station people were so helpful, and called all around trying to find us a car to rent with no luck. We finally ended up walking to the Enterprise rental place, 2 miles down the road, and were fortunately able to rent a truck. Ron loved his truck, and it was fun to tour the mountains with it.
Our budget vacation didn't end up too budget what with a $120 towing charge, $470 vehicle repair and $150 truck rental, but we were not hurt, the colors were beautiful, and we were not at work, so, all in all I feel like God took care of us very well!

The White House and Capitol Buildings

Do you know that verse in the Bible where it says that God has prepared good deeds for us to perform ahead of time? I felt like I was the recipient of those good deeds on Wednesday when the car died on me. Ron was in the condo napping with his phone turned off, and I was stranded in the parking lot of Big Giant. I walked over to Auto Advantage and they lugged their battery tester over to Big Giant and tested the battery – which was good, but low on charge. Then they lugged over a battery to charge it up but that didn’t do anything. The gentleman that was helping thought it was the starter – so now what!!? I asked if he knew of a place that did good work but was reasonable and he immediately dialed Woody at Don’s Sunoco. They towed the car over (dropping me off at the condo on the way) and told me it would be done by the morning for sure, pretty iffy for getting done that afternoon. I called Rep. Hoekstra’s office where they graciously changed our tour to Thursday. Probably no more than an hour later Don’s called and they had the car done! They drove over to the condo to drop off the car and we drove Woody back to Don’s. Everything worked out so nicely. We had decided to just be lazy so I read “The Help” (very good), Ron napped, and then we went to dinner at Brio’s in Tyson’s corner (one of the 11 largest malls in US). Very good food and service, and I totally enjoyed my Crème Brulee Trio and Ron enjoyed one of the biggest pieces of chocolate cake ever!

Thursday morning we headed out to Old Ebbitt Grill in downtown DC. Ebbitt’s has been there 100+ years, and we thoroughly enjoyed our breakfasts (Egg Strata and Frittata) and yes, then we fell for dessert at breakfast (pecan pie a la mode and Chocolate Brownie Cappucino which was HUGE). Ebbitt’s is a beautiful old building and I thank my sister and Daniela from Pete Hoekstra’s office for recommending it.

After breakfast we headed out to the White House. First we stopped at the Visitor’s Center, which was okay, but I think we both felt we could have skipped it. Then we joined the other tourists to view the South view (Rose Garden and where Air Force One lands). Of course, we are barred out. I bet when Washington lived there you could have walked right up and knocked on the door. It doesn’t seem right to me that the House we help pay for doesn’t allow you in. We walked around and viewed the front as well. There were a few protester’s, but mostly just us tourists. From the White House we metro’d to the Rayborn Building to pick up our Capitol tour tickets from Pete Hoekstra’s Office. While I was removing my belt (I was tired of removing this by the end of the day, but it kept setting off the alarm), I noticed a sign for DIBELS pointing to the left. Somehow I had not expected to run into that while in DC – no protesters that I could see though.

The capitol tour was interesting. Our guide was very knowledgeable and took us through the history of the paintings and statues. Our government sure likes to spend a lot of money on these buildings and statues. We’re talking big bucks with marble floors, bronze statues, chandeliers, etc. Given this economy and the trouble our country is in I have to wonder about the wisdom of it. The Library of Congress was in the millions of dollars and they built that during the depression. It seems like the dollars we spend on these buildings could be better invested in people. I love seeing them, and seeing the history of the country, but I wonder if these monuments are just to make us feel important and show our success to other people/countries. Maybe we need to be more humble and frugal, and use these dollars to build up people instead of monuments.

After touring the capitol we sat in the House Gallery for a while. They were voting while we were there. It was driving Ron crazy because it just looked so chaotic and disorganized down there. Everyone was chatting people up in between the votes, and when the chairman would say what they were voting for and how long they would vote people just kept talking. Ron thought it was disrespectful, and he was disappointed we didn’t get to see a debate. After the house we went over to the Senate side. Hmmm. . . no-one was there. Eventually a few of the Senator’s walked in. This was actually fun for me because there were some young people (high school, college freshman?) there. When the Senator’s walked in they got so excited. Look! Is that Joe Biden?! (It wasn’t) We did get to see Joe Lieberman, John McCain, John Kerry, Debbie Stabenaw, Carl Levin and others. The kids were a riot. Ron hated to leave because it seemed like things were going to start happening, but we were meeting our niece for dinner so we had to go.

We enjoyed delicious pizza at Matchbox Pizza (Capitol Hill location) – Chicken Pesto and Sausage with sun dried tomatoes, and molten cake for dessert. We do love our desserts! Then off to view the monuments at night which was very nice.

We’re on our way home right now (I’m typing this in the car). We’ve decided you have to spend like a month in DC to see everything. I didn’t even get into any art museums and I had hoped to see some original Whistler’s art. Didn’t get to view the Smithsonian Castle, Spy Museum. I guess we’ll have to come back some day!

Library of Congress and Arlington

Today we toured the Library of Congress and visited Arlington National Cemetary. The Library of Congress is an absolutely beautiful building. The government spent millions of dollars on it. I'm not sure what I think of that. All these memorials and buildings, built with millions of dollars . . . seems like perhaps it would have been more beneficial to us as a nation to have those dollars invested in people. Libraries are important though - I myself couldn't live without one. There is a quote from Jefferson saying "I could not live without books", and I must say I can relate to that. It is ironic that we started the tour with a very nice video that stressed over and over again that this was OUR library, and then we couldn't even go in the reading room, which was a deep disappointment to me. Evidently over the years, those that were using the room for research were disturbed by the presence of the tours. However, times are achanging, and now most people get their research from the Library via the internet. There were only 2 people in there while we were touring so I think they need to change the rule! You can go in if you get a pass, which takes about 15 minutes, but you have to be prepared to say what you will research. Once inside you get assigned to a table and then your research is brought to you. I just wanted to sit in there for maybe 5 minutes and absorb the ambiance. I mean, you couldn't even take pictures and had to view the room through a glass enclosure!

Arlington Cemetary and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Arlington Cemetery is so vast. You know going in that it is big, but it's hard to comprehend the size of it once you're there. It is a beautiful and peaceful place. The birds that hang out there have a beautiful song. So many lives sacrificed. One thing I didn't know was that wives can be buried with their husbands at Arlington. I don't know if I would want my son or daughter buried there. I know they would be in heaven, but I think I would want to be able to visit the gravesite. We had beautiful weather for our visit, sunny and high 60s or low 70s. We also visited the Robert E. Lee memorial which is on the hill above the cemetery. He is the only person who fought against the United States for whom a memorial has been given. The house (memorial) actually belonged to Curtis Washington and was captured during the war by Lee and his soldiers.

We shared the viewing of the changing of the guard with veterans from World War II. They all wore caps saying John Hancock Memorial Flight. Their hats had pins on them with a picture of Elizabeth Dole's brother. One of the volunteers traveling with them told us that Elizabeth sponsored the trip. Their presence made the changing of the guard more meaningful for us.

The Monuments of Washington DC

Well, we began our day by figuring out the Metro system with the help of the very nice station attendants. I tell you what, I really felt like a country bumpkin. When you live in a small town, even the metro is an adventure. We now have our smart pass, and one day under our belt, so perhaps we'll become more cosmopolitan - who knows! The weather was sunny and clear for our first day in the city. The wind, however, was quite cold. Fortunately it became more tolerable after noon.

Upon exiting the metro the first thing we saw was the Washington Monument. It really is an elegant piece of architecture. This is a great time to be here because we didn't have a crowd of people. We walked right up to get tickets for the ride without waiting in line, although we did have to come back at 1:30 for the ride to the top. It was nice to just meander around the monument without being jostled or feeling like you keeping other people from getting their chance to enjoy the view.


We then went to the World War II memorial. It is also so striking. When you think of the men and women who gave their lives it gives you pause. War is a terrible thing, but having gone from the memorials of our founding fathers to the Holocaust Memorial in the afternoon . . . let's just say it is difficult to comprehend such evil, and we can be thankful for the men and women who fought against it.



The Lincoln Memorial was next. What a time in our history that was. Family members fighting against each other. Each side thinking they were in the right. Having such passion about a circumstance or a cause to turn you against the people you love--how can I understand that? I always wonder if Lincoln was a lonely man, I think I would be if I was him. I would be agonizing about my decisions, and wondering who I could really trust and count on to be my friend. Yet he stayed to the course that he considered right and true. He was a true man of integrity.


Korean War Memorial next. I was struck here especially by how quiet and respectful people were in this area. I really felt like people were treating it like a sacred place. The way the statues are positioned, half in the shadows, half in the sun, made me feel the tentativeness the soliders might have felt as they walked through the war zone.


Vietnam Wall. What a long wall, and ever so many names. I was brought to tears by a woman and man taking a rubbing of the name of someone they loved from the wall. This is all they have left - a name on a wall. I don't think I can understand the depth of their sorrow and regret.


Holocaust Museum. This is out of the depth of my understanding. How did this little man, who I think looked just like a crazy man while he talked, rise to such power? How did people, who I'm sure must have been people just like you and me, become messengers of evil? It should scare us half to death, because that same capacity for evil is in you and me. The same self-preservation that made them turn their eyes away is in us. Don't we just need good people in the world? People of integrity and who want to shine the light on the darkness. We need to do what is right from the smallest things to the biggest things. I was amazed at the end, first of all at the survival of the human body - skeletons were walking clothed with the most minimum amount of human skin. Second, one of the films showed all these really healthy looking children walking out of a camp, and I couldn't understand it. These were the twins that were used for experimentation. Healthy bodies, but who knows how their spirits were crushed. But then third, that there were rescuers! Brave men and women who did what they could to save the jews, some dying for their efforts. But it just lifted my spirits to see these good people, and I hope that I would have been one of them.

We arrived at our condo in Falls Church,VA today. This is the 3rd time we have have used Vacation Rental by Owner. We've been pretty pleased with the results. We're paying $100 a night, plus a cleaning fee, and have all the amenities, including a washer and dryer in our unit. We can catch a bus to the metro just around the corner, or drive to the metro station within 5 minutes - we are very close to DC. I'm looking forward to getting into the city tomorrow and viewing the monuments. This will be even more fun since I just finished "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown, and will hopefully be able to separate fact from fiction! I am not a huge Dan Brown fan, but really liked this book. His theology leaves a little to be desired, but I cannot write anymore without spoiling your reading pleasure!

Leelanau and Andrew Peterson

So, what do Leelanau and Andrew Peterson have in common? Nothing really, I just happened to hear some of his songs while we were driving home, which led to me looking them up on itunes and downloading an entire album, something I don't usually do!

First, Leelanau - we had a great weekend. I read Jodi Picoult's book Handle with Care (see previous post), relaxed in the sun, ate at Boone's, Freshwater Lodge, and had ice cream with the cows. Have you been to Moomer's? Good Morning America voted it as having the "best" ice cream, I just for some strange reason like going and eating my ice cream while watching the cows. Boone's, of course, is always good, and they have some affiliates in Grand Rapids and Muskegon. If you have eaten at any of these places, let me know how they were: The Omelette Shoppe, Bagel Beanery, Sundance Grill, Bear Lake Tavern, and Alleyway Bar and Grill. Ron and I are always up for a good meal! Freshwater Lodge is in Traverse City, there are lots of dead fish and other animals hanging up if you like that sort of thing :-).

Now, for Andrew Peterson. I heard his "All Things New" on the way home, and immediately looked it up in itunes. I listened to the little clip you get with each song and decided I needed them all. If you don't know Andrew Peterson, he's kind of folksy, guitary, mellow singer. I love so many of the words in the songs - in All Things New:

"Come broken and weary, come battered and bruised, my Jesus makes all things new.

In All You'll Ever Need:

"The blood of Jesus, it is like the widow’s oil: it’s enough to pay the price to set you free. It can fill up every jar and every heart that ever beat. When it’s all you have it’s all you’ll ever need."

From Love is a Good Thing

"Love is a good thing. It’ll follow you down to the ruin of your great divide, and open the wounds that you tried to hide. And there in the rubble of the heart that died you’ll find a good thing. Love is a good thing."

My favorite from the Album is The Good Confession: I Believe

"All I know is that I was blind but now I see that though I kick and scream, Love is leading me. And every step of the way his grace is making me; with every breath I breathe, he is saving me. And I believe. So when my body’s weak and the day is long, when I feel my faith is all but gone, I’ll remember when I sing this song that I believe. I believe he is the Christ, Son of the living God, my Lord, my Savior."

(Tonia, when I hear this song I just feel joy and think of your daughter dancing!)

I also discovered I liked his Lay Me Down from the Far Country Album:

I’ll open up my eyes on the skies I’ve never known
In the place where I belong
And I’ll realize His love is just another word for Home

I believe in the holy shores of uncreated light
I believe there is power in the blood
And all of the death that ever was,
If you set it next to life
I believe it would barely fill a cup
‘Cause I believe there’s power in the blood

When you lay me down to die
So long, boys, so long, girls
Lay me down and let me say goodbye to this world
You can lay me anywhere
But just remember this
When you lay me down to die
You lay me down to live

The words are even better with the music. The only song I ever knew from him before was some goofy song about cartoons. I think he may become a new favorite.

Being Lazy

I'm being very lazy this break. I took vacation days so I could have a full 2 weeks off. Of course, the first week was exhausting, getting ready for Christmas, but now I'm in the 2nd week, and feeling very slothful. According to Webster, a definition for slothful would be indolent, meaning averse to activity, effort or movement. Yup, that's me. Get up, eat, watch mindless TV, take naps. Of course I am getting some things done in between - like making meals, and doing the wash (who wants to be lazy in smelly clothes!), and yesterday I finally picked up a book which I needed to finish (Edgar Sawtelle). A very good book by the way. But overall, I think indolent pretty much describes my state! By the way, for those of you with kids who may be feeling envious of my slothfulness - your day will come! By now, I should be getting bored with all this inactivity, but that hasn't happened yet. Oh well, I am now off to read Twilight, which many of my friends (who by the way are grown women), rave about. I will let you know my thoughts tomorrow (maybe even tonight)!.

Walk with me . . .

Enjoy my photo/poetry montage of Fall in Georgia!