I got up a bit before everyone else and showered, then prepared to finish loading the car. No RV this time. It is on the road again with The Tennessee Traveller. It was exactly one year ago we purchased her (unexpectedly) in Knoxville. I realized too late that I should have put on the roof box.
We were on the road by 6:00 am. We stopped in Corsicana for donuts and met Michael and Valerie in Athens. We caravaned just about all day, with all three cars within 30 minutes of each other.
We stopped at Ceres, Mississippi for gas and had lunch at the Loves (exit 15).
When we came upon construction around Jackson we let Google Maps direct us around. It saved around 15 minutes. Stephanie took over driving about 3 hours from Hoover, Alabama.
We crossed into Alabama around 3 pm. Overall, the traffic wasn't too bad and we made very good time on Day 1.
After settling in at Hoover we went to the Ragtime Cafe. It was good food with huge portions with many Cajun recipes. Michael's club sandwich was enough to feed a club, we joked.
We settled in early with the plan to head out to breakfast at 8 am, and then on to Knoxville and our cabin for the week in Gatlinburg.
Day 2 (Sunday)
It was rise and shine early. Coffee from the lobby and then we loaded the car. We checked out by 8 am and drove to Cracker Barrell for breakfast. Michael and Valerie went back to pack out while the rest of us started on. Traffic was light until Knoxville. We stopped at the Sam's Club near Walker Springs and bought a few things for the week, but the line to check out was to the high stacks and the line for gas just as bad.
Gas at exit 407 was $2.49, which was actually cheaper then several places we have seen on the way. A stop at CVS and Aldi, then it was up the mountain to our cabin: Lasting Impression.
Once moved in we had pizza and settled in for a quiet evening. It took an hour to put away groceries.
We settled in and were to bed by 8:30.
We had a light breakfast and set out to do some shopping and stopped by the park visitor center to ask about trails. We decided to find time to hike to Charlie's Bunion off Newfound Gap. We got back to the cabin around 1:30.
While we were eating lunch Mom called and asked us to come get the dogs. They had had a wreck between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. We set out down the mountain as quickly as we could but got caught up in the stopped traffic caused by it. By the time we got there Dad had been taken by ambulance and the Pilot was on the truck. Mom had got into a car with a nice couple from Kentucky. We loaded her and the dogs up and went back up the mountain with the intention of returning to the hospital to check on Dad. By the time we reached the cabin, however, Mom was complaining of her wrist in pain, so we had her checked out. They admitted her as well.
Stephanie and I stayed with them (me with Dad and her with Mom). It turned out that her ribs were broken and sternum fractured. She also had a broken wrist and compression fracture in her back. Dad had a bad cut on the head and a possible bruise to the lung. They transported both to UT Medical Center in Knoxville. Steph and I were home around 8:30. Just before bed Mom called that they were discharging her in the night but no word about Dad. She said that she did not want me to come down the mountain until morning.
Day 4 (Tuesday)
Stephanie, Michael and I went to the wrecked car and got out what we could. It was a mess.
They went back to the cabin while I went to Knoxville. The UT Med Center was really large and confusing. Mom came down right as I arrived, and while technically a visitor now, still was dressed as a patient. Due to Covid, only one at a time could be in the room, so I visited awhile and took up their clothes, then let Mom go back up. I wandered around for a while until Mom sent the news they would discharge him in a few hours so we had lunch, and I waited outside. The tulip tree on the grounds was about to bloom.
I then went to the car and waited for the call. I picked him up outside the Flag Circle entrance then we followed Google back. It took me down the backroads which was an adventure in itself. It took us about an hour to get back.
After everyone was settled in Stephanie made her cabbage soup. It was a good meal all around.
Mom and dad were moving slowly, and we had to figure out how to get them home. Brandon and I kicked around some thoughts. Stanley also had volunteered to come and drive them home. One thing for sure is that Mom and Dad could not drive themselves home even if a rental car could be found. They settled into their room but I am not sure they slept much. I didn't because I worried they would need me in the night.
Day 5 (Wednesday)
Valerie made sausage, eggs and biscuits and gravy for breakfast. We spent some time on the porch in the morning and no one really went out until Stephanie, Sadie and I went to the Apple Barn to buy coffee. It is a favorite of ours so we bought several bags. We also brought home apple fritters to share. Burgers on the Blackstone and piñata cake. Sadie, Stephanie and I went in the hot tube for awhile.
Stanley and Belinda left home today to take Mom and Dad back home. They stopped for the night outside of Nashville.
Day 6 (Thursday)
Mom and Dad are moving a bit better and I think everyone slept a bit better. Stephanie and I had planned on hiking Tuesday but that did not happen. So we picked a trail today. We decided to hike to Charlie's Bunion on the Appalachian Trail.
It was supposed to be an 8 mile RT hike but in reality it was much longer. We hit the trail at 9 and wasn't back til 3 pm. There was ice and snow on part of the trail.
We stopped at Sugarland Visitor Center and bought hiking badges then came home. Stanley and Belinda had arrived and Michael and Valerie went to the Christmas Place. Baked pork chops for supper. There was a lot of good visiting after supper. Mom and Dad, and Stanley and Belinda will head back to Texas tomorrow.
Day 7 (Friday)
After an early breakfast they left out. The house was really quiet afterward.
At about 10 am we went to Gatlinburg and did some shopping. We bought a sign carved from pvc to put out at our camper. Then to the Celtic Heritage shop where we bought some coffee cups. Then to the various distilleries. We spent way too much!
Then to the Old Mill Restaurant. I love their corn fritters and fried pork chops!
Sadie and Michael have been playing pool so they started another game while Stephanie and Valerie took a nap. I picked on the guitar for awhile.
It was a warm and overcast day over the mountains. I do love it here!
Day 8 and 9 (Saturday and Sunday)
Since it is a long trip and we decided to stop over we took our time. We stayed the night in Vicksburg, and continued on the next day
The trip became more stressful than any of us would like, but we will be back to Gatlinburg again.
