Dorothy's diary 4th - 10th June

Cades Cove in the Smokie Mountains

Thursday 4^th June to Wednesday 10^th June

It was drizzling as we began the journey from Memphis to Maryville. It was quite uneventful until we reached the outskirts of Maryville and the heavens opened. I was driving and we needed to call at a supermarket. Fortunately we were following a white pickup truck that seemed to be going exactly the same way so I was able to follow it.

I had to sit in the car for a few minutes until the rain eased a little.

Back in the car with Alan driving. We made our way out of town towards Ron and Pat’s.

There are no edges to the road and it is very easy to verge off as one car travelling in the opposite direction had done.

We arrived at the house and Pat was at the door to meet us. We found out later that Ron had been following a car with a California plate and guessed that it was us. He had telephoned Pat to say that he thought it was us. He was right.

Friday 5th was just a chill out day. Pat and I went down to the church to meet up with Judy, the church administrator, then did some grocery shopping.

Saturday 6^th we had a shopping expedition and a visit to downtown Knoxville.

Sunday 7^th. Church to meet up with old friends and meet the new pastor Amy. It was a very good service and three young people were received into membership of the church. They then helped to dispense the elements in the communion service. Pat had a meeting back at the church at 1.00p.m. so we didn’t linger but went back home for lunch and for us a quiet rest.

In the evening we went to Terry and Judy’s for a barbeque.

Monday 8^th. Another day chilling out. Ron came home early to cut the grass and at 5.30p.m. we set off to go Bear hunting in Cades Cove. There were other people who had the same idea so it was quite frustrating when vehicles pulled up in front and we couldn’t get round them. We did manage to see 4 bears. I took photos but they are not very clear.

Tuesday 9^th.

Alan and I went shopping. Alan needed a decent pair of trousers as Bishop Swanson and his wife Delphine were coming to dinner.

We had a lovely evening and a very good meal. Good food, stimulating conversation and very good friends.

Wednesday 10^th

We had a reasonably early start. Ron and Pat were taking us to Greene County, where they came from. It was a lovely nostalgic journey and we were able to see the very rural area that they grew up in. We had lunch at the General Morgan Inn in Greeneville.

On the way back we called at the store where Pat’s sister, Sandy, works. It was closed when we arrived but Sandy was still there so we were able to have a quick conversation with her. It was raining at the time, so it was car to car.

Back to Maryville for a relaxing evening and an early night.