Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Gobble, gobble

Circumstances in our area became somewhat out of the ordinary this week so, a day late,  all I can say is



Happy Thanksgiving



Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Heading down homestretch to 2018

I guess most every one, like it or not, is in the homestretch that leads to Christmas and the end of the year.

Is 2017 just about over? Seems like it just blasted off.

In preparation for everything that is going to happen (for us, three more out-of-town trips, and maybe a fourth before Santa arrives), I decided to get a headstart on decorating.

The action plan is underway. Just today, half of our outdoor lights were put into place. I figured I needed to get this done  so that it would be ready in time for Thanksgiving.

For many years, it has been traditional for our grandchildren to decorate the tree (with help from moms and dads) during the Thanksgiving week, so why not have all the decorations up at that time.

Our previous tree helped us celebrate more than 20 Christmases before we decided to retire it.

Still in a box in the overhead storage area above our carport, the newer tree will be hauled down on Monday. It is about 7 feet tall, and although prelit, some of the lights, after just the first year, went dark.

The hope is that the remainder will stay bright for many more years.

And for many more years, our hope is to continue our travels and enjoy the journey no matter where it takes us.

Next post: Nov. 21, 2017



Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Wear's Valley Road disappointment, delight



While up in the Smoky Mountains back in October, my wife and I on a Monday morning, decided to head over to Wear’s Valley for breakfast.

We had enjoyed a restaurant in the area and was looking forward to another good meal. Upon arriving, we found there were no cars in the parking lot.

A quick read of their sign indicated they were closed on Mondays.


Well, what to do?

We were open to options, but I knew if we headed back to Pigeon Forge there was a place I had been wanting to visit for quite a while.

So we took Highway 321 and upon arriving near the intersection with the main drag, there it was.

For years and years we had passed this particular place and I wondered about it.


Was it that good? Did it have a good atmosphere?

The answer to both was a resounding yes.

Mel’s Diner is now on our list to visit again when heading back to the mountains.

“Are your grits as good as Harbor House on the Mississippi Gulf Coast?” I asked our ebullient waitress.


She said she was familiar with the coast but didn’t recognize the name Harbor House.

“McElroy”s! I said.

There was a quick affirmative response after having recognized its more formal name. She also added the fact that she had relatives on the coast who work for a local building supply store.

Concerning the grits, she said Mel's were just as good.

Well, they were good and comparable and therefore that made my day. The eggs, bacon and pancakes were also excellent.

My wife liked the place so much that she got a gift card to give away at our family Christmas party.

There are others in our family who like to visit the mountains and enjoy good food.

Next post: Nov. 14, 2017