Saying Goodbye to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Hello Smokey Mountains

We got off to a slow start this morning, as we wanted to enjoy the Grove Park Inn. As we departed, there were a couple of people who recognized us from the WLOS story the night before. People have been so kind and supportive. We made our way back on to the Parkway, and once again started climbing. This time we went through tunnels as well as climbed mountains. The pictures will speak for themselves.

We entered the Smokey Mountain National Park, and the smell of black balsam filled the air. Finally it was time to get off the Parkway, as we made our way toward Cashiers. As we descended from the Parkway, we got caught in a rain squall. We pulled over so I could get some dry clothes on, and a woman pulled up beside us asking if we were the people she saw on the news. She told us her eleven year old daughter had watched the story, and wondered if we would come through her area. She was so excited, and said her daughter would be too. We made arrangements to meet her in the next town after she got her daughter, Chesney.

A short time later we met up with Chesney and her Mom in the small town of Rosman, NC. Chesney has done a walk for cancer, and donated her hair to locks with love, three different times. She is a lovely young lady, and we were so happy to have had the opportunity to meet her. If we had not pulled over because of the rain, we would probably not have run into Chesney's Mom!! More serendipity.

We also heard from Dennis, our friend we made in Roanoke, who manages the True Value hardware store there. We are so delighted that he has been following our progress. We are also so grateful and happy that we have touched people's lives, and they ours. I can't express enough how strongly I feel about the difference we can make in each other's lives. You don't have to get on a motor scooter and ride to reach out. Just smile, say hello, open a door for someone. We all want the same thing; to feel loved and to feel connected. When we reach out to others, we feel better about ourselves, and the better we feel about ourselves, the more we have to give to others. It is a circle that spirals us up and up, and we can take everyone else along with us.

I hope this ride can serve to be the ultimate metaphor. Hop on, let's go!!! xxxoooo

talk to you from Clarkesville, GA........before we start our final descent into Lawrenceville!!