Wednesday I got in my car and headed east towards Hot Springs, NC.
I made a pit stop in Knoxville to visit my parents on the way to see a friend who is hiking the Appalachian Trail. The plans were up in the air, and solely based on the pace of the hikers...who were running a day behind. Thus thus the pit stop for the night.
That pit stop was really nice. I ended up getting a lecture on my work patterns from my dad, and since there wasn't anything in the house for me to eat, I treated myself to Petro's for dinner. Silver linings everywhere. Thursday morning, I was treated to Waffle House by Dad, and had great conversations about his grandparents, long lost relatives and the genesis of anti-Semitism that apparently began with the Romans.
After breakfast, I met Mom back at the house, where she gave me some dresses. We then went to the bank so that I could sign the safety deposit box cards...in case something happens to my folks. Morbid, but necessary as the steps towards aging preparations begin.
The drive to Hot Springs from Knoxville was an easy one. I made a quick stop at Earth Fare to pick up some snacks (and nearly $40 worth of seeds for my garden) and hit the road.
Once I was off the highway and headed into Newport, TN, I was struck by not only the extreme poverty, but by the lush vegetation. Everything was green. The food pantries and thrift stores gave way to farmsteads and then just trees as neared the NC/TN border. The dogwoods I saw everywhere in Knoxville were dotted amongst the emerging maples and oaks.
And then, I spied Hot Springs. What a weird and wonderful little town. Everyone was kind. Everyone knew the hikers were coming. Everyone was there to encourage them on their journeys.
It was picturesque and I am so glad I got to experience it.
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