An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Adventure….Ol’ Broad Style
Friday afternoon, I arrived at my destination. Alive! I say alive because there was a serious question whether or not I would make it one piece. Leaving Cleveland, TN Friday morning, and getting back on the highway was fairly simple. Turn left, get gas, get going. Then we hit the two lane mountain road. Now, if you’ve ever driven through mountains of any type, you know there is always some SFB who has to ride up your tailpipe. Why? No one knows. Perhaps they believe they are invincible, and flying through curvy little roads at incredible speeds is what they need to do to prove to the world, or themselves, that THEY can do anything! Pfft! I saw way too many roadside ‘shrines’ of people who probably thought the same thing.
Making it through the first round of winding roads was a major accomplishment. Back on a 4 lane highway, with a whopping speed limit of 55 put me back in happy land, thinking “Hey….that wasn’t so bad!” Naturally, I turned off before I should have, pulled into a parking lot in Franklin, NC, checked the map and directions, and realized that sign that said “second right” didn’t mean THIS second right….it meant the ‘second right’ four exits down. 
Seriously? So, since I was already stopped, I noticed a store I could wander around in for a while, just to get of the truck for a bit. It helped. After snooping, and talking to a sales lady for a bit, making a small purchase, so I wouldn’t feel guilty, I got back in the vehicle, and finally made to the correct exit, going in the direction I wanted to go.
That’s when I lost my mind. Or what little I had left. No one said I was going to get sea sick driving 9 miles. 9 miles that took 2 hours. Talk about your curving, winding road! Holy cow! Apparently, I’m not the only one who had this issue! Heh. Now, this was a road that SAID the speed limit was 35. HUMPH! Doing 35 on that road felt like 120 on a straight road, but without feeling the need to get a barf bag.
Someone said the directions were so simple. Yeah. That’s why I put an extra 10 miles on, going back and forth on a one mile stretch, making terrifying turn arounds in drive ways the size of a string of spaghetti, 2 inches from the winding, barely ONE lane road.
What was amusing was the fact that Paula was two hours behind me, yet we arrived at the same time. I’m having a nervous breakdown, attempting to back in, when I look up, and there she is….face to face….me in my truck, and her in her soccer mom van. By the time we both got parked, I swear we were both vibrating from the ordeal we had miraculously survived! THANK YOU CHRIS!!!!
We got into the house, sharing our hair raising adventures, when Beth called. “Where are you?” Apparently, Paula took one road, I took a different road, and Beth was coming from a totally different direction. After much back and forth, we decided it might be a good idea to go stand down on the road so she would see where to turn. Paula on one side, me on the other. Several minutes later, a frazzled Beth arrives, thankful we had been standing out there. 
Beth, being the smart one of the bunch, brought food! Fruit and veggie trays, which was probably one of the best meals I’ve had in a while. We were alive to enjoy it!!
Julia arrived sometime later in the evening, and was totally baffled that we had had such a difficult time. 
Yeah, but it’s HER house….she knows where she’s going. If the directions she sent everyone had been followed, I think we would have all ended up in different parts of the state! 
It’s beautiful here though, and I’m glad I made the trip!
Julia thought it would be a good idea to grab some burritos, in honor of Cinco de Mayo, and head up to Sunset Hill (?) to eat. Biggest dadburn burrito I’ve ever seen in my life. And pretty tasty too. I don’t think any of us finished them.
Yep, it was fairly impressive. Thankfully, Julia took into account my limitations, and didn’t make us walk up that hill. The occasional boulder made it interesting though. Totally grateful Paula let me use her shoulder stepping up, and going back down. I don’t seem to do too well on uneven paths. Gee, can’t imagine why.
Next came a totally different experience. Totally organic yuppie grocery store? Well, some might call it that, but I’d call it a wine and coffee bar, with a few ‘organic’ veggies, and ‘green hell’! I’m thinking if you want real food, you have to go elsewhere. However, Paula and Julia did a great job, and dinner was terrific. I even ate a couple of asparagus. Yep, no doubt about it! My taste buds have gone through another oddball change.
The cooks, Paula and Julia.
Before dinner, we HAD TO don the hats….well, Paula and I did, and watch the race.
My hat.
I figure that paid for the gas….one way.
Last night, we played a game I had never played….Rummicube? Anyway, it was like gin rummy with tiles. I sucked! But it was fun.
Naturally, we kept waiting for the ‘super moon’. Paula would go out….nope…not yet. I’m thinking because we’re in the mountains, with trees out the wazoo, we didn’t really get the full affect. But, after realizing that where we are, we ain’t seeing much, Julia piled us all in her vehicle, and off we went in search of a better view. First, near the golf course.
I think Julia got the best pic of all! Heh.
Beth holding up the moon!
Then, a bit of idjit box, and off to bed. It is great to sleep with the windows open, nice and chilly, and curled up under a comforter.
This morning, I came out to the porch, thinking today is Sunday, and I’m missing church. Then, it hit me. This is God’s cathedral. He made this whole place, and I can praise him for the beauty that He has given us!
(directed towards the Mr, of course) We are going out to dinner tonight though.
There is one thing I’ve learned. I can’t wear those nicotine patches. They are NOT the same as the ones I got in the hospital!! It wasn’t bad enough they made me itch, they make my jaws tighten up? UGH! Oh well. I had planned on going smoke free for the weekend, but thankfully, I had a spare ashtray in the truck, and Julia doesn’t mind me sitting out here on the porch.
Ok, perhaps it’s not much of an adventure to most folks, but remember, I’m old! It’s the simple things in life that are important, spending times with friends, and surviving the trip here!
Seems as tho you’re having fun – ‘love you – C
Yup….and didn’t even buy ANYTHING!
Not even a t-shirt! LOL