Roan Jones

Three weeks from now, we'll be encsonced in our cabin in Roan Mountain State Park, Tennessee.

Last year, Sandy and I drove up the week before July 4.  This year, circumstances dictated a later week.  We changed the date a few times, until the secretary at Roan said we couldn't change the date any more.  The first week we picked turned out to be the one ending with my mother's 80th birthday.  Once I remembered, I knew that was a no-go.  Then we picked the week of the Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain.  But we wanted to have one of the nicer cabins, and none were available, so after further investigation into my vacation possibilities (Sandy's retired now, the rat, and had no such issues), we decided the third week of August was the one. Now I'm glad it worked out that way, because if we'd gotten our first choice, it would all be over by now; instead, we are in a state of anxious anticipation.  In fact, I'm thinking of putting the suitcase on the bed in the guest room and starting to pack.

Sandy has made a list of food items to bring.  I'll bring a jar of oven-dried tomatoes, a few pounds of pasta, some frozen pesto and tomato sauce, and a big container of shredded Reggiano parmesan.  We could live off that for a week.  Sandy, of course will bring an equal pile of treats, and I know Shirley, when she drives over to join us, will add to the wealth.

We loved our cabin last year, but the nicer ones are bigger, and have a pair of double beds, instead of twin beds, in the loft.  None has a television.  The key thing, though, is that they have a telephone.  Last year, we found our cell phone coverage to be spotty at best (Sandy's phone) to non-existent (my phone).  Shirley's worked pretty well, but she was only with us about half the time.  Toward the end of our stay, Sandy's mother was hospitalized, and we didn't know it until a ranger came to the door to tell us Sandy had a message.  Fortunately, she had strained her back, and when Sandy managed to reach her, she said she didn't have to return early.

But her Mom is ailing; my folks are stable, but no longer in great health, so being able to be reached is critical.  So we finally found a week when we could get a good cabin. 

We'll miss the Rhododendron Festival, but there'll be hiking trails and beautiful flowers and foliage all the same. Temperatures average in the 70's in the daytime and 50's at night.  We learned last year that we should carry water when we hike, and part of the ritual will be to find (and use) suitable walking sticks.  The Appalachian Trail runs through the area.  Last year we hiked a part of it.  The mountains were beautiful.

Can't wait.

[Image via Roan Mountain, Tennessee Land for Sale]

Comments

[Houston]

I love the Smokey Mountains, too. Have a fabulous holiday.