Dogwoods Reach for the Sun in the Beautiful Smokies

What is this legal pad and pencil doing in my lap this morning? My daughter put it there as she went out the door. "Write another story today about long ago," she said. My link to the past.

Today I am thinking about a trip to the Smokies several weeks ago. These mountains should send out invitations to come and see them they are so beautiful now. I did get an invitation from a grandson who is a physician in Knoxville, Tenn. They are holding a medical convention in Gatlinburg, Tennessee at the Park Vista Hotel. It has 16 stories with a glass elevator going up and down constantly. My grandson was one of the principal speakers. His subject was lightning injuries. The anticipation of going to hear him address the convention was almost as good as being there.

We had reservations at the Quality Inn. Upon arriving we were given keys to our rooms. We carried our own luggage. Unlocking the door, I stepped back. This must be where the convention is held. A large table with padded chairs, a hanging lamp in the middle awaited us. I know that is the table where you write the ‘wish you were here’ cards to mail back home.

There was also a small refrigerator with a coffee maker and coffee in all the rooms at no extra cost. Across the street was a shop with a machine knitting socks. On the second floor were two ghosts that came to the window to look out, fading away and returning again.

There was a sign saying Reagan Square. They just hadn't had time to change it to Bush or else they didn't want to change it.

I had intended to keep a record as things emerged, but everything was in such a rush sometimes I forgot.

The dogwood in the mountains was just beautiful. It seemed to grow quite tall reaching for the sun. The breeze sent them dancing together like a Strauss waltz.

One writer from the Herald Citizen, James Kilpatrick I believe, said, "spring came in late this season one lovely leaf at a time."

As I looked at my notes, I wrote to be sure to watch the sunrise over the mountain. One side of our room was glassed in, a perfect spot to do just that, but I missed it. I was just too sleepy.

The convention is over and this is our last day here. As we approached Clinch Mountain, I looked over my shoulder and the sky looked so forbidding.

I'm so thankful my son is in the driver's seat. Then the rain came. Thank goodness we had the car checked before leaving home. Thank goodness for windshield wipers that do a good job. Thank goodness for the one who thought of painting the white and yellow line to guide people. After we came down from the mountain the rain continued to pour for miles. Home at last, as we drove into my driveway the rain had stopped and the sun was shining!

L to R- Skylar and Rhonda Smith, Mary Eleanor, June Smith, Damond Martin, Dr. Sullivan Smith and Jean Wallace.