BUGOUT!

(There are some of you who heard Col Sherman T. Potter’s voice when you read the word Bugout!)

This has been some eventful week! Last Saturday I drove to my last stop in Tennessee – a cabin in The Great Smokey Mountains, more specifically, Sevierville, TN. I didn’t make it to Dollywood this time around because even though I am completely comfortable doing things on my own, I just don’t think a Theme Park is fun on my own. So … looks like I’ll be back! Next time I’ll skip finding a place in the mountains. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the view from my window every morning … but the steep incline to up the mountain was NO JOKE! There were certain spots on that road where it was so steep that the only thing I could see out the windshield was the hood of my car!

My first site seeing stop there was Cades Cove at The Great Smokey Mountains National Park. I did the Cades Cove Loop, very cool! Afterwards I went to Gatlinburg – I had some great ribs & pulled pork there! The town of Gatlinburg is very commercial. I’ve heard great things about it, but I just didn’t like it, too commercial. I didn’t do the Sky Bridge because it was getting late in the day, but would go back just for that if time allows.

Then on Wednesday, the weather happened! The forecast was saying 80-90mph wind gusts in the mountains and possible tornados. I started getting evacuation alerts for areas near me right after lunch so I kept in contact with the AirBnB host and started packing just in case my mountain was next. Reports on the fires in the mountains started coming in and it wasn’t long after that the host notified me that Bluff Mountain was being evacuated. So I finished packing, put most of my stuff in the bathroom, took an overnight bag and headed down the mountain. First phone call was to my BFF, Melissa. She checked the radar to help me figure out which way to drive (away from the storm) - and helped me find a hotel in Pigeon Forge. (Thank you my dear friend!) Happy to say I found a Fairfield Inn … they have an evacuation rate! Early the next morning I continued to follow the news of the fires so I decided it would be best to stay in the hotel the rest of my time there since it was just two more days. I tried to make my way back to the Airbnb to see if I could get the rest of my stuff (should have taken it in the first place). I hit three road blocks because of the fires until the GPS finally found a route to get me back up the mountain. When I got there the grill and all the outdoor furniture was flipped over and far from where it was when I left. I grabbed my stuff and headed back down the mountain. I could smell the fire from the cabin. As you read this, please say a prayer for all those families who were displaced and lost everything. I heard one story on the news where a 9 year old had to run out of the house in just his undies because they had to get out so quick.

Ironically, the morning of the evacuation I had taken a picture of the sign in the picture I posted here …. if you can’t make it out it says: "Things turn out better for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out." So appropriate! I did make the best of it, I went to Paula Dean’s Lumberjack Feud and the Smokey Mountain Knife Store … it was actually pretty cool.

Then on Saturday, I started my journey back to NY/NJ. I had planned on staying with my mom when I got back but she has a cold, so my Godmother Vicky opened up her home with her usual well stocked pantry (you would not believe the amount of candy & cookies!) I’ll be back in NJ/NY for three weeks and will continue to be a hobo as I’ll be staying with friends & family and also a short stay at a hotel near Yankees Stadium while here.

And so, two months into this adventure and I have to say I’m loving it - am already excited about the next leg of this journey. Yes, there have been a few mishaps along the way but all in all it has been fantastic. Every new city, every new conversation with new people I meet just confirms that I’m doing the right thing. I said in my explanation of what I I’m doing that I’m happiest when planning my next trip. And I really am … I’ve been planning out my journey for after this home stand but learned from the last two months that I really can plan further than two weeks out.

Right now I am super excited about Opening Day! Hoping it’s not rained out!