DAY 7 HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

Yeah you got yer dead cat
and you got yer dead dog
On a moonlight night
you got yer dead toady frog
Got yer dead rabbit
and yer dead raccoon
The blood and the guts
they're gonna make you swoon!
You got yer dead skunk in the middle of the road
Stinkin' to high Heaven!

Loudon Wainwright III

That lyric best describes the first 100 miles this morning. Lots of animals that didn't pay attention in critter class when the teacher was talking about highway safety. Everything was on the road from a small bear to possums on the half shell (armadillos) to the ever fragrant skunks.

We left at the usual time heading for the Cherohala Parkway which links to the Tail of the Dragon. Passed several areas with downed power lines and crews were hard at work on a Sunday stringing new power lines and replacing poles, many of the businesses still without power. Also passed into an area were the tornadoes had gone across the road leaving total destruction of the houses on each side, makes you very thankful for your own home.

Finally made it into the western edge of the Great Smokey Mountains but had to spend an hour on the Interstate first in stop and go traffic, glad to get back off onto two lane. Soon we were on state route 74 along the Ocoee River a popular white water rafting area. The road follows the river hugging the bank winding back and forth while trying to watch the rafts negotiate the rapids along the way. We eventually turned north on the western leg of the Cherohala one of those roads with trees up to the edge 20 MPH corners and light traffic. Then it was back west to Athens Tennessee to find a place to stay for the night. Not a lot of miles today but with one exception great roads, great weather, and incredible scenery.

I put some pictures on the web site but haven't had time to label and edit them yet, you'll have to guess for now what they are.