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Published: November 14th 2009
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November 12, 2009
Today we went back into town and did a bit more exploring. We decided to go to Dollywood and take a look from the outside just to see what it was about. When we found it, you could see nothing from the parking lot. After hemming and hawing…it costs $50.00 a person to get in, Donna and I decided to go…after all, when would we be in Pigeon Forge again? Dollywood was quite a surprise! I expected a high tech type place with crazy rides. It wasn’t like that at all! If you’ve ever been to Clark’s Trading Post in New Hampshire…that’s what it’s like…only much much bigger. It even has the train ride! The Christmas lights were all on and when it got dark it was lovely. Of note is that within the park, there are 25…yes, 25 places to eat…and not one of them offers yogurt and carrot sticks…wow! There was everything from homemade fudge to turkey legs to fried chicken to biscuits and gravy. Whatever artery clogging food you can think of…Dolly’s got it! Donna and I pretty much made it out unscathed. We did watch one of the live shows (there are many) and
it was quite good. It was quaint and sweet and I’m glad we went.
Something that has struck me the entire time I’ve been in the South is how kind and happy the people are. I envy their contented unassuming ways. They seem confident of who they are and what they stand for. There are signs of Christianity everywhere, the American Flag waves proudly…and there is no conflict about it; no one apologizes for it…it’s just what people believe. Without exception, everyone we met was helpful and friendly. The pace is definitely slower and somehow seems simpler…easier. We never left a restaurant where the waitress didn’t say “Y’all have a good day”. And most times, other patrons in the restaurant when leaving would also wish us a good or “blest” day. One telling experience: when Donna and I were on the train ride at Dollywood and the train pulled into the station, the conductor announced that there were “some folks on the last car of the train that needed a head start gettin’ off” (they were handicapped people) and he asked everyone to remain seated and allow these riders off first. Do you know that not one person stood up
and tried to get off!!! Everyone sat patiently until the conductor gave the word and then we all slowly filed off…and I thought; if this had been Boston, it would have been like the running of the bulls!!!
One last thing: our friend the raccoon…we call him Rocky (predictably) was back last night! We were reading and he suddenly showed up at our door…kind of like an apparition! Anyway, Bill decided to put some leftover bread out on the deck…well…shortly after, there were two Rockys… and then three!!!
They are amazing creatures with their bandit eyes and their paws that work like hands…I only got a shot of two of them…but they were cute…and so tame. The only thing was this: we were afraid to go out and get in the hot tub!!! Well…Bill wasn’t. But the truth is; he never had any intention of sinking his skinny butt into that hot tub and then brave the cold air when he had to get out!!! What did it matter to him if the deck was littered with vicious, man-eating raccoons? But we did have fun watching the critters!
Today’s Road Lesson: Raccoons like garlic bread!
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