SEVIERVILLE, TN

DAY 32 (May 16^th)

Today we drove to see where Judy Gale Roberts Intarsia Studio is. Location is about 10 miles west of where we are staying. Beautiful drive in the country. Her instructions state, “no RV's” and after being there it is clear there is no way they could make the turn, if they survive the narrow country roads. Her home and studio are in a lovely spot. Hard to describe how peaceful it is. Porch has chairs for “sit'n and rock'n”, a built in BBQ and a screened in dining area. The outside walls are decorated with old signs, tools, etc. that have been collected from all over. Inside, Judy's Intarsia Patterns are on display by the actual Intarsia Art. To see these art pieces in person is awesome. Clearly, pictures on the internet or the catalog photos don't show how beautiful they are. There are also several mural pieces on display.

Front Porch of Studio

Breeze Way with Screened Area for Dining

View of Gallery when entering Studio

Beautiful Intarsia Mural

One corner of Studio

Class Room and Work Shop

DAY 33

We decided to tour the area and headed for Cades Cove. Here are several churches, homes, barns and other buildings, that have been preserved for visitors. A one-way loop drive takes you by several stopping points along the way. Several stops are of the beautiful valley. There was a mist the day we went, so taking photos was a bit of a challenge. I also forgot to take my extra battery and, you guessed it, my camera battery died. I'd also left the Nikon at the motor home. So much for preplanning.

People are strange, and this drive didn't prove different. Speed limit is 15-20 mph along the loop road. There are signs stating, “Do not stop on road. Use pull outs.” Plenty of view stops and pull outs are located along the 14 mile loop. So, we were following 3-4 cars on this misty, overcast, gray day. The lead car would stop in the middle of the road and a passenger would jump out with camera to take a photo of something. Most of the time it was the wild turkeys and a few deer. I couldn't help but think that they must never had seen a wild turkey or a deer. They do have black bear here, but didn't see them. We kept hoping they would pull over and let the line pass them. But no, they kept to their 5-10 mph. We must have had 5+ cars behind us and no one seemed impatient. But I know one person who was! Finally, we found a view spot and pulled over...mostly out of sheer frustration. After a few scenic shots through the mist, back in the car, and once again we were right behind them. They finally pulled into a large information area and we kept on going, at reasonable speed, for the last 5-6 miles of the loop.

Cades Cove Valley - Misty Day, but beautiful vistas!

 
Our country drive then followed a lovely river toward Gatlinburg. In Gatlinburg we walked the tourist area full of really TOURIST shops, etc. But we found a gallery that sold art by local art school students. Now that was interesting. From there we drove to the Arts and Crafts Community, which is located on another loop drive of two country roads, just east of Gatlinburg. There are over 100 shops, gallery's and studios of local artists. Made a note that I would come back here.


Only Black Bear we saw was this
 Chain Saw Bear on a post,
 with a fungus as a floral decor.

DAY 34-36

Elwyn's Intarsia Class 9-5 each day. He would drive there and I would take the car for the day, picking him up at 5pm. They provided lunch each day for the students. On the last day, I joined him for lunch at the Studio. BBQ'ed pulled-pork on bun, coleslaw, iced tea or lemon-aid, cobbler w/ice cream. YUM! Back at 4:30 to pick him up. Project finished all but the final touches, which students are to do at home. The project for this class was a Lion Cub.

Student at work!

Lion Cub Project in progress

In the Trees for Lunch - notice ants on counter top!

After Lunch Break for Dessert

I had wanted to take photos of some old barns and so asked at the RV office where to drive to possibly get some photos. With my directions in hand, off I went. On a nice but well traveled country road, I drove pass one. Found a place to turn around and not only was there one old barn there, found another right behind it. Had both cameras with me and extra battery (although I knew I wouldn't need it). Later I found a third barn, but couldn't get as close to it as I wanted. Some photographers will trespass. Don't think this is a good idea for me. 1) I don't run. 2) I don't carry. 3) I'm too old for this! LOL! Anyway, I was pleased with the photos I took, at least of barn #1 and barn #2.

Photo of Barn #2

Photo of Barn #3

Intrested Grazers at Barn #3 (I was behind a fence)

Photo of Barn #1

Photo of Barn #1

Photo of Barn #2

On the way back, my route took me toward Gatlinburg and right by the Arts and Crafts Community. I had two places I really wanted to stop.

First was Apple Annie's, which is a Antique and Memorabilia Kitchen Shop. Here I saw several women going thru several stacks of 'braided rugs'. Beautiful colors and looked well done. So, I asked about them. Was told (and who knows if true) that the yarn used is all donated from scraps and braided by a 78 year old man. His daughters then do the sewing. Okay. She only gets the rugs about once a week. Found one I like and the price was right! Quality appears to be GOOD and reversible. Washable, but not dry-able. I then decided that I needed two 4' ovals, but couldn't match the one I wanted for the entry of the motor home. So, bought the 3' oval and a small round one for a hot pad on counter. Cost: 3' $19.99; Sm Rn $9.99 + sales tx. Now I wish I'd bought the 4' ovals that almost matched! Next time!

Second stop was at Alewine's Pottery. Signature pottery is with leaves. Beautiful. Found several I liked and prices were good. However, fell in love with two pieces, without the signature leaves, but much easier to stow and more likely to arrive home in one piece. But hey, they have an on-line store!

There were many more places we wanted to visit. And I found that I was over 200 miles from my grade-school friend, Donna, so didn't get to So. Carolina to visit her. Had we been able to stay another two weeks, we would have driven closer in the motor home. But this means, “We'll be back!”


DAY 37

Spent Saturday preparing to leave early Sunday morning. Really like Tennessee and think that a Fall visit may be next. This trip hasn't been as relaxing as our prior RV experiences, what with all the storms, etc. we have been lucky to avoid. Hoping that our return trip will be less taxing.



Cleo's Comments:

  My people left me alone most of the time and I enjoyed my leisure time by “sleeping” when I wasn't checking out the birds and the people at the river doing something my people called 'fishing'. I saw several there one day, but didn't see anything different. So, still not too sure what this 'fishing' is all about. But they seemed to be enjoying themselves.
  Even saw some smaller people getting in the water. Why? They would splash the water with their feet at each other, run back onto the grass, laughing and then do it all over again. I don't want to get my feet in any water!
  One of my people told me I have gained weight! Guess that means he'll cut back on my food. Bet they have gained weight too! I don't see them cutting back! Maybe, if I whimper enough at night while they are eating, I'll get a few more morsels.
  We have been here a long time. I'll have to keep watch for the signs they are getting ready to start this beast!

Just checking things out before we leave.