A Mixed Blessing

We rolled out of Cumberland Falls first thing and headed toward Gatlinburg, the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. The drive through Knoxville was slightly treacherous as it was pouring rain and trucks were bearing down. But Brian survived my backseat driving and brought us safely here. The first time we drove through Pigeon Forge and Sevierville wasn’t bad.  

 pecan pancakes, corned beef eggs benedict  

We drove past them, had a most excellent breakfast at Crockett’s, and then decided to venture back to Sevierville to go to the antique stores. However, I got sidetracked by boot stores and found myself trying on cowboy boot after cowboy boot. 

A pair, brown with teal and red roses, felt particularly comfortable. However, due to the selection I couldn’t decide and left without a single pair. When I finished at the boot shop, I wanted to go to some of the antique stores that we had passed along Sevierville. Big mistake. Traffic heading back to Gatlinburg rivaled that of Lake Geneva on a summer weekend. It was bumper to bumper. Brian and I decided to hightail it to the hills —  the Lodge at Buckberry Creek.  

 We settled in our room with its magnificent view of the Smokies and the wandering black bear. Then a delicious dinner at the gourmet restaurant at the top of the mountain.  

 

Returning back to our room, we watched the sun set over the Smokies and the mist rise as we worked on the new Antique Hunters Book.