Pretty Pretty Bang Bang

As I stated before, my residence is a bit rustic (pictures are coming) but the campus is really beautiful. What I love about my particular room is that it’s set up for three people but I’m the only one in it this week. Naturally, I chose the best bed. The shower and bathrooms are across the hall and are about the size of very small closets. I can’t sit on the toilet correctly because my legs are too long! The shower is about two steps up from summer camp. Thankfully, I have my shower shoes I purchased at the Wal-Mart classic on Mountain View.

I’m currently residing in Teachers House at Arrowmont. Arrowmont was founded in 1912 as a settlement school which meant students lived here during the week and returned home on the weekend to help on their farms. I’m living in what was once the boys dormitory and my room was the dining hall. I wonder if I’ll wake up with the munchies because of it?

I’ve checked into my room at Arrowmont and have settled in. I think the best way I can describe it is “rustic.” It’s like summer camp for adults. The room has that “cabin at the lake” smell that comes from age and dampness. Remember the scene in Trading Places when Penelope goes to pick up Louis at the police station? Well, she’s waiting for him when a smelly man falls asleep on her shoulder. Appalled, but too polite to wake him, Penelope pulls her perfume out of her purse and lightly sprays the stinky man with it. That was me yesterday. I knew I couldn’t live in the musty smelling room so I ventured out the the nearest village store and bought linen spray. I liberally sprayed the room, sheets and dresser drawers with my “Fresh Grass” scent. Who says I can’t rough it for a week? Oh, and pictures of the room will be coming soon.

The main section of Gatlinburg is a sight to see. The strip is a combination of Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Lake of the Ozarks and the fair. The sidewalks are right on the street, people are everywhere, and none of the stores are selling anything of any real value. And what’s up with fudge? Since when do people need to buy 1/2 pound slabs of it? Almost every block has a fudge/candy shop (or shoppe as they’re called). My favorite place is the “House of Illusions” a cheesy magic place with an airbrush painted sign. Pictures will be coming soon, I promise.

I now know why they call it the Great Smokey Mountains. It’s because everyone smokes! I have not seen so many people smoking in ages. The entire place looks like the outside of a hospital. Ewww!

We’ve finally arrived in Gatlinburg and are settled into the Hampton Inn. The most harrowing part of the trip was through Pigeon Forge. Imagine driving Hwy 76 in Branson (or whatever busy street you travel) during the worst traffic jam. Every time we were allowed to move forward, it was just to crawl to the next stoplight and stop again. Argh! Anyway, we finally made it to Gatlinburg, which wasn’t much better, but at least we were able to settle into the hotel room and get a beer. We ate at Smoky Mountain Brewery, a local pub wich great burgers and excellent beer. In trying to be healthy, I ordered the smoked chicken sandwich. It was good, but Steve gave me 1/2 of his blue cheese and bacon burger and it was much better. Thanks for sharing, honey! I’ll try to write tomorrow, but you probably won’t hear from me until the ride home next Saturday.

We’re now in Clarksville, TN and are about 40 or so miles from Nashville. We just made our first gas stop and I had to laugh when I went inside the station and saw a man wearing a Hawkeyes sweatshirt. Go Hawkeyes! We also crossed over the Ralph Smith bridge that spans the Cumberland River in KY. Photos will come next week.

Well, we’ve been on the road for four hours and I’ve made several observations. First, we completely stand out in small towns. Second, small Wal-Marts are cool. Third, when you get up at 5 am, you want lunch at 10:30. Our first bathroom break was at a Wal-Mart “classic” in Mountain View. I love entering a store where you can see all four walls. The next stop was Sikeston, home of the original Lambert’s. There I discovered how much we stood out as “townies.” I was not sporting my embroidered sweatshirt, tapered jeans and tennis shoes. Also, my classic ponytail was no match for the stylish ‘dos of puffy bangs and three inch black roots with bleached ends. Steve, in his dapper brown turtleneck, was no match for the sea of camo and trucker hats that surrounded us. Guess we’ll just have to remain misfits. Next stop, Paducah.

I’ve never been a fan of gummi candies, but this is just too cute! fun…bydesign Looks like something I’d buy for my nieces. I wonder if it would just make me crave candy?

One of my favorite websites is boingboing which is full of all sorts of weird stuff. Today, one of the links takes you to instructables where you get step-by-step instructions on how to make your own magnetic refrigerator LED lights. They are so cool! Suzanne, this looks like something you and I would do when we’re bored. Anyone have an old refrigerator we can play with?