Isaiah 6:8

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Showing posts with label The Dragon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Dragon. Show all posts

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Project 365 - Week 43

Here we are at week 43.  Our host, Sara, has posted a great set of photos and I would love for you all to go and see what everyone else has been doing this week.  If you are interested.....or a wee bit curious then head over to Sara's blog and check out the photo offerings.  I have been traveling this week since it was my fall break and I hope I don't bore you with my choices...I just could not decide which ones to use.  Hope you enjoy them.

Sunday, October 16th
Today was Lay Speaker Sunday and I spoke at Rock Mills.  My scripture came from Lamentations 3:21-24.  My sermon was entitled 'Great Is Thy Faithfulness."  I sang the hymn right before I spoke.  Mrs. Beth played for me on the new piano our church just purchased.  It is lovely and sounds awesome.

Monday, October 17th


Frank's Fire Dept. did an inservice for the children at Rock Mills today.  He taught them about Stop, Drop, and Roll (when he actually showed them how to do it....they all laughed).  He and Jennifer then had a race to see who could get in their gear first.  Jennifer won because Frank's boot was not cooperating.  I took pictures of the kids trying on their gear....it was a fun morning and I was so proud of my husband.

Tuesday, October 18th

We left early this morning headed to Chuck and Susan's in Knoxville.  We met Susan at Wild Wing Cafe for lunch and then she went back to work and Frank and I headed on to her house.  I have my own key and can come and go as we want.  We waited for the two of them to get there and I thought some pictures of a few of the cool things Chuck got on one of his mission trips in Brazil would make a nice shot for the day.

Wednesday, October 19th


It was a gross day.  If it was not raining....it was really foggy.....so we changed our plans and we went shopping, had Starbucks coffee, looked at decorations, rode up to Wears Valley area, played with Mr. Aaron (Susan's new grandson), visited with Jan (Susan's daughter), and I got to meet my blogging friend, Mary, at Shoney's for dessert.  Chuck and Susan had a business meeting at church so while they were gone we rode over to the airport area and met Mary.  It was so exciting to finally meet her.    She is just as lovely as I thought she would be.  

Thursday, October 20th



We made it to Cades Cove today...it was still very foggy....but occasionally the sun would break through and I would grab a fall foliage picture, or some turkey, or the lone doe.  It was a long and tedious trip through the Cove since it is peak season and everyone else decided to go today too.  After the Cove we went to the Craftsman's Fair in Gatlinburg and headed back to Susan's.  I attended Bible Study with her tonight at her church and the guys went out for Chinese food. 

Friday, October 21st










Chuck was off today so we loaded up early, headed to Shoney's for breakfast and then headed up into the mountains.  Today we are going to do the Dragon.  It is an 11 mile stretch of road with 318 curves.  Small cars and motorcycles love this stretch of road.  The HHR did remarkable on it.  The record for this is 9 minutes.  I can't imagine anyone doing this is nine minutes.  The Tree of Shame is at Deal's Gap and it is where motorcyclist hang the parts of their motorcycles when they wreck on the run.  The leaves were gorgeous and we took advantage of several of the overlooks before and after the Dragon.  We ate supper in Pidgeon Forge, went to the Smokey Mountain Knife place and headed to the house.  It was the perfect day.....until my Alabama friend Mary called with some bad news about her health.  If you follow my blog then you probably prayed for her during the summer.  She was in the hospital from July to September....well...her cancer has metastasized to her spine.  She will see an oncologist on Monday.  What is it about me coming to the mountains during a break?  My friend Trina said I was going to have to start working through breaks.

Satuday, October 22nd

We went to an auction today just outside of Roanoke.  Before leaving town we stopped at Subway for the rest of the group to get supper....the Eagle Drug store had team logos painted on their windows and I thought they looked pretty cool.  Love that team spirit.  I spent a whopping $8.40 at the auction....and brought home many "gifts" from Marcie.  I learned last night when someone gives you a gift you can't refuse it....so I got a spotted bear lotion dispenser, a sparkly Santa Claus, a candle holder or two, and two spotted dog statues....love that Marcie.  It was loads of fun even though some of the stuff was junk....who am I kidding....most it was....but the company made the evening a success.  Can't wait for the next auction!  See you next Sunday and I hope you have a great week!

Friday, October 21, 2011

The Dragon and I

Today was an amazing day in the Smokey Mountains.  Chuck took me somewhere I have never been.  We did the 318 curves in 11 miles called the Dragon.  Deals Gap is a popular and internationally famous destination for driving enthusiasts (of motorcycles and sports cars), as it is located along a stretch of two-lane road known as the The Dragon (or The Tail of the Dragon). The 11-mile stretch of the Dragon in Tennessee is said to contain 318 curves. Some of the Dragon’s sharpest curves have names like Copperhead Corner, Hog Pen Bend, Wheelie Hell, Killboy (formerly Shade Tree) Corner, Mud Corner, Sunset Corner, Gravity Cavity, Beginner’s End and Brake or Bust Bend. 
According to all the information I read about the Dragon it appears that the road segment earned its name from its curves resembling the back or the tail of a dragon. The stretch bears the street name Tapoco Road in North Carolina and    Calderwood Highway in Tennessee and is signed entirely by U.S. Highway 129. State Route 115 is included on maps, and is the name used by Tennessee Department of Transportation for highway contracts. Since part of the road is also the southwestern border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there is no development along the 11 mile stretch, resulting in no danger of vehicles pulling out in front of those in the right of way. It mostly travels through forested area. Along the route, there are a few scenic overlooks and pull off points.  The speed limit on the Dragon was 55 mph prior to 1992(I can't imagine ANYONE doing this speed); however, in the 1990s and early 2000s, the limit was reduced a number of times until 2005 when a speed limit of 30 mph was signed a  long the entire stretch.  Crashing on The Dragon earns you the right to hang part of your crash damage on the famous “Tree of Shame” at Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort at the corner of US 129 and Hwy. 28, formerly known as the Crossroads of Time.  It was an exhilarating trip....both up and back.  Susan and I sat in the back seat and held on for dear life as Chuck and Frank enjoyed the daylights out of this trip and laughed like fools at us....and took the curves like it was Dead Man's Curve.  Believe me....it was a wonderful day....a good time was had by all....I actually can't wait to go back and drive it myself.....in a convertible.....and I can't wait to post my pictures tomorrow and let you see what I have been up to this week.  When you go to bed tonight....say a prayer for my school friend, Mary(the one who spent so much time in the hospital this summer)....she got some not so good news today.  Headed home tomorrow.....pray for traveling grace for us too!  Night all!