This has been a really interesting and significant week. Ann and I traveled to Townsend Tennessee with our friends Ron & Jean Like from Kansas City. We spent four nights in a cabin on the Little River. Ron and Jean are easy to vacation with. I particularly enjoyed our hike to Abrams Falls in Cades Cove. It was a 6 mile round trip and gave us a great workout. The highlight of the week for Ron was when he encountered a black bear while we were fishing Wednesday. We played cards each evening. I think I lost every game. We did the Smokey Mtn things: drove the motor trail, ate at Pancake Pantry, toured the Arts and Crafts loop, had lunch at the Wild Plum Tea Room, climbed to Clingman’s Dome, fished for trout (no luck), cruised Pigeon Forge and had ice cream.
In the midst of our activities I learned that my old friend Don Stack died Tuesday morning. I also received word that my friend Gary had been fired from his ministry position at OCC. That news kept me grounded in reality.
Friday we drove to Gardendale, Alabama and visited with Carter and Lori. Friday night we went to a high school football game. Lori’s son, Curtis got to play in his first varsity game. It must have been 30 years since I’ve done that. It was a beautiful evening and our team won the game. Today we drove to Rogersville to visit with my Aunt Imogene and cousin Jerry. Tomorrow we will go to church with Jerry and then drive to Nashville for a short visit with Linda and Jim Arnett before we head home. I’m looking forward to being home.