The return of thunderstorms and mountains..

If I haven't mentioned the reason for Gatlinburg before now, I'll explain. Some time, back in Arizona, I jumped on the bandwagon with Caleb to take a wilderness first aid course, necessary for his summer job, but something that may also boost my chances of getting a federal job through NPS or on a fire crew. So after touring the pacific northwest coast, we quickly and almost in a blur covered ground over at least half of the US in less then 24 hours, actually it was more like 22 but who's counting. The course had housing for us in a sweet little cabin type bunk house, complete with a full kitchen and a room full of AT ridge runners with stories that'll entertain you for days. We took the course with a few others like ourselves, not because we worked for the Appalachian trail conservancy, but those guys were great. My roommate, Kay was approaching 60 years old but had the heart and attitude of someone far closer to me in age, We got along well, as southern women are known as talkers, myself included sort of, we would talk about all sorts of things, needless to say, we hit it off. It wouldn't feel right if either one of us didn't know someone close by to visit and sure enough Caleb's friend from Asheville came out to have dinner with us. We walked a round Gatlinburg after, checking out the scene. It had its quirks touristy traps and even its own moonshine distillery. Down the street a bit into Pigeon Forge however, is probably a place I don't ever have to see again. Its a little like Disney but there is no real theme except southern stereotypes. I will say there is an awesome multilevel go kart track that looked cool but other then that I will no longer trust $6 pizza salad and pasta buffets, I don't even know why I did in the first place. Anywho the training part of our stay was awesome. Our instructor was hilarious and people quickly found out about my laughs and giggle fits. We learned all sorts of things, generally covered in the other first aid course I've taken before but this time the emphasis was on concepts and information to use to the best way we could in the event of a wilderness first aid situation. It was relaxed and comprehensive, all the things you wish every training could be like. Plus we all lived together and had training in the same house, so snacking was made convenient. Anything from broken bones to hypothermia, allergic reactions, you name it, I can hold you together until real help comes, no promises I wont throw up though, some of that shit is just gross. Successfully completed and added to my resume, we headed to Nashville, another place I never really ever thought Id actually make it to. Caleb's friend from Michigan was our host the first night, and an awesome one at that. Despite mid-terms and a truck load of stress he stayed up and talked with us about our travels, living vicariously through them waiting for his big break to go out and explore, after of course he got his degree in medical physics. Unfortunately our time ended a bit early because of a sill he took off his bike and had to get stitches for. Our very own Allen Hunt had moved to Nashville and was just finishing up recording when we got there. He was our host for night 2. After he wrapped up we meet up with him and went out to celebrate! He took us down to east Nashville, not Broadway where the lights and neon cowboy hat and boot shaped lights blinked and decent bands squished into every bar to play for tips. This place was far removed. 5 spot was the name and fiddle playing on Wednesday night was there game, in two jam session circles actually. My favorite part of Nashville, besides the smell of bbq everywhere, was the music in everything. Whether it was music row lined with record companies, bars filled will honky tonk, or studios, it was just in conversation, in the air, it was everywhere and I love that! I partly blame the combination of Allen and Caleb in a room together but the immersion was good for the soul. The musicians that came to 5 spot were not playing for a crowd, they played for each other, testing out the new guys or wailing on a washtub bass, it was awesome. Plus I got to hear some of Allens new music, which is always a pleasure. I just keep waiting for him to be famous so I can say I knew him before all the fame and things that go with. A fellow green bison and his other half lived in St. Louis about 6 hours north. So after chocolate pancakes and packing the car with our “red bags” we headed on our very last leg of the trip, the road home ( with a couple stops).