Days 142-144 - Beyond internet reach

Friday and Saturday - Has it really only been two days driving, driving, driving?  Thursday we didn't get to the motel until 11 pm.  Way too far away, but we hadn't originally planned on an additional 'just off the road' family visit.  We were glad we did but exhausted.  Stopping at a Subway and bringing lunch one day saved time, but the chicken salad I ordered was barely edible.  Looks like my tastes are changing as I got used to selections of 'real food'.

Shoney's near Fayetteville, NC delivered on the best strawberry pie (I could still skip the crust).  Even the sauce was a reduction of REAL strawberries.  Dinner that evening was at friend Becky's - a light meal as requested made of food from her garden. 

What a difference when food is fresh!  We had a french vegetable soup topped with pistou, puff pastry cheese straws made a pretty and tasty side dish, and a unique 3 layer strawberry pie topped off the exceptional meal.  Thank you Becky for a refreshing visit.

A lunch stop at Benita's brought us farther south again and another thoughtful friend made a gluten-free lunch that included a beautiful salad topped with chicken, strawberries and pecans.  Relishes and rolls were served for the 'other two sisters' and I got a remembered favorite of gluten-free chips.  Lava never tasted so good ... for an almost flourless (less than a tsp. of flour apiece) chocolate lava cake.  I'm truly sorry I was so excited to see my friend I forgot to photograph lunch, but will include the recipe later.  Ours were served with fresh blueberries, strawberries and whipped cream.  Benita has a MaryKay business so we got hand treatments and facials after lunch and my sister Marvel, who is appropriately named, gave us marvelous massages.  A relaxing and delightful afternoon.

Dinner was in Candler just south of Asheville with friends of Marlene.  We ate at Fatz and my fish (no one knew what kind it was - even the waitress (!) but the risk for a broiled whitefish was rewarded with melt-in-your mouth lightly seasoned seafood and giant sweet potato fries which we all shared.

RAIN!  Plans for Dollywood were postponed and instead we bargain hunted in Asheville and Cherokee and headed for friend Barbs.  Lunch on the way was SMACKERS.  Got a picture of this one as we were served a fresh loaf of pumpernickel before lunch and we all decided to request hamburgers on that bread.  A delicous - and yes, lip-smacking choice!

Relaxing in the woods with friend Barb was a great way to end that rainy day and prepare for a long, curvy, ear-popping ride up and down the smoky mountains.  The fog was pretty for picture taking but not so pleasant to drive through.  That harrowing drive brought us right to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood.

Forgot to photograph food at Dollywood but will tell you we were delightfully surprised at the freshness, the taste and even the price.  Lunch was a chicken fajita salad.  Lettuce topped with grilled onions, peppers and chicken, then a layer of fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and green peppers.  The crest of the mountain of salad on our plates was ranch dressing.  Wow. 

Snacking the rest of the day as we moved from show to show only left room for a kiddie hamburger sans bun at Cracker Barrel.  Besides we needed time to shop at their sale!

The girls are waiting for me - on the road again heading west now for another friends!  We are surely blessed with wonderful family and friends who seemed as happy and excited to see us as we were to see them!

It is such a blessing to enjoy the special qualities, skills, talents and love of these special people in our lives.