Thursday, Jul. 11, 2002 - 11:30 p.m.
The first part in a series...
Are there any other words in the English language that just make the soul sing like the phrase, "Weddings 'N Smokies"?
What's this? Has Scott finally gone mad you ask?
Nay I say, however, I have gone past the Mason Dixon line to the wonderful town of Gatlinburg, TN. Let me tell you something... I ain't going back any time soon.
Let me state something before I continue with this recap of the last 2 weeks of my life. I went to TN to go to one of my best friend's weddings. Chris and I lived together in college for 3 years, and we were on the same freshman hall. He was one of the first people I met at Lehigh, tall, goofy, and with painted toenails. He has since stopped painting his toenails, however, the rest remains the same. I was there because his wedding is obviously an important event in his life, and I was one of the few college friends invited. How could I not go? So I went.
Now Chris has met me on various occasions, so he knows I am an honest fellow, so I am going to describe what I saw as I saw it.
With that out of the way, the Lovely Elisa and I flew out of Newark and into Knoxville on a tiny jet. I couldn't stand up straight in it, and I banged my head as I entered the aircraft. Not a good sign. The pilots were shooting up, and drinking at the same time but I think that is because of the new FAA regulations.
The flight was uneventful, no gremlins on the wing, or barf in the bag. They did give us a 'sandwich,' translation, one slice of turkey and one leaf of lettuce on a dinner roll. Classy.
So we land in Knoxville International Airport, and debark from our transport. As I stroll into the terminal I know I was in the South. No, not because of the stench, but because everywhere you looked there were rocking chairs. Rocking chairs! In the airport. There were tiny rocking chairs, regular rocking chairs, and even double rocking chairs (for the couple that likes to rock together).
We collected our luggage and met up with Thad and Erin. Thad and Erin are friends from college as well, and thus our Lehigh Squad was complete. Thad and Erin regaled us with tales of Knoxville. You see they had arrived a few hours before the Lovely Elisa and I, and as such had some time to scout the location. They saw the Sun Sphere (full of wigs) and Walmart (oddly enough also full of wigs).
After we had greeted each other we piled into the rental car and started singing, "This Land is Your Land" as we enjoyed the buffet that is America.
We found the cabins, after passing a sign advertising 'Unguided Horse Rides, Guides Available,' and settled in to wait for the rest of the crew to show up.
On the porch of the cabin awaited rocking chairs. The lovely Elisa, Thad and Erin, and myself rocked until people rolled in.
We met a bunch of Chris' new friends and made nice with them. I saw Chris' father again and introduced myself to him. He said, "I know Scott, we have a picture of you on our wall." Of course since he is a mail man I thought he was referring to my Wanted Poster, turns out Chris' parents have a picture of Chris and I hosting our college radio show.
More tomorrow
