After stopping at the liquor store and the FLAPS for essential items, I lit out on I-40 going east to meet Ric at Chuckie's Redneck Campout just outside of Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP). I left early-ish (noon) to avoid the seething rabid masses that would converge on downtown Knoxville for the football game. About 40 miles out, I stopped for fuel and from that point, decided to take the back roads instead. I was not disappointed (no bus sightings, however). I made a tape of traveling music as my contribution to the items in the little train case that holds the baton (that stuffed animal is TOO BIG!), and listened to that almost the whole way. I hope everyone likes it. I got to the campground sometime in the middle of the afternoon and Ric got there just before dark. All in all, there were about 18 buses there, a bunch of great people, and LOTS of good food (I didn't need to bring any -- I did pass the bottle around, though). Ric made an announcement about our purpose there, and everyone gathered around to see what it was all about. We got a group photo with Ric and I passing the baton and then we commenced to partyin'. The next day was lazy. We slept late.
We finally got the breakfast dishes cleaned up around noon, and we went our separate ways -- Ric back home to help his folks celebrate 63 years of wedded bliss, and me with the baton, taking the long way through GSMNP back to my house. Next (from what I understand) it goes to Chattanooga.
Rave on!
Chris Slaymaker, Knoxville, Tennessee
1971 Westy "Lurch"
"May the four winds blow you safely home"
