December 2
We left Charlotte around 10:00. There was a lot of rain so we took our time. We were planning to go to Murphey NC, but had a lot of trouble getting out of Asheville. Do we trust the GPS, the map, or the Internet printout????? Nothing was making sense and we were getting quite frustrated. The sun finally came out around 4:30 and it was amazing to see the wispy fog/clouds hugging the mountains as the sun set. I wanted to take a picture, but there were so many high line wires, I didn’t think it would be as impressive if you had to look between the lines.
When we decided to find a Wal-Mart to spend the night, the GPS insisted on taking us to one we couldn’t see--backtracking about 10 miles. Finally we pulled into the mall the GPS wanted us to get in to and saw an abandoned building (Wal-Mart has moved.) A police officer was parked in the almost empty lot. He told us where to find another one but we asked if we could just stay there and he said, “Sure.” so we did. It was warmer and no rain at that time, but the wind and rain picked up later. I believe we’ve experienced this before!
December 3
The trip from North Carolina to Tennesee was a combination of interesting interruptions. Two different highways were closed due to rock slides. We did get to Murphey and found our way to Fields of the Woods. This is a place where the world’s largest Ten Commandments are displayed, at least that’s what they claim. They are displayed on a big hill. There are also a lot of Bible verses displayed around the area, and a hill with many rocks engraved with descriptions of various attributes. There is a replica of the tomb and a hill with 3 crosses on it. We had hot chocolate at the gift store/restaurant. It was quite interesting and free, but we wouldn’t recommend going out of the way to see it.
From there on we got on a road we thought would take us easily towards TN, but ran into a road block due to a truck going off the road. We waited awhile in a gas station, then were told it was cleared up and we could go around and get ahead of the line of trucks waiting. It was smooth sailing, or driving, from there. We got to Ken & Joy McGarvey’s home (with some cell phone directions) around 4:30 and had a great dinner and conversation with them and Ken's mother, Lois who lives with them.
We left Charlotte around 10:00. There was a lot of rain so we took our time. We were planning to go to Murphey NC, but had a lot of trouble getting out of Asheville. Do we trust the GPS, the map, or the Internet printout????? Nothing was making sense and we were getting quite frustrated. The sun finally came out around 4:30 and it was amazing to see the wispy fog/clouds hugging the mountains as the sun set. I wanted to take a picture, but there were so many high line wires, I didn’t think it would be as impressive if you had to look between the lines.
When we decided to find a Wal-Mart to spend the night, the GPS insisted on taking us to one we couldn’t see--backtracking about 10 miles. Finally we pulled into the mall the GPS wanted us to get in to and saw an abandoned building (Wal-Mart has moved.) A police officer was parked in the almost empty lot. He told us where to find another one but we asked if we could just stay there and he said, “Sure.” so we did. It was warmer and no rain at that time, but the wind and rain picked up later. I believe we’ve experienced this before!
December 3
The trip from North Carolina to Tennesee was a combination of interesting interruptions. Two different highways were closed due to rock slides. We did get to Murphey and found our way to Fields of the Woods. This is a place where the world’s largest Ten Commandments are displayed, at least that’s what they claim. They are displayed on a big hill. There are also a lot of Bible verses displayed around the area, and a hill with many rocks engraved with descriptions of various attributes. There is a replica of the tomb and a hill with 3 crosses on it. We had hot chocolate at the gift store/restaurant. It was quite interesting and free, but we wouldn’t recommend going out of the way to see it.
From there on we got on a road we thought would take us easily towards TN, but ran into a road block due to a truck going off the road. We waited awhile in a gas station, then were told it was cleared up and we could go around and get ahead of the line of trucks waiting. It was smooth sailing, or driving, from there. We got to Ken & Joy McGarvey’s home (with some cell phone directions) around 4:30 and had a great dinner and conversation with them and Ken's mother, Lois who lives with them.
December 4
Ken took us on a tour the next day--we saw 3 silos in a lake, Ken’s favorite driveway, and the break wall to extend the dam in case of excessive flooding, as well as the general area in which they live.
Ken took us on a tour the next day--we saw 3 silos in a lake, Ken’s favorite driveway, and the break wall to extend the dam in case of excessive flooding, as well as the general area in which they live.
December 5
This morning we woke up to a beautiful layer of snow! We felt right at home! Since one is supposed to make lemonade when life gives you lemons, I decided to make a snowman since life was giving us snow. He was only 2 ft. tall but kinda cute. He ended up bowing over but lasted until we left, long after all the rest of the snow melted.
Joy, Lois and I went to a ladies tea in the afternoon. It was very nice. All the guys served us, even Ken, but Bruce stayed home with Ari.
This morning we woke up to a beautiful layer of snow! We felt right at home! Since one is supposed to make lemonade when life gives you lemons, I decided to make a snowman since life was giving us snow. He was only 2 ft. tall but kinda cute. He ended up bowing over but lasted until we left, long after all the rest of the snow melted.
Joy, Lois and I went to a ladies tea in the afternoon. It was very nice. All the guys served us, even Ken, but Bruce stayed home with Ari.
In the evening we all went to a beautiful Christmas light display with synchronized music. Truly Awesome! The music was not secular at all. It had some traditional, some modern Christmas songs, including the Hallelujah chorus. Magnificent!
December 6
We went to church with the McGarveys. Ken and Joy sang in the choir and Bruce played his clarinet in the little orchestra! They have a bell choir--two people played 4 bells for the prelude. I sat with Ken's mother, Lois. It's a very friendly church and we heard a great sermon.
In the afternoon we went to the Messiah. Ken and Joy sang in it and it was excellent. We took a tour of the area and saw Whitestone--a retreat center for missionaries and ministers.
December 6
We went to church with the McGarveys. Ken and Joy sang in the choir and Bruce played his clarinet in the little orchestra! They have a bell choir--two people played 4 bells for the prelude. I sat with Ken's mother, Lois. It's a very friendly church and we heard a great sermon.
In the afternoon we went to the Messiah. Ken and Joy sang in it and it was excellent. We took a tour of the area and saw Whitestone--a retreat center for missionaries and ministers.
