By Kris Sicard

Saturday, Aug 23.  Nine cars and eighteen members of our Catawba British Motor Club traveled to Gatlinburg for an overnighter.  Leaving Sat. morning, top down and really not to hot we arrived at the Sidney James Mountain Lodge - within walking distance of downtown Gatlinburg.  Our reserved rooms and parking spaces were waiting for us. After unpacking and washing up, we had lunch at the motel then walked into downtown Gatlinburg for some lady shopping and some people watching.  By then, it was beginning to get pretty warm (like hot).

After a couple of hours spent strolling the streets and seeing all the crazies we cooled down back at the Lodge.  Then we boarded the Trolley to take us to Calhoun's Steak House for the evening meal (hey, it was already 7 P.M.).  The meal was great, the conversation flowed freely and all in all we had a nice evening. UNTIL, we tried to board the evening TROLLEY to take us back to our pillows.  They advertise a trolley every 20 minutes - but don't you believe it. We stood at the trolley stop in downtown Gatlinburg where by now; the streets were almost deserted, for 1 hour and 10 minutes (but who’s counting).  I've been to Gatlinburg many times, and I’ve never seen the streets so empty.  When the Trolley finally got to us it was 10:30 pm, or later.  The bed sure was a welcome site.

Sunday arrived bright (and early too) and after a nice breakfast buffet that the Lodge had set for us, it was on to Parrot Mountain.  The sun was out in all her glory and it was getting warm fast, but Parrot Mountain was just the place to be.  There were beautifully landscaped grounds and plenty of shade to go along with many exotic birds, Some were in restrained area's but so many more were loose, in trees, or perch's all along the pathways giving us the illusion of walking through some Tropical Gardens.  It was well worth the day (3 hours) we spent there.  Then it was time to start thinking about heading home.  So, let’s eat again, and we did.  A 50's diner on the strip in Pigeon Forge suited all. Then home here we come.
 
Hey, nine cars, eighteen folks, no major problems, pretty darn good weather, and a whole lotta laughs.  Isn't life good?