Tidbits from our TN trip

Despite that car issues, we had a great time on our trip and I loved being back in the mountains, of course. I grew up in Knoxville, so I have spent much time in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge in the past. It is amazingly more commercial now - "the Myrtle Beach of the Mountains". Nothing like seeing a Wings store in the mountains.

And, we encountered quite a slice of Americana, Southern style. I actually saw a grown woman walking around downtown with a cat tail coming out of her pants. Very Classy. All I could think was where can I get one of those for me. Ha! And who knew that rat-tails and matching air brushed t-shirts are back in style? (actually, were these ever considered 'in style'??)

From Gatlinburg, we went to my parent's house in Knoxville for a couple of days. We enjoyed a big cookout with lots of extended family to celebrate my parents' birthdays (happy birthday, Mom & Dad!).

We also went to church with my parents last Sunday. It is very rare for us to miss at The Bridge, and it feels very odd to attend elsewhere. My parents church is very different - it's huge (over 6,000 people), it has a choir, and just a different feel in many ways. Not bad, just different. Mike and I are always amused to see how others "do church". I was struck with how the preacher had "preacher voice"... you know, when they say the word Jesus and it is so stressed that it comes out "GEEEE-SUUUUSSSSS". I teased my husband on how I'd never hear him talk like that.