Back to the Smokies By James E. Boyd The Smokey Mountains of Western North Carolina have been an old stomping ground for B. J. and me since our son Richard was three years old. Therefore, we cannot go too long without spending some quality time among those enchanting hills. The time had come again. We had been planning and looking forward to it. We loaded Little Red’s saddlebags, reined her across the Causeway from St. Simons to the mainland, and headed her north toward Sapphire Valley, NC; it is one of our favorite places in the mountains. Our condo, nestled snuggly in the hills was ready and waiting; all we had to do was drop by the office and pick up the keys. We have traveled to the Smokey Mountains by every conceivable route but our favorite trail (maybe not the shortest or the quickest) is Georgia Highway 17. We took this well-trodden path the first time we came to the mountains together; it is a sentimental journey. Exiting U. S. 1 in Wrens, Ga., we access Highway 17. This highway is indeed the most scenic and one that brings back fond memories; a trip along nostalgia lane. Highway 17 runs through old towns, past antebellum homes and gorgeous farms. Although there are bypasses around some of the old towns, we prefer going through the middle to observe and enjoy the charming architecture that has been preserved. Highway 17 conjoins with U. S. 441 a few miles south of Clayton, Ga. When we reached the junction of Highways 17 and 441, I bridled Little Red north. With the Smokey Mountains looming larger before us, we tingled with excitement. The lovable Georgia mountain cities of Clayton, Mountain City and Dillard are fun places. B. J. and I have spent a lot of enjoyable time in these communities across the years. The real drawing card in Dillard is the world famous Dillard House Restaurant and Inn. B. J. and I take advantage of every opportunity to dine at the Dillard House. We arrived at the Dillard House around 1:30pm. We were tired and hungry after over six hours on the road. The Dillard House with mountain flair is big, comfortable and inviting. In short order, we were greeted and escorted to our favorite table beside a huge window with a mountain view. The winsome blue-eyed server glided gracefully ahead and politely seated us. Soon, our server brought bountiful dishes of various vegetables, fried chicken, chicken fried steak, country ham, biscuits and corn muffins. There was an assortment of relishes and dressings and butter and jams and jellies. Apple Betty was the dessert. There was far more food than we could eat at one sitting. We would box what we couldn‘t eat and stash it in our condo for future reference. It was Little Red’s first trip to the mountains. The road between Dillard and Sapphire Valley is a sho nuff mountain road. Little Red would have an opportunity to show her stuff. A precarious winding and twisting road is the order. If you should run off the road, it is a long rocky tumble to the bottom. However, roadside pullovers along the way afford spectacular views of the Smokies. Little Red pranced up the mountain in show-horse fashion. We thought of Big Red pouting in his stall back on St. Simons. Driving through Highlands and Cashiers, we stopped at the Sapphire Management Company to pick up our keys and packet of materials that would guide us to places and things to do in the area. We also got directions to our condo huddled on the Sapphire National Golf Club in Fairway National Forest--a magnificent place. We arrived at our home for the week and loaded our stuff in the comely condo; it is a lovely two-story edifice replete with upstairs and downstairs balconies with tables and chairs. The two-bedroom suite has a roomy living and dining area, a state-of-the-art kitchen and an attractive fireplace. Our fun friends and long time traveling companions, Rita Williams and Nelda Padgett would be joining us soon. We had to go grocery shopping. We had a fun agenda planned and the week was getting off to a good start.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 10:48:28 +0000
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