In May, we returned to Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina for Ashley's graduation. Unfortunately, due to severe weather conditions, the graduation ceremony was moved into Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium and visitor seating was limited to four tickets per graduate. As it turned out, the rain and hail was so bad that many people did not show up, so all those that did show up were allowed into the auditorium.
Ashley wanted to take her car back to California, but her parents did not want her to drive 2,500 miles by herself in a car that had over 100,000 miles; thus, grandpa decided to ride with her and have a RonnieAdventure along the way.
We left early in the morning and by the time we reached Ashville, the fog was just lifting over the Great Smoky Mountains.
First stop was Lake Junaluska, which is located in the northwest part of North Carolina near Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The lake was named after the famous Cherokee Indian leader, Chief Junaluska.
Driving into town, a one-lane road went across the Lake's dam dike and then curved around into the central business area. There was an unmanned security checkpoint on the west side of the dam dike.
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| Picture by Ashley |
There are only about 3,200 people that live in the small town of Lake Junaluska, but this is the site of the World Methodist Council Headquarters. The Council was founded in 1881 as "a consultative body and association of churches in the Methodist tradition. It comprises 80 member denominations in 138 countries, which together represent the majority of Methodists worldwide....its members make up the eighth largest Christian communion in the world." The Council has erected a large lighted cross overlooking the Lake.
Located on the shore of Lake Junaluska is a Methodist church that was not open to the public on the day we visited the site. However, a monument in front of the church stated: "Bishop Francis Asbury 1745-1816. Considered 'The Father of American Methodism' arrived in America 1771. Calm in temperament, courageous, and untiring in effort. This 'Prophet of the Long Road' was foremost among early American circuit riders and colonists."
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| Picture by Ashley |
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| Picture by Ashley |
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| Picture by Ashley |
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| Picture by Ashley |
Located in front of the George R. Stuart Auditorium (which is owned by the Council) is a statue of Cherokee Chief Junaluska. Chief Junaluska fought alongside of Andrew Jackson in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend during the War of 1812, and during the battle he saved Jackson's life. Reportedly, he later regretted saving Jackson's life because Jackson removed from him from his lands, along with the Cherokee Indians, on the Trail of Tears. However, he returned to North Carolina in the late 1840s and was granted citizenship and some land near present-day Robbinsville.
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| Picture by Ashley |
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| Picture by Ashley |
We followed a different road on the way out of town and drove by the dam's spillway, which was a beautiful site because water was running from the dam down the spillway.
On the Road Again we passed through a tunnel and then into Tennessee.
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| Picture by Ashley |
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| Picture by Ashley |
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| Picture by Ashley |
Entering Newport (population 6,868) we drove past the old railroad depot and then stopped by the Cocke County Courthouse. There were several monuments on the courthouse grounds, and even a nice patriot bench to relax on. Surrounding the courthouse were a number of old rock-constructed buildings that were still in use.
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| Picture by Ashley |
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| Picture by Ashley |
Dandridge (population 3,341) is the second oldest town in Tennessee and is know as "the town that was saved by a dike."
In 1942, The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) proposed constructing the Douglas Dam that would have flooded Dandridge. However, the town residents successfully petitioned First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt for help, explaining that Dandridge was the only town in the United States named for Martha (Dandridge) Washington, the wife of George Washington. With the help of Eleanor Roosevelt, the TVA agreed to build a dike along the river to save Dandridge.
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| Picture by Ashley |
The community of Kodak (unincorporated) is included in Sevierville's (population 17,889) urban growth boundary and will be annexed into the City of Sevierville at some future date.
In 1892, local residents learned of a new company called Eastman Kodak that was founded by George Eastman. The residents liked the name "Kodak," so they asked Mr. Eastman if they could use his name for their town. He agreed and the town became known as "Kodak." Today, Kodak is mostly residential housing with a few commercial buildings at the intersection of Highway 139 and Kodak Road.
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| Picture by Ashley |
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| Picture by Ashley |
Located along Interstate 40 we found the Sevierville Buc-ee's, which was a great travel stop. Their Chopped Brisket Sandwich is some of the best BBQ that I have ever tasted.
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| Picture by Ashley |
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