Cold weather, a fire in the fireplace, and January 2014 flying
by all prompted a recent discussion about travel plans for 2014. The discussion
quickly veered toward the Smoky Mountains and good memories.
Our most recent trip in fall of 2013 included a visit to
the Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Every few years a new fad
makes the scene among Gatlinburg tourist attractions. We have seen arcades,
various renditions of miniature golf, laser tag and zipline operations come and
go.
A younger generation of mountain
musicmakers
The promise of bluegrass music prompted our visit to the
Moonshine Holler. My new life as a stroke survivor often supplies me with extra
excitement on our travels, and the moonshine distillery was one of those times.
When we walked into the “holler” that evening, extremely happy patrons packed the seating and walkways The constant movement and noise created immediate sensory overload.
When we walked into the “holler” that evening, extremely happy patrons packed the seating and walkways The constant movement and noise created immediate sensory overload.
I don’t always do crowds well. Limited space for my wacky arm
and leg movements and the effect of unintentional bumps and scrapes that come
in a crowd heightened my anxiety about staying upright.
Every bench and rocking chair was filled, but Hubby found an
unoccupied hay bale and helped me get seated. My stress level eased, and off he
went to check out the moonshine tasting and to take pictures. But it didn’t
take long before a strong alcoholic odor was singeing the inside of my nose.
Whoo!
Fermenting mash was right behind the half wall that propped up me
and my hay bale. But I wasn’t about to brave the crowd to change locations, and there was no empty
spot available for me to move to anyway.
I wondered if those moonshine fumes would eliminate the final shreds of balance I had left. At least I was seated. That made me close to the floor, a shorter distance to fall if I keeled over.
I wondered if those moonshine fumes would eliminate the final shreds of balance I had left. At least I was seated. That made me close to the floor, a shorter distance to fall if I keeled over.
Down-home seating
Hubby eventually came to collect me for the bluegrass band’s
next set. He found empty rocking chairs and defended them valiantly until I
could take a seat.
The rest of the evening erased earlier uncomfortable moments. An unexpected treat was a conversation with a young physician’s assistant in
practice with a geriatric doctor. She recognized that I was a stroke survivor and wanted to know about my progress. There was also a geriatric clogger who danced practically
nonstop and made me ponder whether I could include clogging in my at-home
physical rehab agenda.
This clogger’s arms and legs were just
a blur as he danced to a fast tempo.
He was definitely an elder on the move.
The band’s bluegrass plus their smattering of traditional
country were definitely worth waiting for, even though my waiting had been in a
“moonshine smell zone.”
I love bluegrass! Moonshine? Not so much. Glad you were able to finally get a good seat and enjoy the show :)
ReplyDeleteI do love bluegrass. Fun times.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can't stand the odor of alcohol, especially beer and whiskey. Champagne is odorless so I drink it only on special occasions.
ReplyDeleteYou will be happy to know that at least two of your grandchildren can readily identify bluegrass music, as it is about the only thing "safe" for them to listen to while they are in my truck.
ReplyDeleteOh, I do so understand. I'm heading out on the April cruise with a cane, just in case. Most of the time I wobble along just fine. Yes, love blue grass and toe tapping anything.
ReplyDeleteThat clogging is wonderful and hard on your calf muscles too. Fun times for all, however.
ReplyDeleteReal moonshine huh? I am impressed with that senior clogger. That is really vigorous exercise.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a delightful trip and I'm glad you were able to get some decent seats so your stress level decreased.
ReplyDeleteIs California in your 2014 plans?
We would so love to meet you and have a Black Bear Diner meal together. Our home is always open too.
Just a thought.
Sue
What a wonderful description - I feel as if I was there with you. . . . right down to smelling the mash, hearing the music and feeling the floor bump up and down. You do such great things. Blessings from Dalamory. www.freda.org.uk
ReplyDelete