Jack Tarlin
04-27-2010, 15:58
Greeting from scenic Gat Vegas!!
Here in town after getting rained out of the National Park and damn near killed by lightning. Rocky Top is an unfortunate place to be in an electrical storm. All's well here in a favorite Trail town and not a whole lot has changed since my last visit. Was looking for the banner across the main drag that says "Welcome to America's Premiere Cathouse City!!" but I must have missed it somehow. Did however enjoy walking past the Elvis-esque wedding chapel; 22 places that sold big knives and ninja outfits; the Wax Museum; Ripley's Believe it or Not!!; disgusting fudge emporia beyond count; at least three shops devoted to the lifework of the utterly vomitous Thomas Kincade ("Painter of light!!"); lots of fine velvet art, mostly wolves and faux native Americana scenery; and of course, last but not least, 400,000 of the ugliest T-shirts this side of a political Convention. Came damned close to getting one that depicted an extraordinarily lifelike and gory crucifixion with the catchy phrase "Body Piercing Saved My Life!!" but I somehow managed to resist and saved the $22.95 for something more useful, such as one of the finer potable products available in Clermont, Kentucky. (And very over-priced I might add, this sure ain't Nw Hampshire!) Oh, I also noted that the local Civic Center is presently and proudly hosting the 39th Annual (Count 'em!!) Solid and Hazardous Waste Conference, which seems somehow appropriate for Gat if you think about it. May have to go back downtown later and take a picture of the sign advertising this fascinating family event.
But seriously.....
All's actually OK here. Very friendly people, lots to see and do, and of course, countless places to eat. The new NOC Outpost is very handsome indeed, is somewhat larger than Rhode Island, and has a wonderful staff; sorry to see the probable end of the Happy Hiker but I'm glad there's a nearby replacement.
Most hikers still stay at the Grand Prix (extremely friendly staff this year by the way).
Also recommend the Smoky Mt. brew-pub; good food and drink and countless televisions, may go back to catch the Sox at dinnertime.
Other news: Re-Supply not great in town unless you take the shuttle bus to the supermarket; Public Library has also re-located well out of downtown. There's a great big Wahlgren's tho, which is actually a pretty reasonable place to get some supplies, snacks, healthcare stuff, etc.
Lastly, the NOC has a sign-up list for a free, yes FREE shuttle back and forth to Newfound Gap which a great help to those who don't care to hitch-hike.
All for now, someone wants this machine. Heading back to the high country tomorrow in hopefully improved weather and looking forward to finishing the Park......after all, the only thing better than arriving at GSMNP is leaving it behind.
Here in town after getting rained out of the National Park and damn near killed by lightning. Rocky Top is an unfortunate place to be in an electrical storm. All's well here in a favorite Trail town and not a whole lot has changed since my last visit. Was looking for the banner across the main drag that says "Welcome to America's Premiere Cathouse City!!" but I must have missed it somehow. Did however enjoy walking past the Elvis-esque wedding chapel; 22 places that sold big knives and ninja outfits; the Wax Museum; Ripley's Believe it or Not!!; disgusting fudge emporia beyond count; at least three shops devoted to the lifework of the utterly vomitous Thomas Kincade ("Painter of light!!"); lots of fine velvet art, mostly wolves and faux native Americana scenery; and of course, last but not least, 400,000 of the ugliest T-shirts this side of a political Convention. Came damned close to getting one that depicted an extraordinarily lifelike and gory crucifixion with the catchy phrase "Body Piercing Saved My Life!!" but I somehow managed to resist and saved the $22.95 for something more useful, such as one of the finer potable products available in Clermont, Kentucky. (And very over-priced I might add, this sure ain't Nw Hampshire!) Oh, I also noted that the local Civic Center is presently and proudly hosting the 39th Annual (Count 'em!!) Solid and Hazardous Waste Conference, which seems somehow appropriate for Gat if you think about it. May have to go back downtown later and take a picture of the sign advertising this fascinating family event.
But seriously.....
All's actually OK here. Very friendly people, lots to see and do, and of course, countless places to eat. The new NOC Outpost is very handsome indeed, is somewhat larger than Rhode Island, and has a wonderful staff; sorry to see the probable end of the Happy Hiker but I'm glad there's a nearby replacement.
Most hikers still stay at the Grand Prix (extremely friendly staff this year by the way).
Also recommend the Smoky Mt. brew-pub; good food and drink and countless televisions, may go back to catch the Sox at dinnertime.
Other news: Re-Supply not great in town unless you take the shuttle bus to the supermarket; Public Library has also re-located well out of downtown. There's a great big Wahlgren's tho, which is actually a pretty reasonable place to get some supplies, snacks, healthcare stuff, etc.
Lastly, the NOC has a sign-up list for a free, yes FREE shuttle back and forth to Newfound Gap which a great help to those who don't care to hitch-hike.
All for now, someone wants this machine. Heading back to the high country tomorrow in hopefully improved weather and looking forward to finishing the Park......after all, the only thing better than arriving at GSMNP is leaving it behind.