pay no tolls

everyone was up before or at least at sunrise...it was good to help carol close the house down. she usually does it herself :( we decided to take the low road home and check out 74 across southern NC into ashville and the smokey mountains. spring is beautiful in the mountains. everything is very green and fresh. this is how pat and rex came to the beach. the highlight was Smokey Mountain Knife Works east of knoxville, TN. pat and rex stopped on the way down. knives are weapons. no one under 18 is allowed to hold or purchase a knife. the parent has to hand the knife to the child - the sales clerk will not. i got 2 swiss kitchen knives, jared got a set of 3 "throwing" knives (no comment, i think this will be a new cadet badge), jimmy got something big and the girls got pink pocket knives. james enjoyed the store but was happy we didn't have to shop more than 20 mins. it is a HUGE store and you really won't believe it until you see it. the lower level is a woman's dream---kitchen and homeware. we drove another 1/2 hour and finally stopped for mexican. a "must stop" for florida travelers off 75. 3 AMIGOS, powell, TN. awesome and fresh and kids eat free. quote for today: clare says very quiet, not to offend the kind mexican waiter, "we only eat in mexican restaurants on vacation...and i'm sick of it!" if she is sick of it then we will quit - she's my best eater. last i heard from rex they were traveling way back mountains roads in KY with little hope of a clean and comfy holiday inn express. pat was feeling nostalgic of childhood family road trips. i reminded her she can move the bed in front of the door if the locals are questionable!!??