Beech Tree News Network

Last December, a Smokey Mountain wildfire left devastation in its wake. One article summarized: “…A fire in Great Smoky Mountain National Park spread …, killing 14 people, destroying more than 2,000 homes and businesses and forcing the evacuation of as many as 14,000 visitors and residents. Damages from the blaze are expected to top $800 million” (http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/02/whats_happened_to_the_2_juveni....). I visited the region last week, and although damage is visible, residents are repairing and moving forward.

Last week in the Smokey Mountain region, burned areas were still evident; but, nature’s greenery has camouflaged most areas that experienced less damage. Luckily, the fire didn’t destroy everything. In some places, the undergrowth was burned, but the trees have produced healthy green leaves. Yet, badly burned areas are also obvious on the mountains. Some of the mountain tops are bald, and burn strips crisscross the mountains with no greenery visible. I don’t know the plan for repairing the damage to those badly burned areas, but it will require years. 

Construction sites are everywhere. Workers were busy repairing or rebuilding in Pigeon Forge and in Gatlinburg – and likely in the surrounding area. Construction was so common that I wondered how so many construction laborers had been found. Several businesses were closed. But in the midst of the construction, others operated normally.

Business seemed to be good and gearing up for the warm-weather season. Lucky for me, I didn’t have to wait in lines at restaurants, and the traffic was less dense than Bowling Green traffic. My favorite business was open – Pigeon River Pottery (175 Old Mill Avenue, Pigeon Forge) near the Old Mill Restaurant. I like to see the colored glazes they’ve used on the different pieces and what’s new. I came home with another piece of pottery (– and no guilt). If you like pottery, theirs is beautiful and useful. Of course, the shops at Tanger Outlets in Sevierville were busy. During my visit, the weather was great, and parking was easy to find. So my Smokey Mountain visit was nice.

On the last evening in a restaurant, I noticed the back of a t-shirt that said, “SVFD Smokey Strong.” I believe that phrase sums up the attitude and the activity I witnessed. Nicholas Sparks said, “Just when you think it can't get any worse, it can. And just when you think it can't get any better, it can” (http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/life?page=2).