A Time of Rediscovery

We were planning on going camping this weekend, but it looks like rain is going to get in our way. I was really looking forward to the trip. I have been in a realm of self-discovery or rediscovery of things that I am interested in and kind-of lost the time for. I am realizing how much I do like the Appalachian region, at least the geographic region, and the true appalachian culture (not the redneck culture that has somehow taken control over the area). Truth is, this area is great, it's the people that suck. Not all of the people, but most.

I have realized that I am in a mid-life change; let's face it, 31-36 is the true mid-life. I have found that Bluegrass appeals to me more, that family time outdoors is more important than watching T.V. with a pizza on Friday night, and that my there are many, many places in which I would like to see before saying goodbye.

I really think that the trip Heather and I took to the Smokies was the spark that started my current thought process. I should restate this by saying our two concurrent trips to Tennessee, the first of which was spent in the car enjoying the view of Kentucky on down to Lake City, TN. On that first trip, we stopped at the Kentucky Art and Craft Center in Berea. While there, I purchased a Grandpa Jones CD and forced Heather to listen to it for the remainder of the trip.

On the trip in which we actually made it to and stayed in Gatlinburg, I further found myself enjoying the atmosphere of the Appalachian region. I thought about this alot, wondering what caused me to be so blind to all this beauty. You wanna know? Rednecks! Yep, that is what did it, the source of my inability to view this region properly. Now that I have moved past, and lessen my dealings with that particular type of person, I have a new appreciation for Appalachia.

I find now that I want to spend more time exploring this region, taking in the sites, and experiencing the "hillbilly" culture. More and more, I am developing the opinion that I just might be a "Hi-Tech Hillbilly" myself, and that is just fine by me. I like that part of our culture, and I want to embrace it, learn from it, and take from it the parts which make us good.