Charlotte NC - Knoxville TN

Day 1

I left my home around 10:00 am  on April 18th, and I knew this first leg would take me at least 5 hours. I had to climb up the Smokey Mountains to get to Knoxville... there was much construction on the road. 

My car was packed with a bag of clothes, a painting for Hans and family, a pajama I bought for Sasha that was too small hoping to return it in Indiana, snacks and water for the journey. 

I had made hotel reservation at the Hampton Inn Knoxville-East and checked in electronically before I left. This process allowed me to arrive, go to the reception desk, give my name and automatically receive my room key. 

I-85 South

Printed Mapquest directions

Rest Area

My stuff I needed for the road

There was beautiful sunshine and wonderful scenery, especially after I passed Asheville. I took my time driving up the Smokeys letting faster traffic aways pass me.
I was not using the printed directions, but my iPhone's GPS, which never failed me during the whole trip.




Once I arrived at the Hampton Inn, I put on my bathing suit and went to the indoor pool. I was all alone there and  enjoyed the water immensely
As I had told Andrea before I left on this journey, I was "listening" to my body and enjoying the fact that my new knee was reacting so well... I think that was the most important challenge for me after so many month of pain...
Since I had brought food from home for the first day, I dined in my room, got into the luxurious bed with fresh white linens, turned on the news and set the alarm for 8:00am (there was no rush to get up earlier)...