Day 4: Inspiration and Luxury

Rhythm&RaeRay awoke with a wonder of what the next two days might bring. They planned to join Ray’s niece Deidra for morning worship at her church, known simply as 2/42. They had feasted each morning on fried eggs, muffins, crullers and fruit. Little Rhythm was learning to eat whatever his mom and granddad did, with the addition of a few jars of blended meats and vegetables. After a good night’s sleep, the trio was able to eat and get ready for a 10 a.m. church service. The service was in a small strip mall on the outskirts of Conover. Smiling faces were there to greet Rhythm&RaeRay, including Deidra’s. Rae mused that most of the faces worshipping there were bright, smiling islanders that resembled the aloha spirit of her many friends made over the last three years living in Hawaii. It was a reception she never expected to find in the foothills of North Carolina. Rhythm&RaeRay were welcomed just the same, and the day’s lesson from the Gospel of John was inspiring. Lead pastor Miles Yang and the worship leader both commented on Alabama football after hearing Rhythm&RaeRay’s story. After lunch again at Aunt Jane’s, it was time for Rhythm&RaeRay to continue their journey. They intended to catch up with a friend in Asheville and meet her new hedgehog, Doylee. They weren’t sure where they might end up as darkness fell on the mountains. The drive to Asheville gave them a chance to explore the internet and see what loomed ahead. Alas, among the least expensive rooms along the way was Harrah’s Casino Resort in Cherokee. They booked a room for $110, and knowing their destination gave them a chance to relax as they traveled. They found their friend Johnna at a home converted into four apartments in a cozy West Asheville neighborhood. It was just around the corner from a building with one wall depicting The Grateful Dead. She had been celebrating her birthday all weekend, so Rhythm&RaeRay only visited about an hour before again heading out. The trail from Maggie Valley to Cherokee was a snake that never ended. In one of the wooded curves, cars began flashing lights and traffic stalled to a snail’s pace. A giant creature with the rear end of a mule and the face of a llama meandered back and forth through the traffic. Rae opened the sunroof to snap a few pictures as they inched past. It was obviously a young elk. After the animals became almost extinct in the area during the 1800s, the National Park Service reintroduced them to the Smokies in 2001. This one seemed to be right at home along U.S. Highway 19. Less than an hour later, Rhythm&RaeRay were attempting to settle into their room at Harrah’s. The first desk clerk couldn’t find their reservation, and after a while they diverted the trio to the resort’s Cherokee Tower, still on the property, but a few blocks away. They found their car on Level 4 and repacked for a new challenge. The move was not as difficult as they had expected, and Rhythm&RaeRay settled into the lap of luxury on the fourth floor. They left Room 410 to get dinner at a bowling alley next to the casino. They could take the elevator one floor down to an indoor walkway that led completely through the resort. There were restaurants, shops, spas and, of course, any type of gambling you might want. After dinner, Ray walked back to the casino to donate $28 to the Cherokee nation’s slot machines. Rhythm&Rae were asleep when he arrived back in the room.