Hey folks, look down. Yeah down under your wheels cause
this is your Parkway talking. You know, that six-lane ribbon of concrete
that begins in Sevierville, Tennessee and runs to the “Spur” that
will take you into Gatlinburg or to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I
know you don’t usually hear from guys like me but I thought you might like to
hear a different perspective on the tourism traffic that comes into east
Tennessee. Well like it or not, here it comes.
attitude. After all people use me, abuse me sometimes, and really don’t give me
much consideration at all, but that’s okay as it’s part of my job.
You see my job
is to get you and your family safely to your destination and back on the road
again, and I am pretty good at my job and I enjoy it. That’s me under all those
cars!
I get to meet tires from all over the United States. I
believe I have met multi-plies from every state in the Union. They bring people
into the Smoky Mountains for one reason – fun, and I’m part of it. Not only do
I get to feel the warm hum of my round, rubber friends, but I can hear the
laughter, excitement and eager conversation of the families in the cars as they
look forward and enjoy their visit to my towns. They are talking about my
neighbors, the attractions, restaurants, hotels, gift shops, candy stores,
shopping malls and other businesses that are lined-up on both sides
of me. And they are admiring the beauty of my pal, the Great Smoky Mountains.
Man, they are awesome, and they are natural. Me, I’m man-made and proud of it,
but talk about the original green, that’s may pal the Smokies!
restored cars that come into town with the “Rod Runs” throughout the
year, like Shades of the Past, the Pigeon Forge Fall Rod Run, Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge, All Chevy Supernationals and the Corvette Expo.
steel in those dudes, and they have a smooth,
cruisin’ ride because of me!
different feelings: horses hooves, funny little tires on clown cars or
Shriner’s vehicles, and the tickle of hundreds of toes in a marching band
when they close part of me for a parade. Cloggers are my favorite because when
they start dancing it is the best massage this old hard-shell can
get. I have seen Dolly, Elwood Smooch, The Smith Brothers, The Hatfield’s
& McCoy’s and even real Lumberjacks! And what a thrill it is to have
all of you visitors lined-up along my edges clapping, laughing, whistling and
having a good time. I can really get a good look at you then and I think I’ve even recognized some of you from your
voices or your laughs.
– getting couples, friends and families in, out and around Pigeon Forge,
Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Kodak. I’m a solid piece of work that provides a smooth, cruisin’ ride; real concrete that doesn’t crack under the
weight of thousands of autos that travel me day in and day out, year after
year. I’m here to serve you in the hot sun of summer, the cool dampness during
the rain, or the snowy days of winter. And my buddies from the highway and
transportation departments of the cities take good care of me, keeping me
clean, well-groomed, and snow-free when we have those occasional snowstorms.
at a light or pulled into your destination. Give me a nod or a wave just to let
me know that you know I’m doing my job. I would appreciate it. Oh, and by
the way, if you could keep from throwing out your cigarette butt,
trash or gum on me, there are a lot of us who would appreciate that too. Enjoy
your visit and drive safely!