[0:09] Speaker A (Tom): Welcome to for the Love of Gatlinburg, the podcast where we celebrate the charm, the history and the vibrant community of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I'm your host, Tom Goodwin, and I hope you'll join me each week as I bring you stories that connect the past with the present as we explore the people that make Gatlinburg a beloved destination and where every story is a piece of our mountain heritage. Well, we have a great interview set up for you today. Kay Cox King is a 17th generation Gatlinburg native. She has an incredible story and I'm fortunate that she has worked with Mountain Laurel Chalets for the last 35 years. So sit back and enjoy this podcast as we dive into the heart of Gatlinburg together. Well, today I'm excited to introduce you to a longtime friend and an employee, Kay Cox King. And I've known you, Kay, for 33 years or maybe more. But your relationship with my family, with Susan's family, goes way back beyond that. And your relationship with Gatlinburg goes way before that as well. So, Kay, welcome to the podcast. [1:17] Speaker B (Kay): Well, thank you. Happy to be here. [1:18] Speaker A: Great. [1:19] Speaker B: Good to see you. [1:20] Speaker A: Good to see you as well. So tell me about your. You were born and raised in Gatlinburg. [1:25] Speaker B: I was. [1:26] Speaker A: And you went away to college at Maryville College. But you've lived in Gatlinburg your entire life. [1:30] Speaker B: That's right. [1:31] Speaker A: And you're very young life. But I have known you for over half your life, which is great. And you are one of our employees. You have worked at Mount Laurel Chalets for 35 years. 35 years. [1:45] Speaker B: I was 10 when I started. [1:49] Speaker A: They probably would have hired you when you were 10. So with all the work that needs to be done. So tell us just a little bit more about what you do at Mount Laurel, what you have done, and a little bit of that journey, and then we'll talk a little bit more about your family in Gatlinburg. [2:03] Speaker B: Okay. Well, I, when I graduated college, I went to work for the city of Gatlinburg. Actually worked at the Chamber of Commerce for three years doing everything from secretarial work to parades to. I was on TV once in New York promoting Gatlinburg. So that really kick started me into the hospitality industry, which I grew up in. I mean, I lived in a motel a block off of the parkway. So it was a real natural transition for me into cabin management. Ms. Eglie was my. My boss and also my kindergarten teacher growing up. [2:39] Speaker A: Just about everyone's kindergarten teacher. Yes. [2:41] Speaker B: So she you know, took me right in under her wing, which was a. A blessing that I had no idea about at the time. But 35 years later, I'm here as the property manager now. So my job is to take care of the property owners. Anything they cabin needs, anything they need, I'm their girl. And it. And I love it. [3:04] Speaker A: That is great. As you think about funny things that you've experienced at work that you could share publicly. Well, you found yourself in some unusual. [3:15] Speaker B: Circumstances that most of them revolve around bears. Yeah, I've had quite a few experiences with bears. Getting in my car, coming around corners, running into them. Just last week, I was in the car, but saw a bear next to a trash can. And she was looking at me and I was looking at her, and then she decided she didn't want me looking at me anymore. So she was. She jumped up on a tree like she was grabbing onto a pole and huffed at me. So that will get your adrenaline going, keep your distance. Yeah, yeah. And I've. I've gotten to know so many of our guests over the years and the. The owners, and they've really just become my family. And Mountain Laurel is my family, my second. So, you know, just. There's no other place I'd rather be in the Smoky Mountains or at Mountain Laurel. [4:04] Speaker A: That's. That is so great. I know our first core values that we believe that family matters. And our tagline slogan is Mountain Laurel Chalet, where your family is our company. And I so often remember Dot having company over to the house and they would leave feeling like they're family. So we took that spirit and that heart and we've tried to implement it within our company. And you're a big part of that because our owners are a part of the Mount Laurel Chalet family as well as owners come and go. A lot of them, a lot have stayed for a long time. [4:43] Speaker B: They have. [4:44] Speaker A: I don't know if we have any that are 35 years. [4:47] Speaker B: Jackie, for us with Shoemblake comes really close. [4:50] Speaker A: Wow. [4:50] Speaker B: And she's still on the program and she just remodeled her house, so I mean, she's all in on the cabin trade. I can remember when my first child was born. Ms. Egley, she. I mean, I could literally get away with anything with her. I would pick Hannah up at daycare at 3 o'clock every day and bring her to the office. [5:10] Speaker A: That's great. [5:11] Speaker B: And they loved it. I mean, I played with her and Doc got to know her and you know, what a better feeling for an employee than for her. To embrace my whole family, not just me. [5:22] Speaker A: And when people do things to bless your children, it's a double blessing. [5:27] Speaker B: Absolutely. Means so much more. Yeah. [5:30] Speaker A: And we think of that so often with guests that come with their family. What can we do for their children and make this a great experience? Especially these days, parents really are concerned about their children having a great experience, so. Oh, yeah, it's amazing. When people are picking out cabins now they're asking their children, which one do you want to stay in? [5:48] Speaker B: Well, and you know Pam Kessie, long time guest, she has always brought her son. Her son is a grown man now, but she still makes sure he has a pool table. [5:59] Speaker A: There you go. There you go. [6:00] Speaker B: And they always come in to see us. And it's so great to see her. And she'll be here pretty soon. [6:04] Speaker A: Yeah, she just emailed. [6:06] Speaker B: Yeah. [6:06] Speaker A: And there are those types of relationships that happen inside of a business that people that are our guests become a part of the family. [6:14] Speaker B: Absolutely. [6:15] Speaker A: Which, which is a real blessing. Well, thinking of your family, you come from a long legacy of locals. Tell me, when do you know when that all started? [6:25] Speaker B: 13 generations ago. [6:27] Speaker A: Wow. We've. We've gone back seven generations with some of our guests, but. 13. [6:31] Speaker B: Yeah. My husband and I have been married for 42 years and we are actually cousins. Probably most people in the mountains are in some form or fashion, but we can both trace back to the. One of the first women in Gatlinburg. [6:49] Speaker A: So 13 generations ago. [6:50] Speaker B: Yes. [6:51] Speaker A: Okay. [6:51] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Martha Jane Husky Ogle. We're both related to her. And my great grandfather, Andy Huff opened the first hotel here, the Mountain View Hotel. And his why I was telling you this story yesterday. His wife Martha had four children. When the first PI Beta 5 women came to Gatlinburg to start schools, well, the local people were suspicious of them and they didn't trust them. And they thought they were going to bring values to Gatlinburg that they didn't want their children to learn. And so they pretty much tried to run them off. Well, they were on their way. They went to the Huff house to make a phone call. It's the only phone in Gatlinburg at the time. They made a phone call to have them picked up the next morning. And that night Andy was away at one of his logging camps. Martha had a dream. And in the dream, a big black cloud came down this stream where her four children were playing in the stream. And she woke up with a start. And she's like, that's ignorance coming down the stream. And it's going to engulf my children if I don't get them educated. And so fortunately, Andy came back in time that she told him the dream. And he set right out to the other townspeople and raised enough money that day to buy the property for the school. [8:17] Speaker A: Where it stays, where it, where it is today. [8:20] Speaker B: Y. [8:20] Speaker A: That's. That is amazing. [8:22] Speaker B: And at the same time, my other great grandmother, Hattie Ogle, was a budding entrepreneur. She was working for her dad, Charlie Ogle, at the first grocery store in downtown Gatlinburg. And she, as she grew up, as she got older, she noticed, noticed that there really wasn't enough places for our guests to stay at the Mountain View Hotel. So she just opened some cabins. And it has blossomed into the. The saying in the article, family is, you don't sell property. So she built an empire. She would go into debt, she would buy a piece of property, she would pay it off, and she just kept building, kept building. She didn't really care about what she looked like, what the clothes that she wore or her own, but her properties had to be pristine, up to date. What our guests wanted at the time. [9:17] Speaker A: And this is the early 1900s. [9:19] Speaker B: Yeah, so. [9:20] Speaker A: So vacation rentals have been a lot around for a lot longer. Yeah, they have, you may think, in this industry. [9:26] Speaker B: So it's. Hospitality is pretty much ingrained in me. There was a point in my life where I had like eight motels that were all family. And when I was growing up, we could pool hop all through Gatlinburg. And it was a kid's dream growing up, you know, in a small town where everybody knew everybody. Of course, you couldn't get away with anything because all your parents knew the other. All the kids and parents, and you got told on. But it was just an idyllic childhood and one that, you know, I was so fortunate and I'll never leave these mountains. I've tried. I. I had a thought one time to. To go to Florida. Well, who would want to live in Florida when you're living in paradise? So we never left. We'll be here until the day we die. [10:08] Speaker A: We do vacation in Florida. [10:10] Speaker B: Yeah, we like to go to the beach. [10:12] Speaker A: Always come on back here, which is great. [10:14] Speaker B: The best thing about going on vacation, I've always said, is seeing the mountains for the first time when you're on your way home and you just feel like you're home. [10:23] Speaker A: Yeah. What is it about the mystique or the mystery of the mountains or the atmosphere or the people? What is it about Gatlinburg that is so special to you? [10:35] Speaker B: Well, I don't know what it is, but there's definitely a draw. I mean, even people who are just guests here can feel it, and it brings them back year after year. It's why I've stayed here. It's why so much of my family lives here. It. There's just a magnetism. I can't explain it, but I don't ever want to leave it because I would feel like a fish out of water. [10:56] Speaker A: Not much water around here, but there's plenty of streams. [11:00] Speaker B: Yeah. [11:02] Speaker A: That's amazing. Any other family stories? [11:05] Speaker B: Well, my husband, his family grew up here. Same thing. I mean, they both were raised, born and raised in Gatlinburg or Sevier County. My mother in law grew up in Cott county, but close enough. They had a business in Gatlinburg for I don't even know how long, way before we got married. It was called McCutcheon's Candies, and they made candy on the parkway in Gatlinburg. So when I started dating Clark, my husband, he was a candy maker. [11:35] Speaker A: Okay. [11:36] Speaker B: Among other things that he did during his youth. But. So when we started dating, I went to work at the candy shop, met a lot of wonderful people. We gave out free candy. That was my job, was to give out the free candy. And that went on for a few years, and then they wanted to retire, and so we took over the business for a few years. And then it's just now Clark's retired and I'm still working and as long as I can. But yeah, we've had a happy life here. Happy life. [12:06] Speaker A: And you have two children. [12:07] Speaker B: Two children, yep. Let me back up and say that Clark and I both went through PI Beta Phi, had several of the same teachers through PI Beta Phi. We both went to a GP and graduated high school. As did my children. [12:24] Speaker A: Wow. [12:25] Speaker B: And of course, my parents and his parents. So that's three generations right there of schooling in Sevier county, thanks to Martha Huff. [12:34] Speaker A: Wow. [12:34] Speaker B: And then our kids, our professionals, both of them are professionals. My daughter. My daughter is a doctor. Family practice in Chattanooga just started. And our son is a recruiter living in Knoxville. So they're both kind of close, but just far enough away that they can't just pop over, you know, so it works out. [12:54] Speaker A: But they love coming back home. [12:56] Speaker B: Oh, they do love coming back home. And. And they love going out and doing things when they're here, which, you know, when you live here, you don't really do a lot of touristy things. They're available and of course we're going to the mountains. But as far as the attractions, we don't, you know, they're here and you kind of take advantage. You just kind of forget things when you live here. But when they're coming back now they're trying to do, they want to do those things and they bring people with them and, you know, the mountains are built into them. But I, I don't know that I'll ever get them back. I'm still waiting on my first grandchild. Hannah King. Okay, Hannah West. [13:34] Speaker A: So when you think about Gatlinburg growing up and pool hopping at all the different hotels, you we say this with a lot of our guests. People might ask you, so where are you from? And you say Gatlinburg. Oh, I didn't know anyone was from Gatlinburg. Well, you might say I have 13 generations that have been Gatlinburg. That's right, that' Gatlinburg, back when you were growing up in the 70s and the 80s is a lot different than it is today. What are some of those changes that you've noticed? [14:03] Speaker B: Well, to me, the biggest change was right at the intersection where Mountain Mall is. That's where my great grandfather's grocery store was. And I can remember riding my bike down there and getting things from him and taking him back home up on Baskin's Creek. And then the Ogle family tore that down and put up the Mountain Mall, which, golly is probably close to 50 years old now, I'm not even sure, but across the street was the First Baptist Church, and that was our church. And so during the summer or even after school, we just go down and roam through the church while it was empty. Nobody locked doors back then. You know, I'm talking about when I was a, a kid. Like I went to P5 from the time I was six. And then I just, I just go around town wherever I wanted to. I mean, nobody worried about where your kids were back then as long as they were home by dark. Y so I can remember crawling through the church and, and looking at every nook and cranny. And then basically the church just outgrew that building. There was no parking to speak of. And so in order to keep growing, they decided to sell the property, which was in the early 90s. We were able to get married in that church, but then in the early 90s it moved. And so it's out on 321 beautiful building. And they're, they're still growing. But to me, that was the Biggest change that I've seen in downtown. I mean, there's all kinds of other things, but as far as going looking back to my childhood and my memories, that's, that's the biggest. [15:33] Speaker A: And I think there's always been about the same number of residents. [15:36] Speaker B: Yeah. Funny enough. [15:37] Speaker A: Yeah. But the big change has been the number of people. [15:41] Speaker B: Yeah. [15:41] Speaker A: That have discovered Gatlinburg. [15:42] Speaker B: Yeah. Oh, yeah. [15:43] Speaker A: And keep coming back. [15:45] Speaker B: Well. And you know, with more businesses, we need more people. But Gallenberg is only so big. I mean, we're landlocked by the park on three sides, and so there's really not much room downtown to grow. So we have to bring people in from Sevierville and Newport and Cosby and people to work for us, which is a blessing to have those people available to come. But yeah, it's, it's, it's, it's a blessing and a curse at the same time to live and work in Gatlinburg because it's, it's paradise. But there's just never enough help. [16:18] Speaker A: And that, that is, that is a challenge. [16:20] Speaker B: Yeah. Well, nationwide. But yes. Always has been here. Because we're so small. [16:25] Speaker A: Yes. [16:25] Speaker B: And we are so popular and people love to come. Yeah. [16:29] Speaker A: Which is great. And you've mentioned hospitality and that's ingrained in you. You probably were changing sheets and cleaning hotel rooms as a eight year old. [16:39] Speaker B: Yeah. Working the front desk. [16:40] Speaker A: Working the front desk and answering phone calls and so forth. The motels. But how has hospitality changed? And how have you seen that we can preserve the best essence of hospitality and not lose that human touch? [16:55] Speaker B: Well, that's the key right there, is relationships. That's how we preserve hospitality, is we treat our guests like we want to be treated. We get to know them, we recognize them when they come through the door. And that was true at the motel that I grew up. It was called the Circle K Motel. It was on the corner of Baskin's Creek and Cherokee orchard. It had 20 rooms. So, you know, we had a lot of the same families that came every year. Where I lived was a block up Baskin's Creek and we had our house and it was surrounded by rental cabins that we managed. And we also had a pool. So, boy, I met a lot of kids at that pool. You know, I made a lot of friends fast as we would splash around in the pool right outside my front door. And the way, you know, I don't know that it's really changed at the core because it's about caring about your customers. And, you know, that's the. That's the trick right there. If you can do that and they feel that you're. [17:56] Speaker A: They're hooked, that is great. I think that is the essence and the people is the heart of. Of hospitality. [18:02] Speaker B: Absolutely, it is. [18:03] Speaker A: And I think even the heart of Gatlinburg is its people and the legacy and these, these incredible stories. When you think about a tip, a good day for you, you know, you don't like to. Not that you don't like to, but you don't go to the tourist attractions because you're a resident. [18:21] Speaker B: Yeah. [18:22] Speaker A: It's almost like, well, they're always there and eventually I'll get there. [18:25] Speaker B: Yeah. In the off season. [18:26] Speaker A: Yes. But what. What is a great day for you when you're not working? [18:31] Speaker B: Yeah. [18:31] Speaker A: You're off on the weekends and a lot of people are here already. So how do you navigate that and how do you enjoy living in this community as a resident on weekends? [18:41] Speaker B: Okay. This past weekend is the example because Tennessee played football and had a great game. And then my son came over and visited. He was in town for the game, so he came over and spent the morning with us. And then that afternoon, my husband said, let's go for a ride in the Miata with the top down, 70 degrees, beautiful sunshine. We knew town was packed. We knew that we also know the back roads. So we spent three hours driving the back roads toward Pigeon Forge. We went over the new extension of the Foothills Parkway, came out in Townsend, missed most of the traffic, came back through the park and just had, you know, had the best day ever. That, that to me is one of the best days, is just being able to get out in nature, enjoy the sunshine, enjoy each other's company, you know, listen to some good music on the radio and just chill. That's great. [19:42] Speaker A: Yeah. And the mountains kind of create that. That sense of vastness, yet real intimacy when you're with your family and enjoying that. So that. That is awesome. This episode of for the Love of Gatlinburg is sponsored by Mountain Laurel Chalets, the family owned company of choice for your cabin rentals in the smoky Mountains. Since 1972, Mountain Laurel Chalets has served thousands of visitors to the Smokies with excellent accommodations. They love treating you like family and they look forward to hosting your next trip to Gatlinburg. As you think of our guests over the years and people that come to Gatlinburg, many that are listening to this podcast probably are our current guests and former guests or legacy guests that come. There's so many people that come to Gatlinburg multiple times a year or every year to celebrate an anniversary. What do you hope those guests experience when they come to Gatlinburg? [20:42] Speaker B: Well, personally, I want them to experience an exceptional house that's clean, everything is functioning. They've got everything they need to cook and serve their meals. It creates a home environment for them to come to with their families. That's what I wish for as a property manager. [21:02] Speaker A: Yes. [21:03] Speaker B: You know, beyond that, I want them to get out and see the mountains. I want them to get out and experience the attractions and, you know, patronize my friends who have businesses downtown, you know, that we all kind of help each other get the people here, and then we try to push them out to the other places where we want to support what's around us. And so I just want them to come and, you know, have beautiful skies and beautiful sunsets. But, you know, if that doesn't happen, then I still want them to enjoy a homey atmosphere in their cabin downtown, the hospitality that all the businesses will show their guests and just have the best day ever. [21:42] Speaker A: And there's a lot that goes into preparing your role in working with the owners to make sure their home is presented well. We have great cleaning crews, inspectors, but there's just a lot of unseen work that you do that allows a guest to come into a home and for things to be set up. [22:02] Speaker B: Right. [22:03] Speaker A: So what are some of those things that you do as a property manager, property services manager, and working with owners and then making sure their homes are prepared? [22:12] Speaker B: Well, obviously I don't get into every cabin before every check in, but when I do go and I know that there's somebody there, Couch cushions, that's my pet peeve. They have to be plumped and straight and everything has to just look magazine ready. After I leave a house, it's magazine ready. Everything works up to my ability. You know, a lot of times I find things. Issues that haven't been reported, and so then I have to get maintenance involved. But we got a great team there, so I know it's going to get done. But that's basically what I do, is make sure that the houses are prepared and ready and in the best shape they can be. Which, you know, I'm really proud of our properties right now because I think we do have exceptional properties. There's not any of them that don't have something great to offer every guest that come. [23:07] Speaker A: And that's. That's an investment from the property owners. [23:10] Speaker B: Right. [23:11] Speaker A: As well as the management company taking care of that property. And Treating that property like it's their own. [23:16] Speaker B: Yes. [23:17] Speaker A: And seeing it with fresh eyes every time that people walk in. And you know, there's a lot of unseen things that go on that you are, you are a part of. Whether it's septic systems that back up, toilets that are running water leaks that happen, insurance claims, switching guests to another home because of an unforeseen accident in the home. [23:44] Speaker B: Yeah. H vac system's not working. [23:46] Speaker A: That was this morning and it's cool this morning. So that's, that's all right. But when it happens and it's 100 degree day, it's a. [23:53] Speaker B: And, well, I mean, we were able to accommodate them. You know, that's the beauty of a property manager. You can't get that with VRBO or Airbnb. Property that's owned by one person. They don't have the choice, you know, they, you either move or get discounted. But we, more times than not, we're able to move them and they're happier. [24:15] Speaker A: And the best case scenario is to fix the problem. [24:18] Speaker B: Well, yeah, but if it's a case of insurance like it is this time, and it's just not going to be possible, then we're going to let that guest know. As soon as we know, tell them exactly what's going on. Be upfront, truthful and say, this is where we are. This is what we can offer you. We want you to come, but we want you to be happy. And that's the bottom line. [24:37] Speaker A: That's great. Well, a little more personal on the business and your relationship with Ms. Dot and Ralph, my in laws who started the business in 1972. It's interesting. So many of the pioneers you mentioned are women. [24:52] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. [24:53] Speaker A: In this community. And we're seeing that as a theme with a lot of our guests. And we do look at Dot Eckley as being a pioneer in this industry for hospitality and creating that warmth. How have we. And we didn't prepare with this question, but how are we as a company doing to maintain their legacy, to keep that generational spirit going at Mountain Laurel? [25:21] Speaker B: Well, I think that the, the front desk girls that we have now, Pam and Kelly, are just stellar at making people feel welcome. And that's really all anybody wants. Right when they go on vacation, they just want to feel welcome, appreciated, seen. If they have a problem, they want to, they want it fixed. And they are, they just can calm people down. If they get excited over something that's broken, that's really not going to be a big deal for us. Or if they want recommendations on where to go, where to eat, you know, to me, Dot, we're talking, you know, 25 years ago, was always at that desk when they, when the guests came in. She saw him first, but then they saw her when they came, when they approached the counter. And just her presence and her, you know, getting up out of her chair and coming to greet the people, I think that we're carrying that forward. I mean, gosh, she taught me everything I know about that, you know, how to just show decency and kindness to other people. So I think we do a really good job at that. Even our maintenance men, when they have encounters with the guests at the houses, they, they, they leave laughing. And the customers are in a better mood than when they came there. And even if the problem was not fixed, they still feel like they're important to us, which they, they are. And the maintenance men enter with care and compassion and understanding and do everything they can within their power to make things right. And that's. Dot and Ralph were about that a lot. I mean, they wanted the best and that's what they wanted their guests to have. And so I think we're doing a pretty good job. I think she'd be proud. I really do. [27:06] Speaker A: I hope so. I do hope so. And that. That's our intention. You know, they were really involved in the community as well. And you have served for several years with the Gatlinburg Hospitality and Lodging Association. [27:19] Speaker B: I did. [27:20] Speaker A: Is that the correct name? [27:21] Speaker B: Yeah, it's, yeah. Gatlinburg Hospitality Association. Yes. I was on the board for, I don't know, close to 20 years. Very active with them. Was there, actually their treasurer got to meet so many people, managers in, in Gatlinburg. So it was a good networking opportunity for me. And then Covid. [27:43] Speaker A: Yes. [27:45] Speaker B: So, you know, the world is kind of turned upside down with COVID and it did change what I do to some degree. So I didn't have as much time to spend with the association after Covid, and so I had to resign. And of course they're going to carry on me, but it was a fabulous experience. I got to meet some just stellar industry leaders in Gallenberg and make some friendships that will carry on for, you know, as long as we're all here. And it, I, I really enjoyed it, but don't have time for it anymore. [28:19] Speaker A: Especially with maybe the grandchildren coming. [28:21] Speaker B: Right, right, right. [28:23] Speaker A: Schedule be a little bit busier as well, so we'll wait on that one. [28:26] Speaker B: Yeah, unfortunately. [28:28] Speaker A: So as you think of Gatlinburg then and today, and there's a lot more attractions, a lot more people that are coming to visit. 12 to 14 million people coming to visit. [28:41] Speaker B: It's just mind boggling, isn't it? It's crazy. [28:44] Speaker A: It is. Yet we've still stayed this small town village that is hosting millions of people, right, every year. So what is it that you hope people would experience when they come to gatlinburg for the fifth time, the 10th time, that would draw them still to come back? Or maybe better yet, if someone comes for the very first time, what is it that you're hoping that they experience about Gatlinburg that would draw them in and make them want to come back again? [29:18] Speaker B: Well, Gatlinburg is unique and that is, is totally walkable. You can experience the entire area downtown, you can walk it in it, it's two miles. You can walk to the end and back and not even know. But packed in there are so many shops, so many restaurants, so many attractions that, that change, you know. And so I think one of the things that I get asked a lot by repeat customers is what's the newest restaurant? Or you know, are there any new cool stores that have opened up downtown? Or you know, is there, are there attractions that we can't miss when we're there? But then I would hope too that they would go into the park where nothing changes, where it's always going to be the same. They're always going to be able to hike the same trails and look at the same overlooks and so that kind of grounds them. But then there's the added excitement of newness that's, I mean, Gatlinburg is always going to change and grow. I mean that's, that's just the way progress is and we certainly are growing. So they look forward to the new things, you know, and that's the reason that they would come back to experience our hospitality and see what's new and then to go into the mountains and feel like they're at home and grounded again in nature. [30:34] Speaker A: And the mountains never change. [30:36] Speaker B: The mountains never change, yet they always change. [30:39] Speaker A: There's no more growth, the leaves, the trees, the evolution of time and the different seasons and so forth. As you think about going into the mountains, do you have a favorite hike, a favorite place in the mountains? [30:52] Speaker B: I do. I tend to hike the shorter trails and I'm very passionate about wildflowers. So spring is my favorite season. And the trail that I keep going back to is in the chimney Picnic area. [31:09] Speaker A: It's a great trail for the wildflowers. [31:11] Speaker B: It's a short enough trail that you can do it in 30 minutes if you want to, or you can spend, you know, hours stopping and photographing the flowers, which I like to do. So that's probably my top trail. Now, if we're driving, which we do a lot, it's probably the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, because you can still see. I mean, you can reach out and touch the bank in some places and see the flowers close up and see waterfalls just sitting in your car and they're just, you know, right above you. So that the Motor Nature Trail is just magical. I mean, I don't know of any place anywhere that has that. [31:47] Speaker A: It is. Is stunning. [31:49] Speaker B: Yeah. [31:49] Speaker A: And there's all the little buildings that are within there and the bridges and you are so close in the fairy house. Yes. [31:58] Speaker B: Yeah. Gotta know where that is. [31:59] Speaker A: Yep. It's a little secret. [32:01] Speaker B: It's a secret. [32:01] Speaker A: You can find that. Well, this is. This has been great. As you think about your lifetime in Gatlinburg, you've not known anything different other than being just around. You've been in the Smokies at college, so Maryville College is right around the corner. What do you hope for your grandchildren one day? [32:20] Speaker B: Oh, well, I don't have any, so I really haven't given that much thought. But as far as the future of Gatlinburg for everybody else's grandchildren, I want it to stay. Keep that small town feel, you know, people love that. I don't ever want to have the New York or Chicago or a, you know, Detroit feeling about Gatlinburg. And I don't think we will because we can't grow. Because. Because we're encompassed by the mountains. We're. We're hugged by the mountains. [32:59] Speaker A: Oh, I love that. That is a great. [33:02] Speaker B: That's a great way to describe everybody. Not just my grandchildren, but everybody's grandchildren can come and feel how magical it is here, you know. Oh, have a bear encounter, maybe. [33:12] Speaker A: Yes. [33:13] Speaker B: I mean, people love seeing the bears, but they're my nemesis right now. [33:18] Speaker A: They're pesky. [33:19] Speaker B: Yeah. They cause problems for property managers. Yes. [33:23] Speaker A: Well, I love your phrase that the people feel hugged by the mountains. And isn't that true as we're sitting here looking at the beautiful view and. And these mountains that bring so much solace and comfort to people. And I know that they've done that for you throughout your life. [33:39] Speaker B: Absolutely. [33:39] Speaker A: So. Well, thanks for joining us today, Kay. And thanks for 35 years of serving at Mount Laurel Chalets. And for those people that dozens and hundreds and thousands of people's lives whom you've touched that have been our guests and visitors and from all those kids that you hopped in pools with. It's exciting to hear all of those stories, but thanks for being with us today. [34:02] Speaker B: Yep, thank you. [34:05] Speaker A: Thank you for joining me on this episode of for the Love of Gatlinburg. I hope you enjoyed exploring the stories that weave together the rich tapestry of our mountain town. Whether you're reminiscing about past visits or dreaming of your next adventure, remember that every corner of Gatlinburg has a story waiting to be discovered. If you loved what you heard today, please take a moment to subscribe, rate and review our podcast. Your support helps us share the charm and history of Gatlinburg with even more listeners, partners, and don't forget to connect with us on social media. Until next time, keep the spirit of Gatlinburg alive in your hearts. Safe travels and see you soon. [35:00] Speaker B: It. [35:51] Speaker A: It it. [36:42] Speaker B: It.