Thursday, December 6, 2007...Graham County...This visit to Robbinsville would take me the furthest west I'd ever been in North Carolina (I didn't go to Cherokee). It also took us through a valley along the Nantahala River which brought smiles to the driver and me as we remembered our first North Carolina river rafting trip. When we stopped to fill up the propane in Robbinsville, a man pulled up along side the RV, got out of his car and walked energetically to the door. "Hello. I'm Noel Crow, I'm Cherokee. I'm the Pastor of First Baptist Church," he said excitedly as he pointed to the steeple standing sentinel above the town. It comforted me to know there was a refuge if we needed a safe haven in this place far from home. "Is Senator Smith here? I read his book and I want him to know he has my support," he said in one breath as his eyes sparkled and his smile radiated sincerity. I had to tell him Fred was at the newspaper office being interviewed. "I can't make it tonight but I just want him to know I support him because he's a man of faith and because of his high standards of integrity." Wow! What enthusiasm. A few hours later Fred was sharing with the Graham audience what he sees for North Carolina's future and how he would work tirelessly to make it a reality. Fred brings hope and is energizing the party to change North Carolina. It was a good day in the mountains!