Do you like to know where you’re going or do you prefer to drive around to see where the roads lead? As for me, I like finding shortcuts or a new route. You never know when you may need to use them, especially if you’re being chased.
Why am I even thinking of somebody being chased? It started with a reality TV police program I was watching with Tim. In this show, the video was taken from a police car’s dashboard camera. The police had gotten behind a car that ran a stop sign. They ran the license plate and discovered the car had been stolen in another state. Immediately they began to follow it. Of course, the driver realized the police was on to him, so he sped up as he fled down the highway. As the chase ensued, I began to notice the scenery seemed strangely familiar. Then I had the realization: “That’s Norris Freeway!” Tim answered: “No it’s not.” I quickly responded: “Yes, it is. You grew up close to Knoxville whereas I grew up off of the Freeway, so I ought to know.” Papaw’s farm was about a mile from the freeway, so we drove on it to go to Halls or to Norris since our doctor’s office was located there. In the summer we either went swimming at Norris Pool or at Big Ridge. There were times we drove to Lake City ( now Rocky Top).
The TV announcer talked about the danger of a chase on curvy mountain roads. Tim said: “See, it’s not here.” I wasn’t about to give in. “To us, curvy mountain roads are going to The Smokey Mountains. To those who aren’t used to our area, we have mountainous roads around here.” I knew I had a good point. Whenever our relatives from Florida come to visit, they always talk about our twisty roads. Tim shrugged and went back to watching the chase. Within seconds, we saw the “Norris Pool” sign appear on the TV screen. Now, I dare say you know what I did next : “See! I told you so!”
It was surreal to watch the car chase go across Norris Dam and continue down the Freeway. Then the stolen car made a hard right turn onto Powerhouse Way. It’s the road that dead ends into the parking area below the dam. I wondered if the driver even realized he had crossed over a dam. I know he was probably panicked, but my goodness. About that time, the driver realized there was no way out because he stopped the car, jumped out, and ran toward some trees. Of course, many policemen were running after him. Now, I’ll give you one guess as to what was on the other side of the trees. Yep, it was the Clinch River. It gets even better. The announcer exclaimed: “The driver is running into the forest in order to escape the police officers.” I guess he missed the dam as well.
“The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.” Proverbs 14:18 (KJV).
The driver of the stolen car was driving by the seat of his pants in that he obviously had no idea about the roads in these here parts. Of course, it led to him being captured and arrested as it should. That being said, even in our everyday lives, it pays to be prudent and have a good grasp of things going on around us. Be knowledgeable and think ahead.
Wouldn’t it have been better if the announcer was from our area? For instance, he could have said: “Lordy be, that driver has turned the car toward the dam. He’s lost his cotton-picking mind. Wait, he’s stopped the car, jumped out of it, and is running toward Clinch River. He ain’t got a lick of sense.”

Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.