It’s been quite a day. A so-so buffet breakfast at a hotel. Then we had a lot of time to kill, so we took a drive and did some sightseeing along the Ocoee river and lakes. That entire area, up through the Cherokee National Forest, is really something. Beautiful. I can see why Don wanted to settle here. Here’s a picture just below one of the dams as the sun came out and caused a small rainbow due to the mist from the waterfall. No pot of gold, though.

It’s a beautiful forest and river valley. Good drive for a sad day. Then we went back to the hotel, got dressed and headed out for the funeral service. Plenty of people came out to honor Don – his friends and family. Lots of nice remembrances and stories. Beautiful flowers.

I came away with a renewed decision to ask for a party, a wake, rather than a traditional funeral. I hope the people I know get together with plenty to eat and drink, and good music. I’ll make sure at least one Rush song is played – have to think about which one that should be.

After the service we retired to Don’s home for some food prepared by relatives and some small talk. Then, a short drive to the hotel, where just as we arrived the heavens opened up with a fierce display of lightning and torrential rain. Fitting, somehow.

Title picture is an old shot of my brothers and Dad back in the 80s. Don is the one in the middle. Just hard to believe he’s gone.