Thank you, my friend. The same back at you.
There is a story behind that "greetings and hallucinations" line.
It was going on 35 years ago and we were up on the Cherohala Skyway hiking up to Huckleberry Knob, which is a Bald just over a mile high. Super 360 degree views. Half way up there is a field with a plethora of wild flowers and wild strawberries in season. As we started across the field we passed an elderly gentleman with a Pith Helmet on and a lady with a Bonnet tied on her head. Unusual attire on the trail. As we passed them the man said, "Greetings and hallucinations, a beautiful day" and began to name the flowers around us as they slowly passed us. I was blown away by his quick wit and knowledge of the flowers around us. A few minutes later it struck me all at once. We had just met and passed on the trail Carson Brewer and his wife. That name means nothing to you, but he was very famous around here. He authored several books about hiking and the history of the mountains. He also wrote a column for the Knoxville News Sentinal. HE was the reason I started hiking after I read one of his books. An amazing man. I started to turn and run him down but I have this thing about personal space. My story for the day. Carson is long gone but his memories live on.
