Carolyn and Don Curry in Smokies
By Henry Piarrot
“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.” – English author and creator of Winnie the Pooh, Alan Alexander Milne
Having a harmonious long term relationships is, and is not a mystery. First, the meaning of love has to do with how you feel about and treat the person you care deeply about. Second, a lifelong, loving relationship can be at times difficult to understand. However, it can be learned. But, it can only be cultivated over time and turmoil.
Don and Carolyn Curry are the current owners’ of The Mountaineer Campground in Townsend at 8451 State Highway 73. It is an RV campground with 43 sites and 3 cabins approximately a half mile from the entrance of The Great Smoky National Park.
High school sweethearts from two different schools in their hometown of Campbellsville, KY, the young couple were married in 1968 when both were 17 years old. Forty four years, three sons and six grandchildren later, Don and Carolyn are now blissfully retired and working seven days a week doing exactly what they have always wanted to do.
When the Curry’s started their life together, they decided that one of them had to get a college degree if they were going to have the kind of life they wanted for themselves and their family. So, Carolyn went to work full time at the local Fruit of the Loom factory and supported the family while Don earned a biology degree from Campbellsville College.
After graduation in 1975, Don went to work for the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection. There he worked on environmental projects and policies until 1991 when he began working for the Tennessee Gas Pipeline and relocated the family to Bellevue, TN.
Don and Carolyn have always loved the outdoors and wrapped themselves in nature every possible moment Don’s time consuming profession allowed. Several years ago, the couple began vacationing in the Great Smoky Mountains and would stay at The Mountaineer Campground when they came to hike and fish. As regular guests, they came to know the owners quite well. Then, with retirement approaching, Mr. and Mrs. Curry had an idea.
In December 2010, Don contacted Bob and Barbara Hurst, who had owned The Mountaineer for 12 years by that time and asked them if they would consider selling their campground. The Curry’s came to the campground to meet with the Hurst’s and in April 2011, Don and Carolyn became the owners of their favorite place on Earth.
The Mountaineer Campground consumes approximately four acres and its founding dates back to the 1960’s. It is surrounded by restaurants, attractions and a pristine river that is great for tubing and fishing. With electricity, cable television and wifi, it can accurately be described as a little slice of Heaven on Earth.
Don and Carolyn live on the site and are now able to spend every day doing exactly the things they love most to do most. Working 24/7 is not work when you get paid for living a lifelong dream.
Always a true naturalist, Don Curry is also a nature photographer and has pictures featured in the March 2012 editions of Southern Living and Smoky Mountain Living magazines. Carolyn has also become a nature photographer and both of their works can be viewed on their website www.wildlifetrailphotography.
Not all of marriage or life for that matter is perfect. However, the Curry’s have managed to love long and prosper. They are both still amazed how they began their life together while in high school, living in a 12’ X 50’ trailer and have still been able to achieve and live their dreams together.
Now 44 years, may seem like a long time to most of us, but the Curry’s are still almost honeymooners compared to a Taiwanese couple who have been married for 85 years as certified by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest married couple. Liu Yung-yang, 103, and his wife Yang Wan, 102, were married in April 1917 and are responsible for 110 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting.” – Henry David Thoreau
Henry Piarrot is a Sevier County resident and Director of Housekeeping for Wyndham Smoky Mountain Resort. Please send all story recommendations to hpiarrot@yahoo.com
