The Smoky Mountains is a great place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day as the mountains' earliest European settlers were from the northern regions of Ireland.   Known as the Scots-Irish (and sometimes Scotch-Irish), their migation to the Americas began in the early 1700s, many finding their way to these mountains by 1750.   Their staunch independence and steely resolve helped the Scots-Irish tame the wilderness and carve out a new life in this rugged terrain.    The Scots-Irish had the largest contingent of volunteer fighters in the American Revolution.  It is estimated that about one in seven Tennesseans can trace their heritage to the Scots-Irish, including Anna.  It was that same Scots-Irish determination that Anna displayed in the Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway, gamely competing despite a broken finger in her throwing hand.

At right, the majestic Mount Le Conte - the third tallest peak in the Smokies - and an equally majestic  Anna / Dr Pepper can look out over Gatlinburg below.