We hit 1,000 Miles today.....

Tuesday we went down to Gatlinburg(like one block we stayed under the space needle, screw that thing). Walked around. Went to the sucky Guiness museum, Rode the skylift, Had Dinner and Went to see Eleanor(yes THE Eleanor)

Wednesday we spent the day tubing down the little river. Fun, But the second time we got the **** scared out of us because the freaking snakes were out sunning.

Thursday we went to the Ripleys Aquarium and on to Cades Cove. The Tennessee aquarium is better IMO.

Yesterday we spent the day in the mountains went to Cherokee NC and back over through Newfound Gap...

Today we drove home, and NO! He still hasn't let me drive Ralph.

We played at the arcade, got old time photos made, swam every night. WOW! I so had a great time!

This was TONS better than the beach. Our hotel was 2 minutes from everything, and was CLASSIC. Not condo made over highrise crap like in Florida.

 

Fun times! I love it UP there (its north of us April).

We go every feb and last time didnt get to see snow Cades cove is my favorite though, i took about 400 pics of deer, this time im going back with a zoom lens.

 

I am SO used to heading south- this is the first NON florida real vacation we have taken. (eek)

Cades Cove was HOT!!!!!! We saw 5 deer and 3 Turkeys and 2 dumas' who must have never seen deer before, stopped in the middle of the lane and gawked for ten minutes creating a traffic jam.
We made the mistake of hiking to the first cabin on the stop- in 100 degree heat- we were all miserable.
The mill there was not running because the water was too low to operate it. We went to the Mingus Mill Friday though- it was. BUT we also STUPIDLY hiked a half mile up the mountain to Clingmans Dome in 100 degree weather- I thought we were all gonna die, but it was worth it.

In Cherokee there was a Zoo Dungeon, the kids wanted to see the animals- it looked Birmingham Zoo circa 1980. Smelly and concrete. Eww. Cherokee was totally not what I remembered from childhood.

There is a spectacular waterfall on the side of 321 between Cades Cove and Gatlinburg. Ivy and I decided to go to it- The river is ankle deep, how hard could it be I said as I slipped off a rock and slid up to my thighs in water-giving Brian a stroke because we were in HIS new mustang. BUT that hike was worth it, the waterfall was spectacular.

Also on 441 there is a pulloff at an amazingly beautiful stream, we sat for like 45 minutes watching salamanders and crawdads BEAUTIFUL!

Did not see ONE bear in the wild the whole time though!

 

Resorts on dirt roads with unfiltered well water, and the convenience of the latrines' short lines sure beats all the highrise crap.

 

Don't get me wrong- I love Florida(and am the only family member who would LIVE there). I am just pissed they tore down my favorite Hotel, and my Favorite Amusement park to make more Condos. PC Beach is one of those places that doesn't even look the same as it did five years ago. The only thing the same is the beach.

Now Orlando and its fanciness, I can't miss my Christmas trip down there.The fancier the better there. Sadly, Eleanor has been there four times in 2 years.

Hotel Room in PC beach per night(Best Western Casa Loma) $135, and thats a cheap one.
Hotel Room in Gatlinburg Per Night(Rocky Top Mountain Inn) $61. Hotels there are still affordable.

 

Well, you KNOW me...

That's beautiful country up there. I resently spent a week in NC helping a friend build a cabin which is on a mountain. He had me going for a while, I almost bought there just for the views.

The one negative was the one lane roads which happen to have two yellow lines right down the middle.

Ooooops!!!

 

I woulda given anything to have driven those mountain roads in Ralph....It looked like a ton of fun as I sat in the passenger seat.

But he won't let me drive him yet.

 

April, bear sightings have been few and far between according to the locals. When we were up in Feb, they said the last one they saw was in August 05. Not sure whats going on, but apperently they move more in the fall than anything up there.

only 5 deer? I saw at least 150 and we got fairly close to them. And yes there are some amazing streams up in that area. We stopped at a few on our way there and back.

 

Yea- only FIVE! But in their defense, it was like 100 in the shade that day.
In Cades cove all of em, and a flock of Turkeys.

Other than that just some Salamanders in the creek.

Now that I know what I was missing- I will be back.

Pigeon Forge SUCKED. It looked like I drive in Orlando.

 

Glad you had a good time. Hold on, he'll let drive Ralph - one day.
The Smokeys are great, no sand, no ocean, and no sea gulls to crap on your car. Just an occasional raccoon incident. But that another story.
We have a cabin just north of Gatlinburg, it available for rent part of the year. I can hook you up with the rental agency.

TDS

 

That time is this week. Ralph is with me all week. We went to Dinner- Guess which mustang we took? Ellie......She was too tired to take this trip- shes been on like 10 so far, and her age is showing(32k miles).
Definitely no more road trips to Ernest for a couple years, I am just greatful they took our POS off our hands.

Si and Eddie missed us terribly.

Next Time in Gatlinburg, we are going in spring or fall though.
More:

 

Hey Tommy, How far north is the cabin? I love gatlinburg area.. but I really love going over to the Tail Of The Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway... beautiful roads (and fun). If its not far from g'burg, I might get with you for our church trips up where anj and I dont want to stay in the same hotel as the others.

 

What are you doing to that poor Gorrila ?

 

We WERE BORED!!! We wasted money on the suckiest museum ever made- the guiness world record museum and had to create some amusement. That picture is nothing, trust me.

Yea, Tell us both about the Cabin Tommy......