Wedding Capital of Tennessee

Posted on June 13, 2014June 13, 2014 by Dusty Roads

One thing I haven’t said too much about is weddings. Probably because I’m not in the market for a wedding venue. But I couldn’t help noticing all the cute little chapels scattered around Gatlinburg.

I looked up weddings in one of Gatlinburg’s brochures and found 12 different Chapels listed along with 5 additional outdoor or cabin venues. The brochure calls Gatlinburg the Wedding Capital of the South…not just Tennessee.

Gatlinburg Chapel is credited with introducing wedding chapels to the area and thousands of weddings have been performed here including Billy Ray Cyrus and Patti Lovelace.

True or not, there are lots of cute, little Chapels dotting the landscape.

Another Vacation Comes to an End

Posted on June 12, 2014June 12, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Check out is 10 am. My flight isn’t until 6 pm. I’ve got a little time to poke around in Pigeon Forge before I head to Knoxville.

If I ever get back here I hope the Skylift will be open. I’ll plan to include Dollywood next time and get to that wonderful restaurant for the escargot and lobster. And I’ll have to go to the Aquarium.

Next trip I’ll have to make that hike to the Grotto Falls and maybe some others because I won’t be recovering from falling off a plane (I hope).

Maybe I’ll take a ride on this huge Ferris Wheel.

But this was the vacation I needed. Quiet and nature, no crowds. It refreshed my heart and soul. Sometimes you need that more than crowds and attractions.

I wonder where I’ll end up next!?

Photo of the Week ~ 23

Posted on June 11, 2014June 11, 2014 by Dusty Roads

The winner with 30 points is the brightly colored flower titled Red and Yellow on Green.

To order prints click here: http://dustyroadsphotos.zenfolio.com/p161572686/h231b6419#h231b6419

Meet the Residents of Parrot Mountain

Posted on June 10, 2014June 10, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Do you want to know a secret?

I loved Parrot Mountain.

The birds are beautiful.

As usual when I find something I like I went overboard on pictures.

I’d never be a good editor.

Pick just one or two pictures??? Not a chance.

I could never decide so here’s a few more from that lush and colorful venue.

Flowers

More birds

They look so curious

More Flowers

Remember the bird from Barretta?

But just like the show, it’s time to sign off. If you like birds I can whole heartily recommend Parrot Mountain!

Parrot Mountain

Posted on June 9, 2014June 9, 2014 by Dusty Roads

It’s my last full day in Tennessee. Tomorrow afternoon I’ll be flying the friendly skies back to Providence RI. So what to do? Dollywood was still on my list and I was still dragging my feet. Admission is $60.00 for the day and I’m only luke-warm about it.

I’d heard about a place called Parrot Mountain but no one seemed to have much information. I couldn’t find any brochures but the web site looked interesting. Yes I think I’ll explore that. If I hate it or it’s a rip-off I’ll be right down the street from Dollywood.

Since I was headed to Parrot Mountain I decided to drive instead of taking the trolley. I’m glad I did. I spotted the big billboard sign on the side of a mountain so I headed for the sign. I passed Dollywood and the signs kept pointing ahead. Finally I started up a very steep driveway. At the top was a big sign telling me I had arrived at Parrot Mountain.

If first appearances count for anything I was already happy. The entrance was so pretty and quaint. Birds sat perched along the retaining wall.

The entrance was like a little cottage. A large stairway replicated Thomas Kincade’s Stairway to Paradise.

The entrance fee was only $16.95. The very first pace I entered was the Bird garden. There were perches everywhere and each had a bird or two. Each perch was labeled so you knew which birds were safe to feed or touch ad which should just be admired. There were seed dispensers located through out. I could spend all day right here.

Even the squirrels agree!

A bit more expensive is the opportunity to have a picture taken with the birds. Handlers bring over the most docile birds and pile them on for your photo op.

There’s also a meditation garden with caged birds and religious stations of the cross. Religious or not is peaceful and beautiful along that path.

I entered the lory aviary with a cup of nectar and before I could say come and get it I was loaded with those colorful little birds. They landed on my arms, my hands ,even my head. There wasn’t anyone to take a picture which was too bad. It was such fun.