Tag Archives: Pigeon Forge

Gatlinburg

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I woke up bright and early. The sun was shining. It looks like it’s going to be a nice day. Yesterday it was 88 degrees when I drove into town. I bet it gets there again today. Love it!

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Over night my subconscious had apparently arranged my day for me. I’d do what I normally do in a new place, I’d take a trolley ride. For $2.00 you can ride around all day on the Gatlinburg trolley.

I drove through Pigeon Forge on my way to Gatlinburg and my first impression was of one long, giant midway or arcade. Even in the car I had the impression of a carnival atmosphere. One of the trolley lines runs to Dollywood so when the time comes that’s how I’ll travel. I’ll leave the car at the Welcome Center but today I’ll explore Gatlinburg.

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The Purple line picks up at the Welcome Center where the parking is free and drops you off at the Aquarium. Here you can wait for a different trolley or walk. I decided to walk.

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I crossed a little bridge in front of the Aquarium to reach street level and crossed to the main drag.

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I found myself standing a the base of a long hill. The street  climbed straight up it and looked like a miniature version of Pigeon Forge.

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There were candy shops and old time photo shops on every block.

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There were arcades and restaurants and even a Dunkin’ Donuts!

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The Skylift on the right and a bit farther on the left, the Space Needle marked the top of the hill. I dug out the camera and started up.

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The street was lined with benches so I took my time, stopping to rest and chat with who ever happened to be sitting there. I met folks from Chattanooga up for the weekend and a gentleman from California. Another couple were from Idaho and had come out for their honeymoon.

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As I neared my destination of the space needle I spotted  Ole Smoky Moonshine. I’d tried to get a tasting in Sugarlands but I was ignored at each tasting station so I left. Maybe I could get a taste here.

Better have lunch before I start downing white lightening!

 

What’s In Gatlinburg?

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A similar question came up when we went to South Dakota and that turned out to be a great vacation. So I am hopeful that this will be the same. Sandy has been to the Great Smokey Mountains and the first thing she said when I told her I’d decided on Tennessee was to be sure to visit Dollywood.

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I admit, Dollywood wasn’t on the top of my “to do” list and I reluctantly said ok, if it’s close enough. Well it sure is close enough. Located in Pigeon Forge it’s less than 10 miles from Gatlinburg.

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Dollywood isn’t open year round so I was still thinking I might get a reprieve if it wasn’t open for the season but that didn’t work out either. According to the website it’s opening on March 22 so even if they were to delay the opening for some reason it’s still sure to be up and running by May.

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But here’s where it gets interesting. I was dragging my feet because I don’t like amusement parks. 6 Flags is a waste of money for me and I only go to Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire on occasion to take pictures. But Dolly stresses that her park is a “family adventure” (don’t call it an amusement park”).

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My sister says this is the cleanest park she has even seen! Although there are more than 30 rides there are also musical shows, restaurants and arts and crafts shops where  wood carving, glassblowing and quilting are demonstrated.

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Although Dollywood had to bear the brunt of a number of jokes when it first opened it now hosts 2.5 million guests in a typical season. No longer a laughing matter, Dollywood is a major employer for the region. As of 2010, the park was the biggest “ticketed” tourist attraction in Tennessee each year for more than a decade.

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So I have had a change of heart and moved Dollywood from a reluctant location on my itinerary to one of the “must see” stops. They say the Ferris wheel is  60 ft. high. Imagine the pictures I can get from up there!