A continuation of our trip to Dollywood in Aug., 2008

Pigeon Forge is located in a big valley in Tenn. It offers something for every one. There are a wide varitey of places to stay, lots of shows and things to see. Shops and eatries line the road, and a trolly service offers rides for a small fee.

Dollywood is just outside of town. It was a wonderful place to visit! We spent two days there and did not get to see everything. Many of the buildings were painted in pastels and whites. Some were rustic in appearence.
There were a lot of musical shows, rides for young, middle aged and old .
Many shops offered homemade items, and were a tribute to the state of Tenn. as well as the Cherokee Indians .
A lot of small resturants offered a variety of good down home cooking.

We went to the Serverville, which is minutes away from Pigeon Forge. It is also a mecca for tourisits! The Forbidden Caverns are located a few miles from town. Our tour guide was quite interesting. We saw stalagtites, stalagmites, an old moonshine still and underground stream as we walked to a depth of 560 ft.
It was an enjoyable trip.

Gatlinburg is a small town nestled near the Smokies. Ripleys Museum, haunted walk and aquarium are located there as well as many other attractions. The narrow streets were crowded with tourists. The Sky Lift takes two people at a time on ski lift chairs to the top of Crocket Mtn. which is 1800ft high. The view of the town, forests and mountains is breathtaking !

Our last day was spent taking a trip to Cades Cove which is located in the Western Part Of Smokey Mtn National Park. We drove an eleven mile loop around the cove. It once was the hunting grounds for the Cherokee. The first white settlers arrived in the early 1800s. A treaty was signed in 1819 giving them permission to settle there. It was a grand place to visit! Many of the old cabins were still standing, and were scatterd through out the area. I could imagine the hardships people must have endured as they tried to eek out an existance in this savage wilderness! The isolation, elements, lack of needful items, animals and some inhospitable Indians must have made their lives even harder.
I could feel their spirits as the wind blew through golden meadows. Its effects were magical and for brief moments I was transported back in time! Its an expierence I'll never forget!

The Primitive Baptist Church was built in 1827. It was in very good condition. Behind it was a small well kept cemetary. Many of the grave stones held names of settlers who lived and died there. Deer munched on grass in the near by forest. We took lots of pictures.

We left our cabin about 7am on Saturday morning. A smokey haze of clouds covered the majestic mountains as we drove toward home.
Our vacation was over ,but we took a part of that wonderful place with us. It true ly is one of Gods most beautiful creations!