October 19-21 Great Smoky Mountains

On Monday 10/19 we left Nashville about 9:40 and drove 195 miles to the Whispering River RV Resort in Walland, TN.  When we pulled into our site Larry (Kirk's brother) and Beth were sitting there waiting for us! We had no idea they would be there! This is a great campground that lies next to a river and in between bluffs on each side. The sites are grassy and spacious, all were pull-thrus. They had a big field where we could walk the dogs.  We made chili for supper and even though it cooled off by sunset we did sit outside by the gas firepit until about 9:00.  It was a windy night- the temp got into the low 30's. They also had a outdoor pool and a nice shower/laundry building (in the barn).  Every morning the valley was covered in fog/mist but it cleared up by mid-morning.

On Tuesday Joe and Nancy went to Cincinnati since Nancy's daughter was having medical issues. Larry and Beth joined us to go exploring. We went to Cade's Cove (11 miles scenic loop in the Smoky Mt. National Park). It was so busy that it took us one hour to cover 4 miles, so we ducked off on a gravel road to get out of there- enjoyed the view better from up on top of the hills anyway. We got as high as 3100 feet and ate a picnic lunch up near the top. October is the busiest time in the Smokies- due to the trees changing color.  We stopped at Cades Cove Cellars winery for some tasting and bought a bottle of blackberry wine.  In Townsend we went to the GSM Heritage Center- a nicely done little village of 1800's buildings and a small museum. We had a great meal at the camper, and sat around the campfire again until the wind picked up and we got too cold.
On Wednesday (my birthday!) Beth made breakfast before they headed out.  Kirk and I drove to Gatlinburg via Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge is a zoo- almost worse than Branson. Tons of hotels, restaurants, and attractions.  We parked in downtown Gatlinburg and took the Sky Lift (chair lift) up the mountain that we thought went to the ski hill but it didn't.  Nice view from the top, after we came back down we walked to the tram that did take us to the Ober ski hill. We got there just in time for the 1:00 Oktoberfest show in the restaurant.  German band, music, singing, dancing.  The meals we had were pretty good, not as good as those in Amana though.  Afterwards we took a ride on the Sky Coaster- each of us had a sled that went down a track like a roller coaster, down the mountain.  It was fun but scary! We drove back to the campground taking the Gatlinburg bypass- it was about an hour total.  Joe was back so we went to Smoky Joe's BBQ for dinner- good food in a country style family restaurant. Nice owners- talked to them about hog hunting. Imagine that!

Going up the mt. on my sled!