A Trip to the Smokies

This past week we took a few days to visit Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and surrounding areas. It is one of those tourist meccas with lots to do for the kiddies, as long as you take along your wallet.

This is the beginning of their busy season, but as busy as it was, we were probably affected more by traffic than wait times anywhere we went. Restaurants abound. Pancake houses are everywhere, as well as an assortment of steak, seafood, barbecue, and places specializing in good ole' country cookin'. We ate well.

Titanic Museum in Sevierville, TN

One of the highlights of the trip was the Titanic Museum. I've been to one in Orlando, and this is just as well done. If you haven't visited one, give it a try. The artifacts that have been recovered are amazing. The museum in Seveirville currently has costumes from the movie, Titanic, starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Rose's Costumes in the movie. The beaded dress in the middle weighs 20 pounds!

We also took a drive through Gatlinburg and into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Gatlinburg is just as busy as ever, having survived the fires last fall. The main tourist area is fine. The fire reached the outer edges of the town and damage is still quite visible.

Tree Tops Resort on the outskirts of Gatlinburg is open but it lost a few buildings.

This is all that was left of several buildings and cabins

We didn't drive through the worst of the burn area but, even where we drove, there was evidence of fire damage.

Seeing the dead trees on the hillside above the town was a reminder of that terrifying night last fall for people in the community.

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park we drove a 5.5 mile 1-way route called the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Apparently we weren't the only ones who thought this would be a nice drive. The pull-offs were packed, and in one area people were parked for half a mile on both sides of the 1-WAY (1 LANE!) road, making it almost impassable.

Once away from those areas though, the scenery was lovely.

After leaving the Motor Nature Trail, we headed to Dollywood for a late afternoon entry, that would also be good for entry the next day--a 1 1/2 day pass for the cost of 1 day. When we pulled in, the parking lots were packed. We were still smarting from the bumper-to-bumper traffic of the park so we turned around and high-tailed it to the safety of our camper.

We were at the gates bright and early the next day and spent the whole day there. Once again, the park was busy, but it is well designed and handled the crowds.

We never felt crowded and never had to wait to get into things we were interested in. We were even able to find a table to sit to eat lunch. (Confession: we weren't heading to the most popular wild roller coasters and thrill rides, which probably had the biggest crowds.)

It's good to be a kid in amusement parks. They keep finding ways to make them more fun.

The Lumberjack Band was a neat place for kids to play a variety of homespun instruments.

Dollywood has a playground area for kids to let off some steam in more ways than one. Water guns and a splash pad are a kid pleaser!

However, I nominate the Water Battle attraction as the most creative way to get kids in the action. Designed for adults and kids alike, boats follow a track through a pond, complete with sprinklers and fountains. However, the boats are equipped with water guns. The harder the kids turn the handle the farther the water shoots. If they hit a target, onlookers (in designated areas) can get blasted with water as well. No one gets off the boat dry.

Boats armed with water guns

People outside the ride could shoot water guns at those on the boats, too.

Larry took his turn aiming for the boats.

Heat Stroke prevented, and tempers cooled. But what do you do about those wet clothes?

You stand in a dryer, of course!

Innovation can be ingenious.

The last day we were there we went to The Island, a shopping district with a huge Ferris Wheel, and  other things for kids to do. I was impressed by the 3-story obstacle course for kids. It included zip lines, rope bridges, climbing nets, among other challenges. Participants wore a harness that attached to a line that guided them through the course. There was only one way to go. Onward and Upward. Each level contained new challenges.

Following the Guide Track

Hanging on the Zip-Line

Kids could go at their own speed. Some moved right along, while others had some hand wringing moments as they gathered the nerve to do the next thing. It took awhile for some, but I bet they felt pretty good about themselves the next day!

We had a lot fun in Pigeon Forge. Gatlinburg is as good as ever. And the Smokies are green.