by Justin
My Vacation
9:27 am in Daily Life by Justin
I am planing on spending August 2 through August 5 in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN area… in 2010. Ok, I know that is like a year and a half away, but it will take me that long to save enough money. It’s a big deal because it will be the first trip I have planned myself (not a family or church trip) and I wil be going with friends. I have been spending hours of research. Now I’m gonna turn some questions over to you. Any advice on what to do while there? On how to save money? Anything you could offer would be much appreciated!
On a side note, let me just say that hote reviews are crazy. The people seem to say the exact opposite from one review to the next. I don’t know what to beieve!
- Justin
Are you really living?
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Hi Justin!
Our family just returned from Gatlinburg! We had a wonderful time.
I’ll post some pix in the photos section sometime today if I get the chance (atheists understand that chance can, in fact, be a factor)
I always recommend a visit to Cade’s Cove while you’re in the area.
Get an early start, sunrise preferably, and get down there and see if you come across any black bears (remember NOT to mock any bald men you come across!).
The deer should be just about everywhere you look in the morning hours. Take some of the short hiking trails and check out all of the old wood frame churches, homes and barns as well. You and your friends should really appreciate that, as well as the history of that era and area.
If you’re up to it physically, there is a wonderful hike to Abram’s Falls which is 2.5 miles to the water fall (which means 2.5 miles back for you math majors paying attention) along some moderate to difficult trails aside the creek, up and around a fairly steep mountain (for us novices). The trails are not too narrow but you will find quite a few other trekkers along the path so be careful. If you have kids with you be prepared to carry one back on your shoulders. Oh…and make sure you either have film or camera batteries once you get to the falls, because you (or your significant other) will smack your head for not being prepared.
If you have some additional cash, Walden’s Creek stables has 1 hour, 2 hour and even longer guided horse back riding tours that are just awesome. I want to say that even the short trail is around $45.00 a person, though, so it may not fit in with your schedule. Bring your camera if you do go to Walden’s, because the views are awesome!
Stay away from the dinosaur museum in Pigeon Forge. Not that I don’t think you would be offended, it just is rather dull, not very extensive and too expensive for what is there.
The Dixie Stampede is fun, but expensive, and since we already have seen it once we’re not interested in doing it again.
I, personally, was disappointed to discover that the National Antique Mall is closed and out of business. They had an awesome collection of reasonably priced old books that contained many, many unique items not found for sale on the internet. I’ll post a picture of one I got a few years ago which was basically a repository of historical events and news stories during the first one hundred years after the founding of our American secular government. It is an original, classically bound first printing and a real treasure!
It is so interesting to read how events and “interpretation of events” were so similarly perceived by the folks of that time, just as popular news media and others do today.
Okay, there are also caverns everywhere so you may also be interested in them as well. The one in Sevierville has old whiskey stills in it and the tiniest of bats. The stone structures within the twisting caves are just marvelous and their gift shop filled with authentic crafts (and some inauthentic crap) may set you back a bit if you’re not diligent with your money.
When we were up there last week we noticed a new place called “WonderWorks” which was just the coolest thing we’ve seen in quite awhile. I could go into a long dissertation on how much fun it was, but I’ll just link you to their site and let you decide for yourself.
WonderWorks
Please budget wisely and drive carefully, Justin.
If you need advice on getting there, we have a great shortcut that will take you through some wonderful areas in east Tennessee and avoiding the bigger, more congested traffic areas.
Steve Schlicht
Biloxi MS
PS Oh yeah, get thyself to the Apple Barn (near WonderWorks) and try their apple turnovers…oh man, those things are delicious!
Here is the link to WonderWorks:
http://www.wonderworkstn.com/
Steve
Thanks Steve. This has been very very helpful.
You ought to swing by Chattanooga while your at it. Its a beautiful Southeastern city, lots to do and see.