Back from the Smokies!!!

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

What a wonderful trip!! The colors were at their peak, and in some areas past peak but still lots of color. I put 1,000 miles on my car just driving around, altho a lot of it was done in the Fontana Dam area.

Wyndham's Smokey Wilderness LOdge was in just one word AMAZING!!! The rooms were imaculate and everyone was so friendly. The only maintenance issue was a stopped up toilet. I called and he was here faster than I got dressed. Less than 5 min. Wow.

I had plenty of room. The master br had a whirlpool which was great and the 2nd br had 2 queen beds. The kitchen was well equipped. My view was horrible, the parking lot but if I went out the back door they had a nice patio with a fire pit that overlooked the golf course.

I got lost in the parking lot and ended up at the golf course , not once but twice!!! LOL

The waterpark was amazing!!! A guest told me that he thought it was better than Dollywood's Splash Country. I liked the fact that you didn't have to walk a mile between rides. The wave pool was unreal, much different than Wet & Wild,lots of waves, a surfing area and 4 slides. Lots of lifeguards. Anyone withkids should really think of staying here. It was the first ts that Kelli said, how soon can we come back?

If you take the back road it's not to far to GSMNP but I would love to have this resort in the middle of Gatlinburg.

More to come. shaggy

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Speaking of Dollywood did you go? If so how far is it from where you stayed?

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Frank, we went twice. They have a deal, go in at 3pm or later & come back the next day free. It's not to far. DW is in the middle of Pigeon Forge. My big tip is to go to the Old Mill / Patriot Parking Lot and pick up the trolley for 50 cent each way. They will take you to Dollywood and let you out right near the entrance. Parking is $7.00 at DW so you can save some bucks .

I love Dollywood. It's not a big amusement park like Disney or 6 Flags but has tons of shows. Be sure to see James Rogers.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Rest of the Tennessee side.

While in Seiverville went to Dollywood twice. Go in at 3 and next day is free. First day did mostly rides and saw a couple of shows. Next day did mostly the shows, the main one & James Rogers. He is my fav and he did his story about Fluff in the dryer! They were having a big gospel show/series but we never got in. Their food at the park is much above average from other parks.

One day Kelli stayed at the waterpark and we went to the big craft show in Gatlinburg and afterwards to the Roaring Forks Nature Trail. It is so beautiful.
We also went to Cades Cove on the way to Fontana Village.

Ate at the Applewood Grill/Barn for lunch and it didn't feel right. We were facing the main street. The food was absolutely horrible and I've never had a bad meal in 20 years. The last day we went back to give them another chance, only to discover the original Apple Barn was right behind this one a little way down the road. The food was just wonderful. Told the mgr about the one out front and he acted surprised but was happy to know everything at this one was good. Just make sure you go to the original one , not the first one you come to.

We also ate at the Alamo Steak House (recommended by the Trolley stop driver) It was horrible!! We ordered prime rib and it was the last 2 cuts and was full of fat, more than normal, we had to send it back. I then ordered a rib eye which was also fattier than usual but I ate it cause I was hungry. Kelli ordered the filet mignon which was very good. We ate 2 meals (once coming in & one on the way home) at Paula Deens at Harrahs. Buffet the first time (very good) and 2nd time I shared the chicken pie with Kelli. It was absolutely gorgeous( lattice crust ) and it tasted even better than it looked. While there played a little bit of black jack. Broke even both times. We ordered pizza in one night and had to go to the front desk to meet them as they are not allowed to deliver the pizza to the room, so be warned.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Fontana Village/I Conquered the Dragon!! Minirally

Checked out of Wyndham Wilderness Lodge ( much to Kelli's dismay) and headed to Cades Cove and then on to Fontana. While in the cove we saw deer fighting, more deer, wild turkeys and 3 bears. It was crowded so we did a shortcut so we could get over the mountain before nightfall.

Boy am I glad we did!! Little did I know the only way there was thru the tale of the dragon, a renowned road that consisted of 338 curves in 11 miles that motorcycles & sports cars love to do. Thank goodness the road there seemed almost as bad and I was usedto the curves and put my car in sports mode and zipped right through it hardly touching the brakes . Kelli & Betty were having a blast, it's like riding a roller coaster. I did it three different times!! Who says 62 is old?

Stayed in an older 2br stand alone cottage. Very basicbut it more than sufficed. I asked about the ts units and she said they were more up to date and had a whirlpool and a fireplace. It is very remote but have tons of things to do. It would definitly be nice in the summer. Found a wonderful little diner done in bright blue & yellow. The cheesburgers were to die for, they were hand patted, not frozen. Ate there twice, also had a pork loin dinner that had real mash potatoes with lumps and all. Friday we went to Bryson City where I hiked to a smallish waterfall. It was level and not hard at all. Afterwards we went to the picnic at the mini ralley. There were over 70 mini's of all colors and designs. Followed a group of mini's back to Fontana resort, I felt like I was flying by the seat of my pants. Sat I did the Cherehola pkwy that ended with a beautiful waterfall and required no walking. Sun we said goodbye and stopped by Paula Deens again and I lost $10 playing blackjack.

I'm working on my pics now. shaggy

[catwgirl Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close catwgirl]

Leslie,

Sounds like a great trip!

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

It sounds like a very nice trip and with the beautiful fall colors too as well as nice accommodations.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Sounds like an awesome trip Shaggy.
Glad you had a good time.
Is the waterpark and indoor park?

[pkyorkbeach Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pkyorkbeach]

Sounds wonderful. Sometime I will travel there and see all these beautiful sites.

[fishingguy Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishingguy]

...one of our favorites

GSMNP is a fantastic area to visit in the fall. The colors, driving and scenery can be spectacular if you know where to go. Glad you got to sample it.

We try to get there at least a couple times a year, especially in the fall. The fly fishing and hiking is superb; and one of the best fly shops we've ever been to is in Townsend. They will give you all sorts of info on stuff besides fly fishing; trails, hikes, waterfalls, drives, wildlife, photo opportunities, etc.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I did not have a clue what this stood for.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
23 Aug 2011 – Official National Park Service website and information guide to America's most visited national park

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

Sounds wonderful! The Smokies are one of my favorite places on Earth. Last time we drove Cades Cove, there was no wildlife whatsoever, so I'm quite jealous of your animal sightings!

Thanks for the trip report, we'll be driving thru in a month or so, after prime leaf-peeping.

[Icc5 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Icc5]

June Bears

When we were there in June a baby bear was spotted and we were allowed a short time to stop and view it. A ranger was directing the traffic. A short distance from there we also spotted several deer and fawns.
Bart