Our Gatlinburg Adventure (COMPLETE!) *** Conclusion added 10-07-06 *** About This Page:

[Meggera]

Phew! I'm glad Joshua was okay! Great pictures.

Laura

[luvnwdwgal]

Great pics! Keep it coming!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[christiejay]

After eating and taking a bathroom break, we were finally ready to tackle the Clingman's Dome Trail.



This trail is something we always do, in the hopes that we'll have an awesome view at the top. The trail is only ½ mile long and paved, but deceptively steep. It's just a gradual ascent, but it doesn't let up. Plus at 6600 elevation, you get tired pretty quickly! As usual, Jay went off and left me. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] At first he kept waiting for me but I guess that got old after a while and he just kept going. Joshua was with him, and I later learned that toward the top of the trail Joshua got into a silent "race" with a little girl on the trail - she was tired, but didn't want to be outdone by Joshua, so they kept pulling in front of each other. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] On my way up, meanwhile, I stopped at a couple of the benches along the way to rest, and read from the guidebook I had bought earlier this morning. The book tells about things like geology, animals and logging. I found it pretty funny that the numbered stops were in most cases keyed to the benches along the trail - it's like they know you need to stop and rest, so they give you something to read while you do so! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

Finally I arrived at the summit and promptly complained to Jay about him leaving me on the trail. "I could have passed out for all you know!"


The observation tower atop Clingman's Dome


Here I am at the base of the tower - I was looking for the survey marker that the book mentioned, but never did find it.


The top of the observation tower


The view from the top of the tower

While atop the tower we tried to match up what we were seeing with the circular diagram of landmarks inside the booklet. I also learned that the first tower built here was constructed of wood by the CCC, and replaced by this tower in 1960. There were several CCC camps within the Park, and they did a lot of the road and bridge work that is still in existence. Some of the trails in the park go past the old campsites.


Joshua coming back down the ramp


Jay stayed up top to take this picture of me and Joshua at the bottom


All the dead hemlocks along the trail [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]


A view of the parking lot from the trail - it looks like snow in this picture, but it's not.

We finally arrived back at the parking lot and began the long trek back to the truck. Once there, we headed back out toward Newfound Gap Road, but had one more stop to make while out here. We were watching very carefully at each parking area along the road so we didn't miss it - the Spruce-fir Nature Trail. This is something else we didn't get around to doing last time - the trail appeared to be too muddy then and we bypassed it. But this time we stopped, and it became one of my favorite places in the whole Park! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]



This trail, as its name implies, goes through a spruce-fir forest alongside Clingman's Dome Road, although you don't really hear any road noise. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] It is a 3/4 mile loop, and level. For the majority of the trail there are raised wooden planks to walk on, so it's very easy going. And my favorite thing about the trail - because they have to keep the trail clear they periodically trim back branches all along the way. And because it is spruce-fir trees they are trimming back, the whole trail smells just like Christmas! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]


This is the root system of a tree that has fallen. It's hard to see clearly, but I found it very interesting.


You learn in the trail brochure that when trees fall, they become "nurse logs" as other trees sprout and grow on top of them. Then as they decay, the tree growing out of them is left with a hole in the bottom, giving it the nickname of "stilt tree". This is a wonderful example of that.

This trail was over way too soon, and we loaded up the truck again.

We soon reached Newfound Gap Road again, and pulled into the Newfound Gap parking lot. It was almost completely full, but we found a place in the back.



The survey marker at Newfound Gap

After locating the survey marker along the sidewalk we went over to the platform. This is where FDR gave a speech for the park dedication ceremony in 1940. This is a nice place to stop - great views, restrooms, and access to the Appalachian Trail. Last time we were here we walked a short portion of it, but not this time. We went on top of the platform and took a few pictures. Here's one of the main view from the platform:




This is a close-up of the Clingman's Dome observation tower from Newfound Gap.

After a few minutes more, we went back to the truck and headed back to the resort. Jay pulled over once at a stream exhibit, because I thought it would be something to take a picture of, but it was just a sign telling about stream life. We kept driving down the mountain, and Joshua got a short nap along the way.

Up next: A bad supper experience and a wonderful show experience

[Meggera]

Great update. Wow! What a trek! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] The observatory looked really cool.

Laura

[christiejay]

[ QUOTE ]
Great update. Wow! What a trek! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] The observatory looked really cool.

Laura

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, the visibility that day was actually *pretty* good, considering it was the middle of summer and all the air pollution, etc. I'm sure it could have been better, though. I didn't mention it in the report, but it was kind of depressing to be up there above everything and to see so many dead hemlocks. Very sad. They've found a solution that seems to help kill the bugs that are killing the trees, but it has to be applied to trees individually. Can you imagine that task? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

[DyanKJ130]

I've been enjoying your report! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] the beautiful pictures too!

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Christie!! Very cool observation tower!! Wonderful pictures!! Can't wait for more!!!!

[DrDolphin]

Great update, with great photos!

[piratelady]

We just love taking the Trace tours. Sometimes we go south and sometimes north. If we need a little road trip to lift our spirits we just have a Trace day; pack some snacks and take off. The last time we went to Gatlinburg we went all the way to Nashville. We camped at the last campground. It stormed all night and the tent leaked. It was a bonding experience. Glad you had a good trip. Can't wait to see the rest.
Necie

[Colexis Mom]

Just getting caught up Christie [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] What fantastic pictures (love the ones from the zoo and that observatory [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] )!

More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[GoofyMom]

Boy you guys are sure getting your exercise on this trip! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[christiejay]

[ QUOTE ]
The last time we went to Gatlinburg we went all the way to Nashville.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's good to know that we're not the only ones! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[christiejay]

After arriving back at the resort, I sent Joshua into the bedroom in hopes of him getting more of a nap. Unfortunately, his few minutes of sleep in the truck had so energized him that he wasn't able to fall back to sleep. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] When I realized this, I told Jay we should just go ahead and get ready for supper. So I got my shower and we all changed into some nicer clothes, as we were going to a show tonight. The theater for the show is in Sevierville, and we had planned to eat supper somewhere in Pigeon Forge on the way to the show. We took a few minutes to decide, then settled on the Great American Steak & Buffet.

We arrived at the restaurant about 5:30, and I would suggest that you never do so, at least not during the busy season! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] We had to wait in line at the front door to pay, then once we paid, we had to wait in line to be taken to a table. Finally, we had a table! We agreed to sit in the smoking section or else we would have had to wait even longer. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

Once at our table, I went to get Joshua some food. Unfortunately, so did everybody else and I had to wait quite a while just to get a plate, then wait some more to make my way through the buffet line. Joshua had requested a hot dog, so I got him one, plus I put some potato salad on his plate for me to eat because I was starving. When I finally got back to the table, Jay went to get some food. I was surprised at how quickly he came back, and he said he went to the other side of the buffet where there was no line. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] So that's what I did this time, as I went back to the buffet and got me and Joshua some pizza, and I think I got some vegetables for myself but I'm not real sure at this point. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] We each also got a dessert off the buffet. Overall we weren't that impressed with this place. Of course, if we didn't have to wait so long for everything, we might have had a more favorable impression. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] We just felt that the food was only mediocre. I guess that's about right for a very busy buffet, though.

After eating, we headed up the road to Sevierville to see the Fixin' 2 Rain show at the Governor's Palace Theater. When we arrived there was only about 20 minutes left until showtime, which meant that the preshow had already started. I was scared that the show would be very crowded, but there was hardly anybody there! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] That made it easy to find a parking place, and I sent Jay ahead to trade in our vouchers for tickets at the "Will Call" window inside. Then we all went in and found our seats. We were on the 6th row in the center section, right next to the aisle - great seats! The preshow entertainment was James Rogers - he was great! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] He performs at Dollywood, so some of you might have heard him before. He also has some CD's out as well as some children's books.

Then the show started, and it was great! Not quite what I was expecting, but we all loved it. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] I had expected a retelling of the Noah story. Noah was in the show, but it wasn't just that. There were other story lines to follow, too. The story was set in the 1930's Smoky Mountains. They're having a drought and hoping for rain, and Noah is building a boat in his back yard. Well, I won't tell the whole story, I'll save that for in case you go to see it yourself. I will say that the cast did a great job. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/applause.gif[/img] They take an intermission about 2/3 of the way through the show to bring the ark out on stage. Just before intermission, the animals come through the theater on their way to the stage. The animals are large puppets (think Lion King) controlled by the cast and they stop all along the way for the kids to interact with the animals - a great touch. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] This theater lets you have all the popcorn you want for free, which is nice. During intermission, Jay went to get us a bag to share, and a Coke as well. The bottled Coke was only $2 - I was surprised, as I thought it would have been more. Anyway, the show continues with everybody on the ark and has a hilarious scene in this section featuring a traveling preacher. (This is just one of the characters played by James Rogers in the show.)

After the show, the cast hangs around the lobby of the theater for a while to talk to all the guests, something else I thought was nicely done. Oh, and I forgot, when you first come in the theater they have a backdrop set up in case you want to get a picture made. (We didn't.) We looked around the gift shop for a while and decided to buy the CD from the show since we liked it so well. I also picked out a T-shirt which turned out to be the best bargain of the trip - it had embroidery and a leather patch on it, but was only $11! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] Jay didn't want anything from here, and I decided not to get Joshua anything here either (it was mainly stuffed animals and T-shirts), so we paid for those two items. I kept overhearing the cashiers telling people that they were getting a free gift with their purchase. We looked in our bag when we got to the truck (Jay said it was very heavy) and discovered a crystal display with a base. The crystal had Come Celebrate America etched in it - that's the main show that plays in this theater. And the base had a multi-color LED light in it so that it lights up the crystal from beneath. Very nice. We then headed back to the resort and went to bed. I was excited that we had done so much today, and that we so enjoyed all the things we did.

Next up: Day 4, More National Park Experiences

[Colexis Mom]

Other than the crowd at the restaurant, it sounds like a great night Christie [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] I'm glad you enjoyed the show, and got the freebie too [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

[Meggera]

Sounds like a fun day. More please!

Laura