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

[luvnwdwgal]

I'm jealous of your energy! DH loves to go hiking, up hills, down hills, whatever.......me...uhhhhhh.....no. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[christiejay]

[ QUOTE ]
What a trooper Joshua is to keep up on those trails!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I really was proud of Joshua, because he never once complained about the walking. I was worried because before the trip, I took him a few places where we could walk, to try and get him used to it, because I knew we'd be doing lots of trails over the course of the week. And he kept saying he was tired and was ready to go back home. But once we were on the trip, he was fine. I guess it was a change of scenery or something. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[christiejay]

Right past this stop (Fall Hollow) was another that we made before it got too dark - Swan View Overlook, milepost 392. We didn't get out as it was so dark a picture wouldn't have turned out, but we were able to see from the overlook. Naturally, we passed up the next few stops as it was too dark - there was just enough light to make out the house at one stop, and a barn at another. During this section of the drive, it was getting dark enough that we could make out lots and lots of fireflies on the side of the road. Jay said something about trying to get a picture by putting his camera on the tripod and leaving the shutter open, so we pulled over at the Baker Bluff Overlook, milepost 405, for him to try.


If you look really hard at the very center of the picture, you might be able to make out a few yellowish-looking dots or lines. Those are the fireflies! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

It appeared that by leaving the shutter open, it let in too much light and the picture didn't turn out. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] It was definitely not that light outside when we were stopped there, and Jay was very concerned that a car would drive by and their headlights would mess up the shot. But nobody drove by - it was very quiet.

Finally, we ran out of daylight and time, and headed on to the end of the Trace at milepost 444. Here we took Highway 100 east into Nashville, and turned right on Old Hickory Boulevard. This road sort of makes a loop around the south end of town and takes you past some beautiful homes (mansions) in the process - the Harpeth Hills area. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] We took this road over into Brentwood and started looking for the intersection of I-65. Soon we were there and it took a little longer to reach the hotel than what I had thought - we had to turn right, then left, to go under the interstate. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] The directions the hotel emailed me said that the hotel would be on the right. Well, they didn't say how far on the right, and I was beginning to wonder about it until shortly we drove into another section of hotels and office buildings. Very nice area to stay in, lots of suite hotels and quiet. We were staying at the StudioPLUS, which I had booked online. Since the room was in my name, I went inside to check in. The lady at the desk was on the phone (personal call) when I arrived, but once she finished she was very nice. I went back to the truck and we grabbed as much stuff as we could carry and went up to the room. Unfortunately, there was just enough left that it would take 2 people to manage it, and we couldn't leave Joshua by himself, so we all had to go back for one more small load. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Our room was on the third floor, and there wasn't an elevator, but because the check-in office was on a split level, there was only 1 ½ flights of stairs to climb. We went up a few steps to a lounge area with a couch and TV, then turned and went up a long flight of stairs to the 3rd floor. Our room was at the end of the hall. I was very nervous walking down the hallway, as the smell of smoke was very strong, and even though we had a non-smoking room I thought some of the smell would still get in the room from the hallway. But I couldn't smell it when I opened the door, so everything was fine. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Our room was pretty nice, it was just very much in need of a remodeling and some new furniture - you could see that it had been in service for a number of years. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] When you walked in, there was a door to the very tiny bathroom, then a mirror and dresser to the right, and then the doorway to the kitchen:



My main complaint with the bathroom was that the vanity was so small, there was hardly no counter space around the sink, and they did not provide you with a shelf. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] I squeezed in as much as I could in the corners and hung my small bag on the robe hooks on the back of the door. Straight ahead when you entered was the dining table, behind which was the sleeper sofa and TV.


This was where Joshua slept.

And in the back corner was the bed - there was a pass-through window between here and the kitchen.


The area around the bed was pretty cramped, but the bed itself was comfortable.

So overall we were pleased with the room. For only $60 I thought it was quite a bargain. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] We pulled out the sleeper and got Joshua in bed, then I laid out all our clothes for tomorrow, put the ice packs in the freezer, and decided to put everything that was in the cooler into the refrigerator, as the cooler didn't seem all that cool. This also gave me a chance to wipe out the cooler from where all the things inside it had "sweated" during the drive up. Finally it appeared that all was set up for the next morning, and I took a bath and went to bed.

Next up: Day 2- Our Journey Continues

[lauren-roxy]

Another great update Christie!! What a great deal on the room!! Can't wait for more!!

[DrDolphin]

WOW!!! I just caugnt up with your report!! I remember driving part of the Trace in Louisiana at dusk one time (scared the Dickens out of me)!! Your photos look beautiful and it seems like a great place to visit (although the snake I could definately do without!!)!!

[Meggera]

Another great update!

Laura

[christiejay]

[ QUOTE ]
Your photos look beautiful and it seems like a great place to visit (although the snake I could definately do without!!)!!

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] Yes, I was definitely ready to leave when I saw that - thank goodness it was at the end of the trail and we were right next to the truck!

[christiejay]

Day 2 - Saturday, July 1

We all slept pretty well during the night, and woke up refreshed and ready to go, well, Joshua was moving a little slow. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] This hotel doesn't offer a breakfast (I guess because each room has its own kitchen), so the plan was for us to eat a quick breakfast in the room and start reloading everything into the truck (food, drinks, the cooler and our overnight bag). The problem was, my brain failed me on our packing day, as I soon realized I had forgotten to put some breakfast food for me and Joshua into our "miscellaneous" box. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] However, that box did contain Jay's apple fritters, so he ate his breakfast while Joshua and I got dressed and packed up. When Jay finished eating, he made one trip down to the truck, then when he got back we all got the rest of our things together and went downstairs. I let Jay check us out at the front desk while I found some breakfast for me and Joshua, and we ate in the truck. We finally got on the road at 7:50, 50 minutes behind schedule! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

We made it through Nashville without any problem and took I-40 East toward Knoxville. Coming into Crossville about 90 minutes later, we stopped for gas. Because we were so far off my very detailed itinerary, I decided we would just eat our snack in the truck instead of stopping at the rest area on the interstate as planned. So Joshua and I used the restroom while Jay pumped the gas, then Jay used the restroom while I pulled out our last of the pre-prepared snack bags and passed around food for everybody. Yes, I had cereal for my snack today, too, and it was quite a challenge to do that in a truck while driving down the road! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] The rest of our drive into Knoxville was uneventful, and we were soon pulling into the parking lot for the Knoxville Zoo. http://www.knoxville-zoo.org/ If you are planning a visit here, I highly recommend their web site, as it is full of very useful information. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

We had made up a little time on the road, and I was glad since I was getting hungry, and I knew we'd be eating shortly after entering the zoo. We paid our parking fee and happily found a parking spot on the upper level, where we could walk to the entrance instead of having to wait on a tram. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] As I mentioned, we get free admission here since we have a Friends membership at our local zoo. So after a minute to get our free tickets at the ticket booth, and a quick stop at the restroom, we were ready to see some animals! Right at the entrance is a wonderful exhibit called Black Bear Falls:








There are a couple of tunnel areas at this exhibit, and I convinced Joshua to go through the tunnel, to where Jay was waiting on the other end - the above two pictures are the "before" and "after" shots. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]




I relish my role as official trip navigator! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

After the bear exhibit, we looked at the penguins,



toured the Exhibit Center (naked mole rats this time), and walked through the aviary:







Next we looked at the prairie dogs, then passed by the burro rides and camel rides. We thought we would get some lunch at Mildred's Place, but it was just a small snack bar and about the only thing they had was hot dogs, which Joshua didn't want, so we kept going. We went inside the elephant house for a few minutes of air conditioning, then went back out to see the elephants and giraffes:





Up next: more of our zoo visit

[Meggera]

I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] zoos and try to visit one everywhere we go. I have never been to the Knoxville Zoo. I will have to go some time. Your pics are great!

Laura

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Christie!! We have one of those zoo passes also and they really come in handy!! Great photos from your zoo visit!! Can't wait for more!!

[christiejay]

Finally we had made it to the Safari Grill, the zoo's main food location, which I am happy to report has a few tables inside. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] We waited patiently for one of these, then sat down to eat. Jay had the big burger combo with a Coke, I had a slice of cheese pizza (since they didn't have any pepperoni ready) and shared Jay's Coke, and Joshua had a PB&J and a Coke. It was all wonderful and soon we were giving up our table to somebody else happy to sit inside, and we headed back out onto the trails to look for more animals.



The restaurant marks the beginning of a loop at one end of the zoo, and on this loop we found some lazy lions, tigers and cheetahs, and some active gorillas and chimps. Their chimp exhibit is very nice.







Completing our loop, we took the nature trail back toward the front of the zoo. We didn't come this route the last time we were here, so I thought it would just be a trail. Which, it kind of was because there were no animal exhibits, but all along the way were signs telling you about all the official state animals, etc. of Tennessee. So if you wanted to stop and read them, the trail could be interactive and educational, but we decided to keep walking as it was very hot today and we were starting to get tired.

Arriving back at the entrance to the zoo, we walked the loop at this end, where we saw the rhinos, then continued on to the back to see the otters and tortoises:





While going through the reptile exhibits, Joshua let me know that he needed to use the bathroom, so we had to spend a few minutes in there - at least we were the only ones and it was nice and quiet - Joshua hates to hear the toilets flushing because he says it's too loud! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] When we went back out to find Jay, we discovered that he had bought us a cherry slush puppy to share. That tasted great! We took turns eating/drinking it as we continued our tour past the turtles and condors:



The only thing left to do at the zoo was the new Kid's Cove area, which was not quite ready to open on our last visit. I had been eager to see what it looked like, and the zoo map showed lots of activities, but we were starting to run out of time and really wanted to get back on the road. One thing we couldn't miss, however, was riding the carousel, as Joshua had already spotted it.



It cost $2 apiece to ride, or $5 for 3 people, so Jay decided that all of us could ride. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] After our ride, we went inside one area of the Kids Cove, the Barn, as the entrance to it was across from the carousel. Inside were mice and owls (not in the same enclosure! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] ), animals that would normally live in a barn. There were several exhibits, but Joshua was getting cranky because he hadn't had a nap, so we didn't stay long. The rest of the Kids Cove area was down the hill, and was kind of hidden (in a cove [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] ), so we just didn't mention that part to Joshua and he never saw it. There were lots of neat-looking things there (aviary, sand box, farmyard, pond, playground, etc.), but we didn't have the time to properly devote to it this time - something else to add to our list of things to do on our next trip. So we headed for the exit with me hoping Joshua would get a nap once we got to the truck (which never happened, by the way [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] ).



We were back on the interstate within a few minutes, excited to know that we would soon be at our destination! Unfortunately, the happy feelings didn't last too long, as we ran into a major traffic jam. At first I thought that the traffic had backed up due to a wreck, but it soon became apparent that the traffic consisted of everybody else in the country who had decided to visit the Smoky Mountains for the 4th of July like we had! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] Boy, oh boy, it took us 30 minutes to drive 5 miles, and I am not exaggerating - I took careful notes just for my trip report! Then once we finally got to our exit, the traffic did not let up one bit due to all the traffic lights on this road. However, I was determined to still stop at all the Visitor Centers on our way in to pick up brochures and look for coupons, so Jay agreed. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] First up was the Sevierville Visitor Center. It was kind of hard to find it as it had just been completed and looked as if it might still be under construction. At the entrance driveway was a handwritten sign that said "We are open - use the back entrance", so we pulled around back and I hopped out and went inside. The facility was nice, I picked up a few brochures, then went back to the truck.

We made our way back onto the road in the midst of all the traffic and tried to drive in the left-hand lane for a while, thinking that it might move a little faster. It did, but not by much. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] It still took us a very long time to make our way through Sevierville. Jay kept asking if we were in Pigeon Forge yet, and I kept saying no, we're only halfway through Sevierville! While in traffic we were at least able to locate the theater where we would be seeing a show tomorrow night, and the mini-golf course where we would be playing on the 4th. Before leaving the city limits of Sevierville we made our way back into the right-hand lane so we could stop at the Pigeon Forge Welcome Center at their city limits. Once again, I hopped out, picked up a few brochures, and went back to the truck.

Our next stop was in the very next parking lot, the theater for the Black Bear Jamboree show. Their lobby is also the location of Discount Show Tickets, the company we ordered our show tickets from. http://discountshowtickets.com/ If you're interested in seeing a show in the area, check them out. Not all of their prices are much of a savings, but sometimes you can get a really good deal - it just depends on which show you want to see. All we had to do was go in and pick up the vouchers - they were in Jay's name so I let him do that. The parking lot was all full because there was a show going on at the moment, so we just parked at the curb by the front door like some other people were doing. It took quite a while for Jay to get back with the vouchers - he reported that there was a woman holding up the line because she kept coming up with more and more questions to ask the attendant. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] Finally it was his turn and it took no time at all for them to get our vouchers to him. We got back on the road and took our place in the bumper-to-bumper traffic.

We had planned on visiting the Dinosaur Walk Museum this evening on our way into town, but it closes at 6:00 every day (way too early imho) and the traffic had tied us up so much that we didn't have time to stop. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] So that went on standby for another day and we kept driving, to eat supper at KFC in Pigeon Forge as originally planned for after the Dinosaur museum. We again drove in the left-hand and center lanes which were moving a little faster, and as we made our way through Pigeon Forge we could see that the traffic was starting to thin out a little bit. For supper Jay had a 2-piece meal, I had a bowl meal and Joshua had a drumstick kid's meal. I had seen those bowl meals advertised, but I didn't think that I would like eating all that stuff mixed together - chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and cheese. I had commented on that to Jay's sister before we went on the trip, and she told me that they were actually very good. I guess I was pretty hungry by this time, because it sounded good enough at that point for me to order. And I'm happy to report that I did like it! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Next up: We Finally Arrive in Gatlinburg!

[Meggera]

Too bad you didn't get to see the Dinosaur Walk Museum. And heavy traffic just stinks, doesn't it? We got stuck in Greensboro, NC, one time...it took us 2 hours to drive 1 mile. I am NOT exaggerating!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] There had been a huge tanker that had turned over, and there was a chemical spill everywhere. It was a nightmare! Luckily, once we were able to get to the exit ramp (one mile up the road), we used our handy dandy Rand McNally map to use backroads to get back to I85 further down the road. I hope that never happens again.

Look forward to reading more!

Laura

[mtstranscribe]

I live very close to Gatlinburg and if you want to drive a little farther, you can get to Gatlinburg at the other end and totally bypass Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge is fun and there is lots to do, but id rather drive to it from Gatlinburg and traffic isnt as heavy. As you get into Knoxville get on 40 and go towards Maryville or the Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport (smoky mts exit) to 129. Drive straight through Maryville towards Townsend (called the peaceful side of the Smokies). It will take about an hour to get to Gatlinburg from Maryville but the drive through the National Park is just gorgeous with plenty of water falls, picnic spots, etc. No commercialism ruining the views this way once you are in the park. You can also go to Cades Cove from here, one of the most beautiful places to go. Driving this way will bring you right onto the main road into Gatlinburg. Also, if you want to go to Dollywood and not get stuck in as bad traffic, when you get to the light in Sevierville instead of turning right at the Walgreen's to go towards Pigeon Forge (you can see the courthouse copper top from here), go straight through the redlight onto Dolly Parton Pkwy. A mile or so up the road on the right, there is a sign for the back way into Dollywood. Much easier!

[TroianRae]

Great update, Christie!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

WOW, Joshua looks like he has GROWN!!!!!!!!!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[Grammy Grumpy]

Great update(s)! Just got caught up. Thanks also to the info on easier/faster ways to get around mtstranscribe!