We moved over to the Prevost shop in Nashville where as owners we have complimentary hookup, free laundry, and acess to the customer lounge anytime. While there we had some air valves replaced, caught up with laundry and took advantage of the big screen TV to keep on top of Hurricane Sandy. Our hearts go out to all of the displaced people in NY. Enjoyed the CMA award show as we had seen several of the stars at other venues this trip. Have now had a few days to recoup and are down the road to Pigeon Forge this AM. At 10:00 it is already 60F. Into firs & pines, lots of bronzed trees and wineries. Lunch at the Crossville rest area then moved clocks ahead one hour. Really heavy highway traffic from Knoxville to Pigeon Forge where we checked into Creekside RV (Passport America) at 4:15 69F. What a sight coming through town with all the neon lights, bill boards, restaurants, motel/hotels, trolleys, mini golfs, race cars, waterslides, etc.
Nov 3/ 2012
We rode the trolley around several routes through town ($.50 per zone) and spent all afternoon at Dollywood. Glad we went there but found it expensive and really geared for families with children to enjoy all the amusement rides and games. It was the last day open (closing for a week to switch over to the Christmas shows) but we did get to 4 gospel shows and the Gospel Hall of Fame. Had the opportunity to tour through Dolly"s private coach (1994 Prevost). We stopped at J.T.Hannah's for steak dinner before taking the trolley back to the park. JT's was an original warehouse in the early 1800s which had a lunchroom for the employees. As word got out about the great quality of the food it became open to the public in 1930. Lots of old tools ,implements and photos, AND the food was great !!
Nov 4/ 2012
We started the day at Smith Family Theatre at an all you can eat breakfast buffet, 2 for $4.95 including pancake & omelette station. There was an interactive "character" performance for the younger folks. We drove up to Cades Cove, an 11 mile loop in the Smoky Mountains 25 miles from here. We stopped at a few old homes from the early 1800s (Civil War times ??), a cemetary containing many infant graves, a couple of old churches and the Cable Mill farm, an interpretive farm with a working forge, a grist mill, a sorghum mill, stables, corn cribs, and several old impliments. It was a beautiful drive but on a twisty narrow road with hundreds of Sunday drivers enjoying the autumn colours. Apparently the Smoky Mountains get their name from the mist that comes off the trees -considered a real rain forest. Once back to Gatlinburg, we went to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede dinner show, held in a huge arena seating 1100 people. Dinner was interesting as we were not given any cutlery. We were served creamy vegetable soup, biscuit, cornish game hen, smoked pork, 1/2 potato, 1/2 corn on cob, apple turnover and sweet tea. The show was spectacular- 12 equestrians representing the North & the South (we were from the North) and competing for each side of the arena with plenty of screaming support and stomping of feet when hands were full of food. Great fun. Also entertaining was the chicken chase by 4 little audience members and the piglet races and a bit of magic.
The Christmas Story was magical with the Nativity dropping down from the rafters and including sheep, goats, donkeys and 3 wisemen on real camels. Angels were flying, along with the white dove. The lighting and sound were fantastic and we sat under real man-made falling snow. Of course Santa arrived by horse drawn sleigh and we were served by his elves. There was a pre-show put on by a trio of country musicians called Tennessee Ruckus, all very accomplished on several stringed instruments and sang harmony well. Lots of humour added in as well.
Nov 5/ 2012
Norm made a big pot of soup before we went off to spend the day at the Tanger Outlet Mall, one of several outlet malls in the area. We definitely got our walking in at this place. Stopped at KT's Bar & Grill for a pizza before tackling another shift out there. On our way back to the park we stopped at The Incredible Christmas Place, a huge Bavarian style village open year round with over 65 decorated trees and themes for every occasion. Included is a candy shop, a floral shop, a train ride, a personalizing shop and anything else Christmas !!! Then home to a nice hot bowl of soup :) and put our feet up :)
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