Tennessee Trip~Part 3

The morning after we arrived in Pigeon Forge, we received an awesome surprise! 

Our friends 

Clyde & Sandy 

came driving up just as we were 
emerging from our RVs for the day!

They decided just a few days before to hop on a plane and come join us. Very cool! In addition to that, they found a hotel just 3 miles up the road from the RV park. Perfect.

After visiting the first day, we drove to the Chimney picnic area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park the next morning. 

The park is stunning! 

It screamed photo ops!

Is that a peace sign Clyde is 

holding up behind George's head?

Nothing like some good ole camaraderie!

Photo bomber!

Coordinating his watch and phone, 

George was able to take a group selfie

from the picnic table. Go George!

A pretty upshot!

Would you believe that over 
2100 miles of streams and rivers 
run through the 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park? 

It's true.
The park is an amazing place!

Below is part of the stream in the 

Chimney picnic area. 

Gentle and clear, it sits off to one side.

Joe ventures out onto the rocks.

Don't tell us girls not to block the gate!
We'll buck the system!

But if a hostile ant or spider 
tries to overtake us, all bets are off!

The guys were roaming in another area so 

Linda, Sandy and I hiked a short way up a path
which started with steps that led up a hill.

Through the trees is a picnic 
area we pass on the way.

The guys were just walking up as 

we reached the stairs to exit the path.

After the Smokies, we ventured into Gatlinburg.

The Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine 
joint was our first stop.  

We sampled a few of their flavors.

Some were good,
(like the Java one)  

some were moonshiney.
After all, it is a moonshine place.

Tennessee knows how to  
do up festive fall vignettes. 

This cute display was 
outside the moonshine place.

 Starbucks and the Paula Deen store 

are around the corner from the 

Ole Smoky Moonshine place.

The open area above is the 

Mellow Mushroom

where we had a tasty lunch and

 some interesting conversation.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next day, we ventured back into 

Gatlinburg for lunch at Blaine's Grill & Bar. 

They serve up some super yummy food! 

That's Blaine's on the corner.

After lunch, Sandy, Linda and I walked down to the fall Craftsmen's Fair (they have one in the spring as well). It was being held in the convention center, a block or two away. The guys headed to Sevierville to visit some "man stores." 

After the Craftsmen's Fair, we strolled through some of Gatlinburg's shops. 

According to my phone, we walked 7,252 steps that day. It felt good but I confess that I was all walked out by the time we quit! I think we all were.

Harpoon Harry's Crab House 
was our dinner stop. 

It's an outstanding restaurant in Pigeon Forge. 

If you want some tasty seafood 

and a very cool atmosphere, 

then Harpoon Harry's is the place to go!

We asked to sit upstairs (there are three floors) but it wasn't open. Turned out, the upstairs is only open Thursday through Sunday so we planned to come back Thursday. 

That's the end of Part 3.
The final part is next.
Until then, take care y'all!

Smiles,

D~~~~

Catching Up~TN~Smoky Mountains, Part 4

During our time in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area, we spent two days in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a place that makes my heart go pitter patter! 

The first day, we took a 

picnic lunch and the dogs.  

Our picnic area was near a beautiful stream.

More delightful views from our picnic table.

We stopped to take in the view of 

Gatlinburg on our way out of the Park.

Another day, we drove to Cades Cove, a completely different area in the Park. We even saw a couple of black bear cubs on the way into Cades Cove. They were headed out of a meadow and into the woods. I wasn't fast enough to get a good photo before they disappeared into the tall trees! Darn it!

We toured neat old cabins.

and churches

and the cemeteries behind the churches.

We explored a cantilever barn.

Walked in fields.

And savored the breathtaking views.

I was able to slowly walk up to 

this deer and take her photo.

Can you see her in the midst of the trees?

I got very close!

After the Smokies 

(and throughout the trip), 

we discovered neat little stores 

on quaint country roads.

I'm sharing random pics from various stores.

These doors are too cool!

I didn't get the name of this store.

As I said in a previous post, 

every day was a perfect weather day, 

and it was the end of October!

This Moonshine Ridge Country Store and Cafe 
was one of the fun places we browsed.

Wonderful Geo.

Autumn festive!

Christmas festive!

Yummy goods!

Peaceful porches.

Birdhouses and other outdoor wares

for sale on the porch.

As well as comfy, cozy chairs for porch sitting.

We saw lots of cute doggies on our trip.

Here are two favorites.

If you missed the previous posts of our 

Tennessee trip, here are the links:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

I hope you enjoyed the trip!

I have plenty more catching up 

to do so there's more to come.

Smiles,

D~~~~