EJ & Kevin's Tennessee Adventure

live2tell75 · May 21, 2007

This past week, Kevin and I flew up with one of my best friends, Amy and her fiancee Mike, to Chattanooga. We made the trip to visit with our best friend from high school, Amanda, her husband Brett and thier son Adrian. The main reasons we came up was for Adrain's third birthday party and to visit with wonderful friends. Also to visit Tennessee and Dollywood for the first time. The trip report starts off with our first day in Chattanooga visiting the downtown/riverwalk area. Chattanooga is such a small beautiful town. The riverwalk/Artists Bluff was gorgeous. The weather was such a nice change from the humid mid 90's Florida weather! It was actually kind of chilly at night for these Floridians! But we loved it!

So, I have never been a big video gamer, but thanks to Brett, I experienced wii, and Mike and I were pretty much hooked for most of the trip! Next up our 2 days at Dollywood!

With Kevin, what an amazing view! We loved Chattanooga!

Kind of arty.

Thought this was a cool pic.

Looking up into a cool gazebo.

At sunset, the sculpture gardens and museum areas were beautiful.

Our group. Love the view!

Our friends Brett, his son Adrian and Amy.

With my longtime friend Amy.

Our friends Amy and Mike.

In Chattanooga, Kevin and I love the mountains and hills! The only hills we have in Florida are the overpasses!

Louise · May 21, 2007

Nice pictures Eric, some gorgeous views there! Adrian looks like he's grown since that WDW PTR last year!

Looking forward to seeing the Dollywood pictures!

moinab · May 21, 2007

We drove up to visit friends in Chattanooga, last summer. It is very pretty! We had a great time at the Farmers' Market, downtown - they were featuring live bluegrass music.

Cameron · May 21, 2007

That steel bridge with the brick support columns is awesome!

And as for "the only hills we have in Florida are overpasses", it can't be more flat than Illinois and Indiana ..!

Cameron.

live2tell75 · May 22, 2007

So on Thursday we drove up to Pigeon Forge in the morning and hit the outlet malls and Dollywood. We decided to hit Dollywood at 3pm to take advantage of the next day free pass. After 3, the park was pretty empty. Our overall impression of Dollywood was good. It really had a nice charm to the park. Kevin and I thought the park had a cozyiness of Knott's. We all loved the way it was set in the mountains and the woods. The park gets my vote as one my top ten most beautiful parks. The staff, as many have stated before, were super friendly. I can't wait to visit again in the future.

Since it was warm out, we did all the water rides. Mountain Sidewinder was pretty wet, and fast! I loved Rampage, a great rapids ride through the wilderness. Dare Devil Falls was a nice flume, one of the better ones I have been on. We also hit Tennessee Tornado, which was lot of fun and forceful! Since I am a big dark ride dork, I liked Blazing Fury. The only ride we were all not thrilled with was Smokey Mountain Wilderness Adventure simulator ride. I think because we were in the front/bottom part of the theater it seemed very blurry. Checked out the Chasing Rainbows Dolly Museum. I must say I was impressed, it was a pretty large museum/exhibit. So here are the photos from day one. Day two will be comming soon!

Lines for the day were pretty empty. Next up day 2 at Dollywood.

Even though Tennesse Tornado was kind of short, it was really good! Had quite a kick! Loved the drop into the shack/tunnel.

Mike, Brett, Kevin and I loved Mountain Sidewinder, even though we got soaked! With our combined weight, we flew down the mountain!

We all felt Dollywood had a cozy nice charm.

I loved Rampage! One of the best rapid rides I have been on. Loved the scenery. Even I fell for the fake-out water curtain.

Adrain kind of had a look of shock when the cold water splashed him, as we all did!

Adrian is about to experience his first rapids ride.

Adrian and mom loved the Rockin Roadway.

First ride of the day, Smokey Mountain Wilderness Adventure. We sort of like it, wish the film wasn't so blury. We also thought it was super jerky.

Kevin is glad to be here!

Kevin and I love Dolly!

Adrian , Amanda and Brett.

We are ready to conquer Dollywood! L-R: Amy, Mike, Adrian, Amanda, Brett, me, and Kevin. Got to love when Adrian gives his painful "say cheese" smile.

Adrian is happy to be on his first train ride of the trip.

Kevin is super happy to be in the mountains.

The three A's: Amy, Adrian, & Amanda

Brett and Adrian are all ready to see Dolly!

BarryH · May 22, 2007

Great photos!

I remember riding the simulator ride. It was the longest line I've waited in all day -- 25 minutes! I remember it was very jerky. Also, the ride film changed periodically from a POV view to a shot of the speedometer and then to Dolly and the hillybilly pilot dude.

live2tell75 · May 26, 2007

We started our second day at Dollywood in the Timber Canyon area. Today seemed to be a lot more crowded, but probably because we were hitting the major draws for the park. Also we noticed a lot of school groups at the park.

Mystery Mine was a big hit with our group. I thought it was a pretty impressive attraction for Dollywood. I thought it had a good balance of dark ride elements, special effects and coaster section. Thunderhead was a pretty sweet woodie. We all enjoyed the train ride through The Smokies, especially Adrian. Overall we loved our two days at Dollywood. Friendly staff, good mix of attractions and a beautiful atmosphere. Kevin and I can't wait to visit again!

We end our day at Dollywood with a peak into Dolly's childhood home. Next up, Ruby Falls! Stay tuned.

The train ride was a big highlight for Adrian.

couldn't resist, had to take this photo.

Kevin and I enjoyed our ride.

Adrian got to ride the rabbit from Donnie Darko, kind of freaky, but he didn't seem to mine.

It was a pretty carousel.

Time for a spin on the Merry-Go-Round.

Oh the TERROR! The Smokies will never be the same!

Awww, so are Brett and Amanda.

Awww, aren't Amy and Mike cute.

As Mystery Mine looms in the background, we're about to experience a pretty groovy woodie. The fly-through in the loading station of Thunderhead was cool.

Thunderhead is a beautiful site.

Adrian was kept occupied in the cool children's area while we hit the thrills in Timber Canyon.

2 thumbs up for Mystery Mine!

We all absolutely loved Mystery Mine!

Mike, Amanda and I are almost there!

Amanda, Brett and I are all set for our ride on Mystery Mine!

The highlight of the trip, Mystery Mine!

We're off for an expedition in Timber Canyon.

BeemerBoy · May 26, 2007

Great report so far, Eric! Really glad you guys liked Chattanooga. They like to call themselves "America's Scenic City," and I actually agree with them. It's only 20 minutes up the road from us, so we're there as much as possible.

I understand that the city commission has done an incredible job revitalizing the entire waterfront area over the last decade. Evidently, not so long ago, it wasn't as beautiful as it shows in your pics.

I'm anxiously awaiting your Ruby Falls pics!

thrillerman1 · May 26, 2007

I love the Donnie Darko rabbit photo. Great TR pics. Chattanooga is teh cool.

live2tell75 · May 31, 2007

Ruby Falls was great! Locals probably think it is touristy, but we all enjoyed this place. The caves and actually falls were awesome! If you are ever in Chattanooga, I highly recommend checking Ruby Falls out.

Chattanooga is such a nice change from Florida. Next up, Rock City.

Amy and Mikke

With Amanda

Especially with the cool lighting effects.

The actually falls were pretty cool.

The lighting in the caves was beautiful.

Felt like I was in a scene from the movie Aliens, I was waiting for someone to appear in the wall saying "kill me"!

The paths through the caves were pretty tight.

Brett's sister, Amanda S. (on the far left) joined our group for this adventure.

ECZenith · May 31, 2007

Very nice photos, I hope to head out to the Smokies in the coming years.

resonancej · May 31, 2007

Man, I'm about to go back to school here for music production (Full Sail anyone?) and Tennessee is looking more and more appealing to me. That's a great trip report man, Chattanooga and Dollywood are beautiful. I'm from Virginia and I miss it terribly. I guess I'm a southern boy at heart after all.

cfc · May 31, 2007

I love touristy cave tours. Had to miss Dollywood a few weeks back and settle for a few hours at Carowinds, but I'm glad your crew had a good time, Eric.

Skyscraper · May 31, 2007

Great pictures ! You make such a cute couple too

niiicolaaah · May 31, 2007

Great pictures! I went to Chattanooga in 2001 for a school trip, and we went to Ruby Falls and Rock City! Brings back memories!

Do they still lead you into the room with the falls in complete darkness with a cheesy dramatic sound track?

live2tell75 · June 2, 2007

Great pictures ! You make such a cute couple too

^ Thanks, I think we are doing pretty good conisdering we are going on five years! Time flys!

live2tell75 · June 2, 2007

Do they still lead you into the room with the falls in complete darkness with a cheesy dramatic sound track?

Yep! A very dramatic production! The cheesy soundtrack made it that much more excieting! Wish the lights stayed on for a little longer, but before we new it, the lights were out and we were pushed along, so the next group could experience the falls. Oh well.

live2tell75 · June 2, 2007

On our last day in Tennessee, we checked out Rock City. It was pretty cool. As you will see in some of the photos, some of the passageways were pretty tight. (Boy do I need to go on a diet!) The view were great. But the best part had to be the trippy 60's blacklight caves full of scenes of childhood nursery stories. Glad we checked Rock City out. So this completes our Tennessee adventure, it was a lot of fun, can't wait to visit again! Thanks for reading.