Our trip to the Smokies

So every year we decide to take a trip for vacation to some where we have never been before. My fiance and I started this tradition back in 2005. Since then we have visited Las Vegas, Phoenix, Mazatlan, and our east roadtrip which included Hershey Park, Dorney Park, BGW, SFGrAdv, Kings Dominion, and our first trip to NYC.

 

This year my fiance explains to me she wants to go to Pigeon Forge for our Vacay. So instantly I begin to think of what themeparks I can hit up during our trip. Dollywood which we have never been to, and on the return trip we decide to go to SFOG which both of us have been to but its been many years.

 

We rented a cabin in Pigeon Forge through sunsett cottages. We arrived on Sunday afternoon and stayed in Pigeon Forge though Thursday. On Friday we left, and headed to SFOG, stayed in the ATL and came home on Saturday evening. I will do our trip report in parts and let the pictures do most of the talking. Thanks for reading now onto Dollywood.

 

Part I: Dollywood

We arrived at the park to find small crowds and intermittent downpours. Before going to this park I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised with our visit. The best part of this park is its atmosphere. Its very clean and friendly. The food is fantastic and the rides are great with a wide selection to choose from. It was a great time and the highlight of my trip. Now to the pictures, LET THE THUNDER ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!

 

Lets go this way!

 

 

My new # 1 wooden coaster surpassing Lightning Racer

 

 

Its kind of hard to get photos of

 

 

It's TWISTY!!

 

 

GCI through the trees.

 

 

I managed to get in 5 rides, 1 in the front and 4 in the back.

 

 

Timbbbeeerrrrr!!

 

 

It was unique but I didn't really understand it if that makes sense.

 

 

Alright, I was excited for this one

 

 

The line was non existent, lets GO

 

 

This bird was trying to warn me of what was to come but I didn't listen!

 

 

Because I'm a dumb ass!

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen the Mystery Mine brace position.

 

 

This was the smoothest part of the entire ride besides the lifts.

 

 

Bring on the PAIN

 

 

This area just killed me.

 

 

The themeing was very well done though

 

 

BRACE YOURSELF!!!!!!

 

 

This is where they house the pain and hold brace yourself drills.

 

 

Like an idiot I rode it again.

 

 

The river battle

 

 

Yeah no one was on it!!

 

 

Finally people to battle.

 

 

New for 2009 SKYZIP

 

 

Due to off and on downpours we just didn't have time to do it. I was pissed but I'll get over it.

 

 

**** *** mother nature!!!

 

 

Where the hell am I now.

 

 

 

Oh here we are, on my first aviator.

 

 

 

I feel like rockin

 

 

Scratch that

 

 

In all seriousness I hate ferris wheels and she makes fun of my so bad. I will do a 365 ft slingshot or 200 ft skycoaster, or in her eyes ride Kingda Ka over and over but would rather pass on the 60ft ferris wheel.

 

 

 

This way to some Arrow goodness.

 

 

 

Maintenance bay

 

 

This is the best Arrow creation besides the big bad wolf I have ever been on.

 

 

Its very hard to photograph

 

 

It is smoother towards the front but you have to ride in the back to experience the first drop. Those who have rode in the back row know, its just insane.

 

 

It got our approval.

 

 

 

And to end part one of this trip report the only picture I got of one of the craziest rides I have ever been on. WE GOT FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!!

Nice trip report so far. Yeah, Mystery Mine is a weird one. Did you eat at the Backstage Restaurant?

Nice report thus far. Glad you enjoyed DW.

 

Not sure where you sat, but I've found the back row, far right seat to be the least painful on MM for whatever reason.....that is, when it doesn't crush the family jewels.

The key to enjoying the first half of Mystery Mine is to ride with your head leaned forward away from the padding. It does help to know ahead of time which way the track is going, so you can keep your head leaned in the direction of the oncoming curve, keeping it pinned on that specific headrest. Now, with that being said, it's not necessarily a good thing when you are having to invent a specific strategy to prevent headbanging.

 

Anyways, looking forward to rest of the TR!

Nice TR so far! Looking forward to the rest.

I really liked Dollywood.

 

I couldn't agree more with you on the Ferris Wheel thing!

Actually, I'm fine on the larger ones with the big buckets. It's the little bench style one's like the one at Dollywood that kill me!

Nice trip report so far. Yeah, Mystery Mine is a weird one. Did you eat at the Backstage Restaurant?

 

No we did not, we pretty much ate at stands all day long. A little bit of this and a whole lot of that seemed to work well. Also since you seem to like ice cream just a little I will say that their ice cream, I think it was called Grandma's homemade ice cream was really good. Some of the best I have had.

 

Part II: to come

Part II: Our cabin and the Great Smokey Mountains.

 

 

First off, our cabin was awesome. My only complaint was that we had to scale the mountain to get to it. Which isn't all that bad because our view was great. But the elevation was just serious, I mean I am from Florida, our highest mountain was built by a mouse and has a multi million dollar yeti stobe light inside.

 

The cabin was great, it was clean, fully furnished, and had a jacuzzi, a hot tub, pool table, and huge deck. We saw some wildlife including a bear which destroyed our garbage, raccoons, wild cats, millions of insects including my first experience with a scorpion in the bathroom. It was just a great time, besides the scorpion.

 

If anyone is looking into going to Pigeon Forge look up sunsett cottages, they have some pretty good specials and the cabins are top notch.

 

Now onto the photos.

 

This was our Cozy Corral

 

 

 

Enter here

 

 

 

Living room

 

 

 

This was the loft, up there was a hot tub, pool table, and second bathroom.

 

 

 

And this was our view.

 

 

Another shot of our view

 

 

 

75th Anniversary of the Smokey Mountains National Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FDR stood here for the dedication of the National park. Its where the Tennessee and North Carolina state lines are. Both states donated land to the project.

 

 

 

It was really an amazing park.

 

 

All over the park there are places to pull over and park.

 

 

 

I'm running out of stuff to say.

 

 

 

Looks like Snoop Dogg is out here somewhere.

 

 

 

That's the main road way down there.

 

 

 

More nature crap.

 

 

Lets go this way.

 

 

 

There we are, now lets get back to the cabin.

I was at that National park back in 2002 and a lot of the trees were being attacked by some disease and were dying. Looks like they stopped the spread and removed the trees cause some of your pictures were in the same spots I took back then and it looks much more green. Good to see.

Part III: Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is really like a older southern version of the I-4 corridor. Its very touristy but has some pretty cool things to do. We walked a good ways played some hillbilly golf, ate some pancakes, and saw a couple of celebrities. I will get SFOG up tomorrow. Thanks for reading.

 

 

Sign

 

 

 

Its somewhat similar to the I-4 corridor

 

 

 

It was decent. There are so many pancake houses around here its insane.

 

 

 

Typical tourist trap restaurant

 

 

 

Just in case you were wondering.

 

 

 

 

Golf anyone?

 

 

 

How about a lift, yeah I know that was lame.

 

 

She had to take the pictures cause I had the white knuckle death grip.

 

 

 

From the top

 

 

 

Alright lets go down.

 

 

I want off

 

 

 

Almost there

 

 

 

Life is like a box of wine.

 

 

 

Dunk on this

 

 

 

???

 

 

 

 

Crap I told you there over here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah the Smokies are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Especially when its cloudy.

 

Glad yall had fun in Gatlinburg

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome!

Thanks for posting, you should add your SFOG pics