Gatlinburg TN

10/16/2011- Sunday
Left home about 6:30am heading to the Smoky Mountains. Weather was great and a good trip, except for the east bound side of I-81. Found out later there were no fatalities. Otherwise, made it to Gatlinburg about 4:30pm, of course we made several stops along the way, for food, restroom breaks and a stroll through the Knife works in Sevierville. Traffic became very heavy when we got off the exit of I-81.

10/17/2011-Monday
Breakfast at The Village Pancake Restaurant. Was excellent. Found our way up the mountain, to the top, at Clingman’s Dome and walked up the ½ mile STEEP paved walkway to the Observation deck and then back down. Went to the truck and changed shoes to hikers and grabbed some water and a couple of snacks and headed out the trail to Andrew’s Bald(1.8 mile one way). Several people told us they saw a bear, but of course we missed it(Both down and back up the trail). Back down the mountain for supper at Bennett’s BBQ, Oh what another GREAT meal, ate outdoors in the fresh air.

10/18/2011-Tuesday
Ate breakfast at the Log Cabin Restaurant and then headed to Cades Cove. Traffic was very heavy. Part way through we came to a complete standstill. Ed got out of the truck. He wanted to see what was happening up ahead of us. He walked about ½ mile and there were 2 cubs and Mama bear in the acorn tree. After quite a while, the Park Ranger appeared and began moving the traffic along. We saw horses, deer, turkey, squirrel and bears. Continued on to Hyatt’s Lane and detoured on Rich Mountain Road (back lane, not too many people know about it). This is a one way road into Townsend, then back through Pigeon Forge and back to Gatlinburg. Was time for dinner, so we walked to Mellow Mushroom and the Yuenling along with the pizza was soooooo good. Again we got to eat outside in the fresh air.

10/19/2011-Wednesday
Ate breakfast and then took a hike, in the rain, to Laurel Falls, 1.3 mile one way then headed to the Roaring Fork Motor Trail for a nice drive and then went shopping in Pigeon Forge. Back to Gatlinburg at Texas Roadhouse, then of course did the usual stroll up and down Main St. Called it an evening.

10/20/2011 - Thursday
Went back to Cades Cove to hike the Abram Falls Trail, 5 mile round trip. The falls were really nice and a lot of water after the rain. The hike took the better part of this day, then headed back to Gatlinburg to supper at Bubba Gumps Shrimp Co. for dinner, this was quite an experience.

10/21/2011 - Friday
Took a drive up the mountain to see the snow, a couple of short hikes, back to town to pack, then took the Tram up the mountain and the chair lift to the top, then back to the Mellow Mushroom for pizza and beer.

A very relaxing week!

Pictures to follow

sounds like a great trip

Sounds like you guys had a good time Hiking, a lot of Hiking. That RZR broke down

People are always telling me to take a hike now I know what they mean

Nice Vacation report. Glad you had a great time. We have a few days planed down there after Christmas.

I estimate 17 to 20 total miles walked last week. We were suppose to come home Wed. but just kept putting it off, could of stayed a little longer. Gatlinburg was wall to wall people Friday night. That's when we decided it was time to leave.

Sounds like a lot of fun! Thanks for the "ride" report!

Glad you guy's had a good time.

We think it's very nice down there.

These are just a few of the 230 pictures we took.

Pictures HERE

Great report Mr/Mrs Ed. Except for the shopping-in-Pigeon-Forge part, you have described the perfect trip. Very enjoyable reading and pics. Thanks for sharing!

Nice pics.
Looks like fun!

Great ride report & pic's Ed & Bev. We've never been, but it's on our "to do" list some day.

Always a great time in TN and the GSM National Park .