What are these towns all about?

Wednesday 11/05/2011

How Y'all today?  Y'all having fun?

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge!?  In the Smoky Mountains and nestled at the gateway of the beautiful Smoky Mountains National Park, these two unusual little towns have Pete and I puzzled! They are certainly intriguing us - they do not seem to fit in with the amazing natural environment that surrounds them! This was confirmed after we wandered around them this afternoon. On the surface they are totally devoted to fun, amusement and entertainment. A lot of it wasn't our "cup of tea" (our age??) but obviously very popular as they attract thousands of people every year. Quiet now during the week (good for us) but last weekend people were crawling all over Gatlinburg like ants! There are also a huge number of shows, appealing to a variety of tastes, which attract a lot of people. We were speaking to a couple from Texas who had come here for the week to take in the shows.

We finally found a Walmart in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge's other close neighbour, and was able to get our groceries! Though there are lots and lots and lots of eateries - we wouldn't have starved! Been nice to have some home meals this week!

Have a look at these "pleasure playgrounds"....................

We took a ride up to Ober Gatlinburg in the Sky Tramway.

Ober is the areas winter ski resort
They were still having some snow up until a few weeks ago!
This week we have been having 90 degree fahrenheit  temps! 

Amazing views of the Smokies and Gatlinburg enfolded
by this natural beauty 

A view of main Street Gatlinburg from the Sky Tramway

What a marvellous job Nature has done with these mountains!

Hovering above the beautiful lush trees in the Gatlinburg mountain residential communities 

Idyllic locations and fabulous views

Nice indoor skating rink used all your round.
We arrived at the top expecting to be able to view the surrounding area from an observation deck - BUT NO!
Amusement after amusement! A taste of things to come in the main street!

What was waiting at the top was their Ski Resort (nice) AND a huge amusement park!
Not an observation deck to look over the beautiful mountains and area in sight!

In summer you can ride the ski chairlift further up the mountain

Another chairlift and ski run, plus a maze and a merry-go-round!?

Lovely views of the mountain residential areas as we descended - log cabins nestled in the trees
The log cabin is very popular in the mountains. They are advertised everywhere for holiday accommodation.

The main street of Gatlinburg
And this is just a taste...

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

The Aquarium

You play Putt-Putt up the side of the mountain
You ride an inclination up. Interesting!

There are some nice restaurants at the edge of town at the entrance to the National Park-
their design and building materials are in keeping with and reflect the mountain environment.

Home of Dollywood

The main street of Pigeon Forge

Again, just a smattering.....

Putt-Putt Golf everywhere - all differently themed,
just like the fudge shops and the Antique photography shops!

Speedways - road and water!

How did the Titanic get here? And they thought it was on the bottom of the ocean!

They even have the iceberg!

What is wrong with this house!?
Click to enlarge

Th main street of Pigeon Forge - 3 miles of amusement and entertainment
Not a normal shop or supermarket in sight.

Lots of shops like this in the main street. We didn't even see
a Starbucks or McDonald's or a Walgreen's!
Sorry, found them! - lost amongst the all the amusements!

In the backstreets there is some nice accommodation and a quaint historical shopping, restaurant and art/craft area called The Old Mill

An interestingly designed motel using material of the area

The little trolley that runs you up and down and around the 3 miles of main street amusements , theatres, hotels and motels.
It is actually a great municipal service -it does go to other areas as well. You can get an all day ticket for $2

Such a contrast to the main street - congenial with a mountain town.

The Little Pigeon River that meanders through town

The Old Mill Restaurant

The original old mill and store

A pottery - you can watch them making their wares

These are the only bears we saw today
Clever - they are actually topiary 

Lovely cafe in the Old Mill area

A litte friend watching me!

The Liberty Bell in Patriot's Park

Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Show 

P.S. Kids would think they were in heaven in these towns!.......as would keen Putt-Putt golfers (seems to be a trillion differently themed courses!)..............Speedway demons who love thrills and spills...........arcade game fanatics.............plenty of haunted houses for those that like to be scared out of their wits...................and the list goes on! and on! and on!

They are unique towns that have to be experienced. Well worth a visit! 

There is still plenty to do, see and enjoy for those who don't want to be "amused". There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports to enjoy and challenge yourself with!
And like Pete and me - give us the relaxation of the resort on the ridge, the beautiful National Park, the theatres/shows and the restaurants - they are all fantastic!!! 

The Smoky Mountains are a great destination!

A Tennessee farewell!
("Y'all" is used in just about every sentence here in Tennessee)

WE WILL!