Great Place for a Fall Visit

We are so glad that we decided to spend 2 weeks in Pigeon Forge, TN. The extra time here has allowed us plenty of time to explore The Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as the surrounding area. The best part is that we don’t have to rush to see everything in a few days as well as be able to stay indoors on the cooler rainy days. The temperatures have been very variable with frost on one morning and sunshine and warmth on another.

As the temperature varies, so do the views of the mountains and all the glorious fall colors. On clear days you can see really far into the distance and after rainy days, fog shrouds the hillsides. I enjoy how the trees look even on the gloomy days so I have been taking way too many pictures of them. Many are way too similar - how many pictures of trees and mountains do you really need? Hopefully I have selected the best ones to share with you. Here are a few from Clingman’s Dome at the highest peak:

The hills are beautiful in fall colors.

Love the blue haze that gives the Smokies their name.

Golden glow

Everyone recommended a drive through Cade’s Cove so we made the trip the other day. We probably took the long way there but it was worth it. We saw a few deer on the drive but no bear. I think it may have been due to us taking a bit too long to get there. We had heard to go early in the morning and we got a little later start that we initially planned. It didn’t matter though, the views on drive there, the loop and the ride back were all beautiful.

Starting through the valley

Some red and gold still on the trees even after the storms the other day.

Mountain stream

An old mill.

The old village at the visitor’s center was interesting to tour.

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are filled with many tourist attractions and we have spent a little time visiting a few of the stores and restaurants. We are not interested in the tourist traps like wax museums and trinket shops but I do like those with foods and drinks from the area. It would be way too expensive to see all of it and we have to remember that we cannot act like we are on vacation all of the time. So we are finding some things to do that are free or not too expensive. One place we checked out that was free was a visit to Bush’s Beans. Their museum provided insight into their industry and impacts that historical events had on their business and America in general. On another day, I went with our campground neighbors, John and Marsha, to the Apple Barn. We enjoyed browsing the huge shop in the barn and checking out the baked goods and other treats. So of course I bought beans at Bush’s Beans and muffins and apples at the Apple Barn.

Spending time with Jay and Duke.

Had lots of beans that day, even in the pie.

We have a couple more days here in Pigeon Forge and then onto Chattanooga. One more week in Tennessee and then we head to Alabama. Hopefully it will get a little warmer as we head south.