The Mountains Are Calling

WHEN: Week of 2/9/2024

WHERE: Gatlinburg, Tennessee

WHY: the mountains were calling

SHELTER: Hotel/Resort

PERKS: mountain air and local people

REGRETS: tourist (not really a low season up here)

We are going to have to keep this post brief, my laptop is being glitchy, and making this post on a cellphone. Luckily, we did 7 days of the same thing over and over with much joy and enthusiasm so it will be as smooth as Tennessee whiskey.

We spent several days wandering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And yes, we wandered for days. We loved driving around just taking in the mist and history. The park had areas too cold to melt snow all the way to clear and 60-degree spots. I can see why the first settlers called it 'land of paradise'. Just keep wandering and you will see a good chunk of the 80+ historical structures. Thankfully, many can be seen from the road. We did get out a few times, but unfortunately, the mountains and historic buildings are not handicap accessible. I made my way around as much as I could with my medical boot and cane.

We didn't find any bears, but we saw lots of turkeys and deer. We were told by locals that the bears are easy to find if you just follow their trash collection. All this time I thought people were just messy, but it is the bears pulling the trash cans apart and taking off with their new goodies leaving a mess in the woods.

The forecast for our entire visit was rain with a side of rain. We found plenty to entertain us during the downpours and just got wet when we couldn't find indoor fun.

While Gatlinburg has plenty of indoor commercialized activities to steal all your money we aim to be entertained for as free as possible.

1. Auto Touring The Great Smoky Mountains ($1 to $30 if you want maps and read-alongs, very little is marked within the park).

2. Visit The Relic Room (free, mostly wheelchair friendly)

3. The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum ($3, accessible)

4. The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community 8 Mile Loop (free, mostly accessible)

5. Gatlinburg Trolley (free, accessible)

The craft loop was one of our favorite things to do. We met the nicest people with lots of stories to tell and very talented. Some workshops even have 'make and takes' we made our own Rootless Love lotion at The Basket Case Soap Co. Need to sweep or go for a fly? Ogles Broom Shop will sweep you away with their 3rd generation broom-making skills.

Accidental Surprises: Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center ($12 worth every dollar and fairly accessible) Wish we had come during in-season, they have lots of heritage classes listed on their website.

Pit Stop: Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, TN (free, fairly accessible).

Mel finally got to drive a CJ7 at Cades Creek Jeep Outpost; Townsend, TN.

See you at our next stop in the Outer Banks!