Day 1 & 2 in Pigeon Forge

To keep from making the post too long, I'm going to make a few posts.

Day 1: Getting There...
Well, luckily day 1 of the trip was the worst and it only got better from there. I had a test in Family Law Tuesday morning, so the plan was to head out as soon as I got home from school which would be around 1pm. I got done with my test around 11am so I was home and we were on the road by 12pm.

Mistake number one was that we printed directions off of mapquest. Do not ever do this, your better off just winging it. The ride was good until we got around Cherokee NC., then the directions became a little misleading because it didn't tell you to turn when you should. So instead of turning onto 441, we stayed on 19 which takes you the long way around to Pigeon Forge. After about 30 minutes of driving and discussing how none of this looked formilar, we finally stopped and asked where the hell we were. The guy was nice and told us how to get there from where we were. Surprisingly, the "pass" (the shortcut through the Great Smokey Mountain National Park to Gatlienburg) was closed due to snow, yes snow, and so we ended up in the right direction without even knowing it. They were just as surprised as we were that they already had snow. A few people said it was the first time since anyone could remember that they had snow before Halloween. I took pictures because I knew y'all wouldn't believe me...

So, we continued on our merry way until we stopped at the next rest area. The attendant kindly gave us directions when we asked and a nice little map with directions highlighted. We drive along this road for about a good thirty minutes and then David has to open his big mouth and say "two more bends and it's gonna turn into dirt." He was wrong...three turns later the road turned into dirt. The problem with the road turning into dirt was A. we were pulling a trailer with two motorcycles on it, B. it was on a mountain with a ton of curves and a steep side with no guard rail (yes, I know that these won't save you if you go plunging off the mountain, but it still makes me feel better). and C. it was a very narrow way. To put it nicely, the three passengers started to get nauseated and we had to ride with the windows down in 30 degree weather. We proceeded to drive down the dirt road (there was no way to turn around) for the next hour. Finally, we ended up at a crossroad with a sign in the direction we were supposed to go saying closed due to snow. So all that for nothing. We took a left and ended up two exits down from the rest stop we originally go the directions. Basically, we made a huge circle.

So, once we took the route I originally said to take, we made it to Pigeon Forge in about forty-five minutes. I won't say "I told you so." Luckily, when we pulled up we were welcomed to this...

A very cute little cabin. It was perfect fit for the four of us and two dogs. They allow you to bring your dogs because "dogs need vacations too." It was decorated cute, had a hot tub and jacuzzi, and a pool table. We enjoyed it immensely. After we arrived and dropped our stuff off at the cabin, we headed out to dinner. It was late so we headed to Bennett's BBQ. The bbq was alright, but the fried dill pickles were to die for. Sorry to my Nashville crowd, but their pickles were better than Toot's and are now my favorite. So, that was a end to day one. Our four hour trip turned into eight, but we finally made it.

Day 2: Amber's Dream Comes True...

Day two consisted of a dream coming true for me. I finally made it to Dollywood. Yes, it was something to check off of my to do list before I died. Laugh all you want. I love Dolly Parton. I've watched several shows about her and love her. Behind the big hair and big boobs, she is seriously one of the most generous people around today. She is compeletely honest and real about herself and her life and I really do respect her for that. Ok you can all laugh, but I am serious.

So, everyone agreed to take me to Dollywood and I LOVED IT! It truely is the most cleanest, friendliest, family oriented amusement park around. I would recomend everyone to go. It doesn't have a ton of the most thrilling rides, but it does have tons to do. The park is set up in several different towns. They were all decorated cutely and extremely real like. The park has obviously put a lot of time into it. Here are a few pictures from the day at the park...

We had a great day at Dollywood. The only problem was that the over sixty crowd loves Dollywood. We went on a Wednesday, even though the high was only in the forties, and evidently the sixty and over tour groups like to attend on that day. Needless to say there was not a wait for the rides. We rode in front on all of them and did not stand in one line. But, we could not get in to see the shows. The shows were packed. That is the only reason they go. And watch out for the rascals. I have not seen so many anywhere in my life before and you better watch out they will cut in front of you, take you out, and not look back. My ankles were clipped several times. Seriously, there were only about 50 people under the age of 50 there. Other than the old people problem running over us in their rascals, we had a blast. I cannot wait to go again.

Of course the highlight of my day....I had my picture taken with Mrs. Dolly!!!

Okay, not really. It was really just a cut out at the place we bought our discounted tickets. But I couldn't go to Dollywood and not get a picture with Dolly. It's not the best picture of me due to the fact we were all laughing so hard. The people in the office thought I was crazy!