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We left home about 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. We drove about 340 miles to Mt. Vernon, Illinois. We made our first stop there.
We left Mt. Vernon at 9:00 a.m. About 100 miles down the road we saw a road sign that advertised the largest Superman in the world located in Metropolis, Ill. We couldn't resist and took the exit, drove 3 miles and there he was. He was in front of the courthouse inscribed with 'Truth, Justice, and the American Way'. We took several pics and shopped along with all the other amazed tourists. The local police chief took our picture at the Superman and Supergirl cutouts.
We left home about 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. We drove about 340 miles to Mt. Vernon, Illinois. We made our first stop there.
We left Mt. Vernon at 9:00 a.m. About 100 miles down the road we saw a road sign that advertised the largest Superman in the world located in Metropolis, Ill. We couldn't resist and took the exit, drove 3 miles and there he was. He was in front of the courthouse inscribed with 'Truth, Justice, and the American Way'. We took several pics and shopped along with all the other amazed tourists. The local police chief took our picture at the Superman and Supergirl cutouts.
We left Mt. Vernon at 9:00 a.m. About 100 miles down the road we saw a road sign that advertised the largest Superman in the world located in Metropolis, Ill. We couldn't resist and took the exit, drove 3 miles and there he was. He was in front of the courthouse inscribed with 'Truth, Justice, and the American Way'. We took several pics and shopped along with all the other amazed tourists. The local police chief took our picture at the Superman and Supergirl cutouts.
We then drove the rest of the way, 260 miles, to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Just before Gatlinburg was the city of Pigeon Forge. There was about sixteen miles of attractions, amusement parks, restaurants, antique stores, etc. that was like driving through Bagnell Dam in the Ozarks. Gary was afraid he signed up for a very commercial week. We checked in at the Sidney James Mountain Lodge in Gatlinburg. We were surprised at the nice features of our room. There was a huge spa tub, stained glass windows, floor to ceiling fireplace and most surprising--a full wall headboard and ceiling of mirrors! Shocking!
We drove to Calhoun's Restaurant and had a very good dinner. After dinner we walked with all the other tourists. Gatlinburg is a walking town (limited parking) and has trolleys. We ended up at the Ole Smoky Moonshine Store. We bought moonshine and a T-shirt. We listened to a country band in the square. They were pretty good.
On our way back to the car we walked by the city convention center. It was a surprise to see a mama bear and her three cubs breaking into a trash barrel. It was right on the main street and lots of tourists were taking pictures, including us.
That was a full day for us. We went back to the lodge to turn in. The only problem was that there was some elderly, overweight woman watching me trying to go to sleep!
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013;
We started out with a breakfast at our lodge cafe. Then off to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We stopped at the Sugarland Visitor's Center and got information about the park and the trails. We decided that we would walk the Appalachian Trail on our first day as the weather was supposed to get colder the rest of the week. We drove to Newfound Gap to pick up the trail. It follows the mountain range ridge through the gap and is also the boundary between Tennessee and North Carolina. We jumped on the trail and followed it mostly up for about a mile. We had achieved our goal of walking on the trail and returned to the car.
We started out with a breakfast at our lodge cafe. Then off to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We stopped at the Sugarland Visitor's Center and got information about the park and the trails. We decided that we would walk the Appalachian Trail on our first day as the weather was supposed to get colder the rest of the week. We drove to Newfound Gap to pick up the trail. It follows the mountain range ridge through the gap and is also the boundary between Tennessee and North Carolina. We jumped on the trail and followed it mostly up for about a mile. We had achieved our goal of walking on the trail and returned to the car.
We then drove further south to the Oconaluftee Visitor's Center. There was a turn of the century farm with a corn crib, blacksmith shop, smokehouse, chicken coops, etc. on the grounds. Gary explored here while Susan explored the Visitor's Center. We were to meet in twenty minutes but Gary heard an elk bugle. The Ranger had told us earlier that the rut was over, but Gary went to investigate. He found a guy that had earlier taken a picture of the elk. They both then spotted him in the forest. He was a very large bull.
Next we went to Mingo Falls, which is outside the park but on a Cherokee Indian Reservation in North Carolina. We found the turnout and negotiated a 166 (one hundred sixty six!) step climb up to a point that was halfway up the waterfall. The falls were very impressive. It was a lot easier going down the stairs.
Next we went to Mingo Falls, which is outside the park but on a Cherokee Indian Reservation in North Carolina. We found the turnout and negotiated a 166 (one hundred sixty six!) step climb up to a point that was halfway up the waterfall. The falls were very impressive. It was a lot easier going down the stairs.
Next, we stopped at the Mingus Grist Mill. It was built in 1888. We learned of the history of the mill and we walked along the water sloop up the hill to the stream source. It was a beautiful and interesting setting.
After this stop it was getting dark so we headed back to our lodge. We had dinner at The Bubba Gump Shrimp House. It was yummy. After a long day we turned in. However, that woman was still staring at me all night!
After this stop it was getting dark so we headed back to our lodge. We had dinner at The Bubba Gump Shrimp House. It was yummy. After a long day we turned in. However, that woman was still staring at me all night!
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013;
We had breakfast at a local pancake house. Then we headed to the Gatlinburg Visitor's Center. From there we took the Gatlinburg Bypass Road back into the park. We then drove 27 miles to Cade's Cove. It was a very slow and winding road and took us an hour and a half for a short stretch. We took the eleven mile loop around Cade's Cove. It's a one lane, one way drive that gets congested as visitors stop to view wildlife.
We had breakfast at a local pancake house. Then we headed to the Gatlinburg Visitor's Center. From there we took the Gatlinburg Bypass Road back into the park. We then drove 27 miles to Cade's Cove. It was a very slow and winding road and took us an hour and a half for a short stretch. We took the eleven mile loop around Cade's Cove. It's a one lane, one way drive that gets congested as visitors stop to view wildlife.
Soon we saw white tail deer in the glen. We were watching when Susan noticed a big buck crossing the road behind us, jumped the fence, and joined the does in the field.
After starting up again, we had at least another thirty minute delay due to a monster buck in the tall grass just twenty yards off the road. Everyone was looking at him. He was a big ten point with bladed tines. Plenty of mass. We also saw many turkeys.
After starting up again, we had at least another thirty minute delay due to a monster buck in the tall grass just twenty yards off the road. Everyone was looking at him. He was a big ten point with bladed tines. Plenty of mass. We also saw many turkeys.
We stopped at the Cade's Cove Visitor's Center. There we toured another 1880's farmstead. We were warned that copperhead and timber rattler snakes were in the area.
We then took the return trip on the twenty-seven mile route. We enjoyed the landscape.
We stopped to see Laurel Falls. It was 1.3 miles to and from the falls. The trip to the falls was straight up and was quite a climb. The return trip was much easier. The trees seemed to be turning brighter colors daily.
We then returned to Gatlinburg for dinner and to collapse in our lodge. (The elderly woman was watching me again. She seems to be getting skinnier. Must have been climbing mountains!)
We then returned to Gatlinburg for dinner and to collapse in our lodge. (The elderly woman was watching me again. She seems to be getting skinnier. Must have been climbing mountains!)
Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013;
After breakfast we went to the Sugarland Visitor's Center. We went on a Ranger tour that was guided by a very interesting park volunteer. He provided insight about the park, the trees and the diseases killing them, the early people, the medical fixes for cuts, bug bites, and asthma, and how to make lye soap for laundry. He also told us about 'fighting creek' and a bear story.
After breakfast we went to the Sugarland Visitor's Center. We went on a Ranger tour that was guided by a very interesting park volunteer. He provided insight about the park, the trees and the diseases killing them, the early people, the medical fixes for cuts, bug bites, and asthma, and how to make lye soap for laundry. He also told us about 'fighting creek' and a bear story.
We returned to the lodge early in the afternoon. Susan opted to rest while Gary drove to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Off the single lane road is parking to a walking trail to Grotto Falls. The walk was 2.8 miles round trip. The way to the falls was uphill. Gary then returned and we went to dinner. Our time in the Smokys was beautiful and our room at the lodge was great. (All would have been perfect if only I'd had a blindfold.)
Friday, Oct. 25, 2013;
We started our drive to Nashville. The only stop we made on the way was at the National Knife Museum in Sieverville, Tenn. We thought it would be a quick stop but it took us an hour and a half to make just a quick tour. Further down the road we found a great BBQ place for lunch.
We arrived in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel about 4:40 p.m. We checked in, got tickets to a Grayline Honky Tonk Music Tour, and tickets for The Grand Ole Opry for Saturday night. We thoroughly enjoyed the music tour. We had dinner as part of the tour. We then rode around downtown Nashville and learned about the sites, the city, and the music business. Our driver, Tex, then let us off to walk to the downtown bars. Every bar had one to three bands. The ones we heard were all good bands. Very loud. We met our driver at 11:00 p.m., which was plenty late for us.
Saturday, Oct. 26th, 2013;
The next morning we explored part of our hotel. It was extremely large and beautiful. There were many trees, waterfalls, plants, etc. all in a beautiful landscaped setting.
We started our drive to Nashville. The only stop we made on the way was at the National Knife Museum in Sieverville, Tenn. We thought it would be a quick stop but it took us an hour and a half to make just a quick tour. Further down the road we found a great BBQ place for lunch.
We arrived in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel about 4:40 p.m. We checked in, got tickets to a Grayline Honky Tonk Music Tour, and tickets for The Grand Ole Opry for Saturday night. We thoroughly enjoyed the music tour. We had dinner as part of the tour. We then rode around downtown Nashville and learned about the sites, the city, and the music business. Our driver, Tex, then let us off to walk to the downtown bars. Every bar had one to three bands. The ones we heard were all good bands. Very loud. We met our driver at 11:00 p.m., which was plenty late for us.
Saturday, Oct. 26th, 2013;
The next morning we explored part of our hotel. It was extremely large and beautiful. There were many trees, waterfalls, plants, etc. all in a beautiful landscaped setting.
We checked with the concierge about driving directions to our destinations for the day. Stop One-Antique Archeology. We had no problem getting back downtown and finding the store that the American Pickers TV show opened. Mike and Frank weren't there, but we enjoyed looking around and listening to the pickers.
Then we drove south of Nashville to Frank.in, Tenn. Susan found out it is an antique haven. It turned out to be the annual Fall Festival in Franklin which meant a major traffic jam. Gary enjoyed sitting outside the shops, smoking a cigar, and visiting with the other crusty husband-types that were waiting for their wives to shop. Susan found a few treasures.
Then we drove south of Nashville to Frank.in, Tenn. Susan found out it is an antique haven. It turned out to be the annual Fall Festival in Franklin which meant a major traffic jam. Gary enjoyed sitting outside the shops, smoking a cigar, and visiting with the other crusty husband-types that were waiting for their wives to shop. Susan found a few treasures.
After antique shopping we returned to our hotel to get ready to go to The Grand Ole Opry. The hotel provided buses to and from the venue. The music was good. Some people and groups were better than others. The only known person introduced was the star of the Nashville TV series that portrays the male lead. The seats are long church pews. The seating assignments were very close. After we returned to the hotel, we went back to the area where we had lunch and got some delicious yogurt. Gary even made some new friends! It was a very entertaining evening.
Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013;
We left Nashville at 9:15 a.m. There were significant traffic delays in Illinois. We made it to St. Louis in time to visit with our friends, Don and Jennifer Boyd. It was a short visit, but it was great to see them.
We made a quick stop in Columbia to visit brother Ted and wife Barb Horst. They fed us some delicious chili and then we took off for home. We were exhausted but we had a wonderful vacation.
We left Nashville at 9:15 a.m. There were significant traffic delays in Illinois. We made it to St. Louis in time to visit with our friends, Don and Jennifer Boyd. It was a short visit, but it was great to see them.
We made a quick stop in Columbia to visit brother Ted and wife Barb Horst. They fed us some delicious chili and then we took off for home. We were exhausted but we had a wonderful vacation.