Summer in the smokies, there is nothing quite like it. Flowers blooming, American flags flying, streets crowded with excited visitors, and dripping ice cream cones.
Welcome to my first blog entry. I love everything about the Smoky Mountains and the surrounding areas. Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Townsend are some of our favorites, we also enjoy crossing into North Carolina to visit the Cherokee area. The mountains are my happy place, they bring me a sense of peace and joy that I cannot explain. Stand in line for a roller coaster for 90 minutes, cool. I am in the the mountains and I have all the patience that I need. You probably get my point already. When the mountains call (IYKYK), I always answer.
Most of my family and friends are well aware that I love going to the mountains. Of course I spam my social media with pictures (almost) every time we visit. In the past several months I have had a few, ok more than a few, people ask for recommendations for things to do, places to stay or eat, and all the tips for Dollywood. You will learn quick that I really enjoy Dollywood. I have always enjoyed writing, and I love the mountains, which leads me to my point…I should start a blog to help others plan their Smoky Mountain vacations.
My intention is to blog on all the things Smoky Mountain related. What activities should we do? Where should I stay? What’s for dinner? Traveling on a budget? Oh, you want to look for a black bear? I can help! If you are looking for recommendations for your future Smoky Mountain vacation, stay tuned!
Sweet Summertime
The first day of Summer is June 20th this year, of course with Memorial Day being the unofficial start to Summer. Just like Spring, Fall, and even Winter, there are many season-specific festivals, themes and decor for many of the local attractions.
Our trips to the Smokies are usually holiday or long weekends, or really whatever we can make happen with work and school schedules. I am always planning my next trip. Last Summer I finally convinced my husband to go to the mountains for our Summer vacation. 9 nights in the mountains! It was everything. We stayed two nights at Dollywood’s Dreammore Resort, then the remainder of our trip at a VRBO hosted condo in Townsend. We spent a lot of time at Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country that week. The Summer Celebration festival that Dollywood puts on is special, definitely one not to miss (see future blog). River Rat tubing in Townsend, finding the perfect swimming hole and identifying some sweet ice cream spots were a few of our other favorites on our Smoky Mountain vacation.
The park, of course we spend time at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). The park is beautiful in the Summer. One of our frequently visited spots within the GSMNP is Cades Cove. Cades Cove is an 11-mile, one-way loop where visitors can sightsee, picnic, hike, bike or just take in the beauty of the mountains. Depending on the day, you may see a black bear or two.
This initial post was an introduction about my passion for the Smokies, and as the title says, a touch of Summer fun. Each of these attractions listed will likely have their own blog post soon. If you are planning a trip to the Smokies and want reviews and suggestions, follow along for the fun!