THREE CHEERS FOR VACATION 2011

Have you ever wanted to see the places you read about in history class when you were in school? Well, Danny and I were given the opportunity to do just that this past May, and we two had a wonderful time as we drove over 3600 miles through Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. This post will tell you about our adventures and highlights of the trip.

We left home on the Saturday before Mother's Day and drove to visit Courtney, Keith and Maggie Lynn in Oakland, Tennessee (just east of Memphis). What a delight to be able to spend this special day with one of our children! And I must say that Maggie Lynn is just precious! Such a cute, cute smile that melts our hearts!

Early Monday morning, the two of us took off for Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We arrived at Laurel Crest (one of the time share resorts that we checked out on this trip) around 4:00 PM and checked in to our 1 bedroom villa. Later that evening we enjoyed soaking in the hot tub just below our balcony.

Pool and hot tub at Laurel Crest Villas.








This is the living room and kitchen of the villa.

We soon left to see the Old Mill District in downtown Pigeon Forge. There were lots of shops as well as the Old Mill Store and Restaurant. It was a lovely evening so we strolled through Patriot' Park along side the river that ran the mill.

Old Mill District in Pigeon Forge.


What a peaceful scene in the park beside the river!

Tuesday, May 10th, the two of us explored part of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. First thing was a relatively easy hike to Laurel Falls, a 75-foot, multi-level waterfall. The 1.3 mile path offered a nice, gentle walk in the woods. There were many other tourists on the path and at the falls when we reached them.... got someone to take this photo of us standing in front of the waterfall.

On the hike to the falls we passed many laurel plants in bloom.









Shady trail leading to the falls.






After a hot dog lunch we grabbed at a park store, we took the 11 mile drive through Cade's Cove. The Cove has been preserved by the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to look much the way it looked in the 1800's. Cades Cove has original pioneer homesteads, barns, businesses, pasture and farmland. While taking the auto tour, Danny and I visited an old church and cemetery, saw several homestead, saw a mama black bear and her cub, several deer and a wild turkey. The views were so pretty, and such a nice afternoon drive.

We ended the day by eating out and returning to the villa to relax.