Last Stop of Dream Vacation - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Once we entered the Smoky Mountains National Park on our way to Gatlinburg, we stopped to hike up to Clingman's Dome. It was a steep climb, and we had to stop to rest before reaching the top. When we arrived, I continued to go on to the top of the observation tower to enjoy the views. The vistas were lovely, but one distressing site was so many dead spruce trees that died from a disease. Their white tree trunks reminded me of skeletons... We stopped on the way back down the trail to have a photo taken us on the Appalachian Trail.... not that we would ever attempt that trail!

By mid-afternoon, we reached Gatlinburg and checked in at Mountain Loft Resort. Our condo was adequate for our needs, but not plush like in Charleston. We caught the trolley downtown and enjoyed walking the busy main street and seeing all the tourist traps!

We didn't stay very long in the village as we were booked for The Hatfield's and McCoy's Dinner Show in Pigeon Forge that evening. The food was really good and the show was corny, but we laughed a lot.

Sunday morning we worshiped with fellow Christians in Gatlinburg, took a nap that afternoon and then caught the trolley back to town. A thunder storm blew in so we didn't see much that afternoon. Our final evening of our dream vacation was rather quiet! Watched a movie in the condo and rested. Early Monday morning we checked out and headed toward Memphis with a lunch date with good friends in Nashville.

Our vacation was memorable and it would be difficult to say which part was the best. I'm thankful that we had this opportunity together to tour so many historic sites. We still enjoys each other's company - what a blessing from God! It certainly was good to arrive safely home on Tuesday night!

Our summer had just begun, and we had many other trips and activities planned. Hope to post them soon. Until later......