Windy City, Smoky Mountains ~ Day 11 - Cades Cove & Hillbilly Golf

[wickesy]

No torrential rain or laziness today so we were up by 8:15. We went out at around 8:45 and began making our way down to Cades Cove, only to come across a roadblock so we had to make a lengthy detour, which worked out well because it meant that we went past another shop that we wanted to look in so we managed to cross that off on the way.

We eventually arrived at Cades Cove at around 11:00 and began making our way around the 11 mile one-way scenic loop, stopping off at a few places of interest along the way.

There was normally a big queue to take pictures of this sign at the entrance to the park but this morning we were first ones there.

Continued

 

[wickesy]

We also got stuck in a ‘bear jam’ on the way round but luckily once the cars started moving off the bear was still there so we managed to see our first live wild bear in a few years of attempts. These pictures were about the best I could do whilst trying not to hold up the traffic behind me and almost getting the car stuck in mud!

We made our way around the rest of the loop eventually leaving at around 2:00 - yes it did take us 3 hours to do 11 miles, but that did include the stops along the way.

Continued

 

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From Cades Cove we drove back to Gatlinburg and decided to do the Hillbilly Golf course. This involves taking an incline railway up the hill and then playing your way around the course in the hillside before getting the railway back down. It’s not elaborately themed but being among the trees it means it’s nicely shaded and cool. For the record I scored 47 and Dad scored 51 on the par 41 course so neither of us are going to be threatening any course records anytime soon.

By the time we finished playing it was just after 4:00 so we went back to the cabin for a break before going out for something to eat.

We went out at 5:30 and did the now familiar drive into Pigeon Forge and went into Golden Corral where we started off with a bowl of salad each then a plate of fried chicken, pulled pork, bourbon chicken and mushrooms and finished off with ice cream. As we were eating we saw something that you don’t see every day - a wedding party came in complete with bride in wedding dress!

We were back at the cabin for 7:30 where Dad did a load of washing and we were in bed at the usual time with another free day in store tomorrow.

Day 12

 

[tennisfan]

The food sounds lovely. The scenery is amazing

 

[suzycute]

I love the look of the golf - reminds me of Fantasia golf with a Hillbilly theme!

 

[Pegasus928]

Another good report. And to see a bear in its natural habitat must have been very rewarding.

 

[juliebrooks35]

I am loving this trip report

On our next trip to the US we are planning on giving Florida a miss(shock horror) and planning some time in Branson, Missouri and Gatlinburg Tennesee. Your pictures have confirmed just how beautiful the Great Smoky Mountains are

I can't wait to read the rest.

 

[Chilly]

Hillbilly minigolf

 

[Snowy-girls]

I am not a huge historical fan-but i do know about Cades Cove+i loved seeing your pics of the original cabins/buildings .#How great to see a Bear.
Also love the look of Hilbilly Golf .x.

 

[wickesy]

Another good report. And to see a bear in its natural habitat must have been very rewarding.

It really was. We have been to Canada quite a few times at the right time of year and never seen a bear so to finally see one was great.

I am loving this trip report

On our next trip to the US we are planning on giving Florida a miss(shock horror) and planning some time in Branson, Missouri and Gatlinburg Tennesee. Your pictures have confirmed just how beautiful the Great Smoky Mountains are

I can't wait to read the rest.

Oh you should definitely visit the National Park. As others have said photos really aren't a substitute for seeing it for yourself.

 

[irongirlof12]

fab, love the scenery and the mini golf course

 

[Lizzybear]

Great photos again Although Cades Cove looks very scenic in the day I can imagine it looking quite creepy and horror movie-esque at night in a Jeepers Creepers/Texas Chainsaw Massacre sort of way, definitely another dimension for photos. Sorry just speaking my odd thoughts there don't mind me! The mini golf looks fun, though I bet they lose a lot of golf balls in the forest!

 

[wickesy]

The mini golf looks fun, though I bet they lose a lot of golf balls in the forest!

I nearly lost one when I got a bit 'over-enthusiastic' with one shot.

 

[arieljasmine]

The bear is beautiful, so pleased you got to see one in 'real life'! I thought the mini golf looked great - as another over enthusiastic mini golf player I feel sure I could have lost several balls on that course! I loved the extra dimension of having to get on the train up and down.

As we were eating we saw something that you don’t see every day - a wedding party came in complete with bride in wedding dress!

Classy!

Laur's xx

 

[wickesy]

Classy!

That's what I thought. I know not everybody can afford, or wants, a big wedding, it's the bride's day and there's nothing wrong with Golden Corral - but really, for a wedding dinner?!