It's A Small World ~ Pre Trip Report

[lmillercrew]

Wow! Great update! You're mom's birthday looked like loads of fun. You are a very thoughtful daughter! I still can't believe how uncrowded Dollywood was. Every picture you took had hardly any people in the background, unlike Disney. So happy that Sophie could enjoy another American past time of putt putt golf.
Gummy bears are a gelantinous candy. I guess you would think of them as a jelly candy. Anyway, thank you for the explanations of British terms. It's like you said, it's amazing how one thing can have so many different words. My DH and I try to explain to our kids that the English that we speak in America isn't proper and that the English that is spoken in England is. Anyway, I hope to get over there one day.
Your TR is going great. I love it when you write days at a time. It's nice to not have to wait.

 

[retiredkid]

Fantastic update and photos. As pp said, you are a very thoughtful daughter. And it is so nice to see a family that enjoys each other so much. Thanks for sharing.

 

[disneydusted]

WOW!! You guys really did it up right while in Tennessee! Your mom looks so pleased with all of her birthday surprises! The cabin looks just wonderful, what a great location! Your little sister is adorable, I'm sure she charmed all of the people you came in contact with. You've inspired me to look into a little trip down to Tennessee! It's amazing to me how much traveling you do! Very fun!

 

[BellaSwan]

It looks like your mom had a great birthday! The card that you made her was really beautiful as was the necklace that you and your sisters gave her. It looks like you all had another really great day! I can't wait to read more.

 

[retiredkid]

opcorn:

 

[lmillercrew]

Where are you? Busy doing Disney plans I'm sure.

 

[ariel2007]

Sorry for not posting for so long, I have been super busy and also my internet connection has been playing up. I'm at my Mum's for a few days but when I get back I promise I will post some more of my trippie and our most recent Disneyland plans

Anyway since you guys gave me some brilliant advice and ideas that helped make my PF holiday brilliant for us all, I was hoping someone may be able to help us with a bit of advice/ideas

We are considering visiting PF and Atlanta again and would like like to incorporate it with maybe Kentucky, Alabama and Mississippi. However we dont really know where to visit in these states, what there is to do, and what the best route would be. We were thinking about going to Nashville and then onto Memphis after PF but not sure about the others (we don't have to visit them all). We dont want to drive too much so would prefer somewhere nearer to Atlanta in Alabama, a route that wouldn't be too long.

Anyway, thanks for any help you can give, and if you don't really know anythign about these places it would just be nice to hear from you

 

[lmillercrew]

How fun! Another American trip to the South. I have nothing to offer about what to do or where to go. I just know that I would love to see Mississippi. It's so fun to spell

 

[BellaSwan]

I'm not sure about Alabama, Kentucky or Mississippi. Ashville NC is pretty close to Pigeon Forge. In Ashville you could visit the Biltmore Estate.

 

[ariel2007]

I'm not sure about Alabama, Kentucky or Mississippi. Ashville NC is pretty close to Pigeon Forge. In Ashville you could visit the Biltmore Estate.

Yes my Mum really wants to visit there. Our waitress at the Applebarn Restaurant told us about it and said it was worth a visit but we didn't have time on our last visit. Hopefully we will this time, but what exactly is it?

 

[BellaSwan]

Yes my Mum really wants to visit there. Our waitress at the Applebarn Restaurant told us about it and said it was worth a visit but we didn't have time on our last visit. Hopefully we will this time, but what exactly is it?

It is the largest home built in the US. It is beautiful, it has gardens, resturants, a winery, Riverbend Farm and shopping. It is really beautiful. Their website is http://www.biltmore.com, it has some really good info. Hope this helps

Can't wait for the rest of your trip report and more plans!

 

[disneydusted]

Ariel.... where are you ... we miss your stories and ideas.... hope all is well over there in the UK....

 

[BellaSwan]

Just checking in....I hope you are doing well.....We miss you ...Patiently waiting for the rest of your report and new plans

 

[lmillercrew]

 

[ariel2007]

Sorry guys, I know I keep coming and going a bit lately but my internet is being really bad at the moment. We're on the end of the line so every time it is windy, which is like all the time where we live (especially now its coming up to cold and rainy winter), the internet goes down. It is SO, SO frustrating but there is nothing we can really do, which sucks

Anyway I have a few updates for you and will post them tonight hopefully. I just have to watch Strictly Come Dancing and X-Factor first, its all so exciting

 

[ariel2007]

Day 6 ~ Smoky Mountains and Helicopter Tour​

We got up at 7.30am, got dressed and ready and drove to Golden Corral in Pigeon Forge for breakfast. Our server was very friendly and helpful and brought us all juice and we helped ourselves to the buffet. It was pretty much the same food as Orlando, all the cooked stuff, bacon, ham, eggs, sausages of various kinds, hash browns, pancakes, then made to order omelette's and waffles. There was a fruit bar and then cakes, muffins, donuts and ice-cream. We all filled up, it was really good value and Joleen (our server) was always refilling our glasses and checking we were okay.

Piggle's especially enjoyed it

After breakfast it was still really misty and a bit grizzly so we drove out past Gatlinburg and to the start of the Smoky Mountains National Park. We stopped at the information center where the ranger gave us a map and some information, and told us the bears were really active today, so we were really excited. We watched a 20 minute video about the park, its history and about its ecosystems, animals and threats from man. Then we brought some souvenirs from the shop, including a book about the Smokies and a Cades Cove guide and then drove on to Cades Cove.

The drive was 23 miles and took about an hour, we watched for bears the whole time as we winded round the roads along the banks of the river, it was very pretty but no bears about.

We got to Cades Cove and stopped at the information point just before the trail. Dad spoke to the ranger about the loop and bears, Mum and Sophie looked at the horses they had for ridings and hayrides around the loop which then led Sophie to sulk for the next hour because she couldn’t go on one.

We then set off on the 11 mile, 1-way loop, constantly looking out for bears. Along the way were several points of interest and things to see. First up was a cabin, one of the oldest in the park and we learn't about its history, the family who lived there and their lives from a nice friendly ranger inside the cabin. The cabin was basic but had the most amazing views across a meadow and the mountains.

We then drove on past a few little churches and then stopped at one of them. It smelt really old and musty but was quite cute.

We drove on, stopping every now and again for pictures and looking for bears. At one point Mum thought she saw one in a tree and we all went to look followed by a stream of cars. It wasn’t a bear but it was embarrassing, Mum was banned from bear spotting from then on.

Some pictures around Cades Cove

We stopped by the river at the point to Abrahm Falls but the walk was about 3-4 hours so we had a look at the water and moved on.

Next we came to the old corn mill and the visitor center. We looked around the mill and some old houses, learn't about its history and production today which was quite interesting.

We then brought a few more souvenirs before carrying on. We did see a few deer and some turkey vultures but no bears, which was a real shame as we had overheard a woman saying how they were only 5ft from some, so there was some around, just not for us to see

 

[ariel2007]

After the tour which had such beautiful views, we drove back to Sevierville which took a couple of hours. We went to the heliport and as soon as we were there they got the chopper going and we were off. We were told a few rules and then got in, Dad in the front, and us in the back. We rose quite quickly, I had a few butterflies but it was good and Mum soon relaxed a bit. Something I may not have mentioned before is that Mum is terrified of heights and does not like flying, which is why we never went to WDW until 2005. She had always said she would definitely not do a helicopter ride but when we were going to go to New York for her birthday she decided she wanted to do it and got quite excited. This is why we decided to book it, although we did know it was a bit of a risk, so to get her in the helicopter was good. Anyway we then started flying into the foothills of the mountains, it was an amazing view. At one point we went through a gap between 2 mountains it was awesome. We went over Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Dollywood where we saw Thunderhead, it was such an amazing way to see it all, especially the mountains.
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Over Dollywood

Soon though we were back at the heliport, after our 20 minute flight. We had all loved it, including Mum, so I was happy.

We had a few photos taken, thanked the pilot and then drove over to the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, which was in Sevierville, not Gatlinburg. It was set in a little area with the Apple Barn and Cider Shop, Creamery, Winery and Grill. It was pretty with apple trees and lawns and was right beside a river.

We were seated straight away, it was nice inside, really bright and some of the tables had swinging porch benches which was a really cool idea. We were brought apple julip which was homemade apple juice and apple fritters with apple butter (like jam). It was all very nice. We then ordered and were brought vegetable soup and salad with a choice of dressing. The soup was really nice and the honey and mustard dip was so good and homemade at the place. Our mains were then brought with some mash for everyone to share and a choice of side each. I had rib eye steak with coleslaw, Nick had pulled pork with buttered corn, Mum had southern fried catfish with coleslaw and Dad had southern fried chicken and fries and Sophie just had fries. It was all really good and again included dessert too which we took to go again.

We then drove to Tanger Outlets and went to the Disney Store, see I always manage to sneak in a bit of Disney wherever I am.

Nick brought me a Piglet and Daisy Duck, a Tigger food mat for the cats and some bowls. We then went to Timberland and Mum and Nick brought loads.

We drove to an outside Go Kart track in Pigeon Forge and all had a go. We all went in single carts apart from Sophie went with Mum. We went on one that went round and round to the top and then down, it was great fun but there were some stupid men that take it so seriously they just push other people out the way without any cares, this freaked Mum out a bit. We then went on another, Mum watched and Sophie came with me. It was so funny but our car wouldn’t go very fast so we couldn’t overtake this really annoying man who kept braking on purpose so we bumped him, ahhhhhh grow up, you have a kid in your car. Nicks car had been slow both times, he was getting majorly frustrated. Then Nick took Sophie on, and guess what, his car was really slow again, his face was a picture when he got off.

Back to the cabin, we packed up all our stuff which took a while baring in mind how much stuff we had brought. Mum especially struggled with all her new stuff and her stupidly small suitcase, I did warn her. We then all went in the hot tub for our last nights soak. The sky was so clear and it was another beautiful night, perfect for our last night here. Then Sophie and I played air hockey, I won, but then I played Mum and she won, by a lot. We all sat on the sofas and had dessert and then down to bed. I had left todays little gift on Mum’s bed, a glass photo frame with space for three photos, one for each of her girls. She loved it, and then time to sleep.

 

[manntra]

Thanks for the update! What beautiful pictures of the mountains from the helicopter! Sorry you didn't get to see any bears....I had one in my backyard a few weeks back . I have deer that pass through every night and I like them but the bear made me a little cautious when I let my little Ziggy out. We creep around and he is very quick!
Great pictures of the church (Sophie ) and the cabin....also the rollercoaster looked neat and all of the cabins in the little circle---was your cabin in there somewhere?
Don't you have an upcoming trip for Halloween at DLP? Lucky, lucky you!

 

[ariel2007]

Day 7 ~ Rock City and Atlanta​

We were up just after 7am so Nick, Sophie and I could have one last go in the hot tub. It was our first time of going in our hot tub and our first time going in it in the day. It was a gorgeous morning, bright blue sky, no clouds, shining sun and a beautiful view over the gorgeous mountains, it was so lovely we couldn’t drag ourselves out again for ages.

We spent a while in there and then got showered and dressed. We finished packing and then loaded the car which was quite a job with all our extra bags and luggage. Nick cooked us all some pancakes and coffee for breakfast which we ate on the balcony admiring the view for one last time. We took some final pictures and Mum got todays gift, a pair of dangly earrings which again she loved.

Some final cabin photo's

Then about 10am we left the cabin, very begrudgingly. We didn’t need to check out, we just phoned the office which was handy so we were soon on the road down the mountain. We drove stopping to get a few pictures of the views over the mountains.

This was the sign on the lead up to our cabin, it made us laugh every day

We then drove out of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and on the way to Chattanooga. The journey wasn’t that bad, I slept for a bit and then we watched Step Up and we got there before the end.
We had planned to stop over in Chattanooga to break up the journey back to Atlanta and also as we wanted to visit Rock City in Lookout Mountain. We had to go up a really long, tall road up Lookout mountain, the views were great but it was so high.

When we got to Rock City it was very pretty, all built in nice stone and very picturesque. There was a really pretty stone Starbucks with a big fireplace and flowers outside so we got some drinks and sat out there for a while. It was so hot today, the hottest it had been yet.

We then went and got our tickets and entered the first bit which had some shops and Big Rock Grill. It was about 1.30pm so we got some lunch from Big Rock Grill which was a counter service place. Sophie and I got chilli cheese fries, Dad got fries, Nick got cheese fries and onion rings and Mum had a jacket potato and chilli. It was only fast food but very nice.

We then got some water and headed into the trail. Rock City is a trail on Lookout Mountain with various points to stop along the way with things to see. It was all very pretty, all lovely stone and when we entered there was a little waterfall.

We went along the trail which was pretty straight forward and took a couple of hours.

The Swing-a-long Bridge was good but it scared Mum, the view was cool though.

We got to Lovers Leap which was the best bit and you can see across 7 states, Alabama, Georgia (which Rock City is in), Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The view was absolutely amazing but we probably couldn’t see all the states as it was quite hazy in the distance.

The view over to Lovers Leap

 

[ariel2007]

And 7 Flags Court

We stayed there a while taking in the view and taking pictures and then looked at the flags in Seven States Flag Court. Each state you can see from there has a flag on a pole with the US flag and at the bottom of the pole is some information about the state capitol, flower, animal and other state facts, it was really cool.
Whilst we were there Sophie went on the climbing wall and got another free go for getting to the top. She really enjoyed it and loved the views from the top.

There was a cafe and a few other areas at the top and it was all really pretty with flowers everywhere.

We then walked on through Fat Mans Squeeze which was really narrow, through the beautiful rainbow tunnel and up to an observation deck which had great views of the waterfall and lovers leap.

And we saw this little guy on the way

The last part was Mother goose village and Fairyland Caverns, an underground tunnel. It started with gnomes, little diamonds in the walls and sparkly lights everywhere and then there were gnomes in various scenes. Finally there were scenes from various fairytales, first in little gaps through the rocks, lit up illuminescently and then a whole room with a big castle in the middle and various scenes from fairytales. It was very nice and very cute.