Smoky Mountain National Park

  Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Wednesday, July 9, 2008

This morning we were late to get away - I have had a problem with my debit card, with the hotel in Greenville taking out an extra amount - while I rang them to try and sort it out and unfortunately it is still not fixed.
We went and sent some things home by post (mostly little presents etc) and then set out for the Smoky Mountains. We got somewhat lost and spent some time on very narrow twisting roads along the Blue Ridge Parkway before we got things right and headed off to the National Park. Passed a nasty looking truck accident on the way.
                                    
Stopped in Bryson City and got some directions and then drove through the very beautiful Nantahala Gorge, which follows the river for about 20 miles.
          

                                                      

There were hundreds of people rafting and canoeing down the gentle rapids and we stopped to watch for a while before heading back north taking a magnificent road up over the Smoky Mountains and down the other side into Tennessee. The road wound its way up through thick overhanging jungle following numerous small streams and then peaked at nearly 5,000 feet.  It was a slow drive - lots of sharp bends and lots of traffic - but the scenery was breath taking.
                                                   

At the northern end of the road was Gatlinburg which turned out to be a glitzy, smaltzy town full of way out shops and every conceivable type of entertainment - something only Americans can do - and there were thousands of people holidaying there.
Further on at Pigeon Forge we came across "Dollywood" which is a large theme park on 125 acres owned by Dolly Parton which is a sort of mini Disney Land. The crowds of people and the traffic were amazing and we found out later that 2.5 million people a year visit the park!!!
From there we headed to Knoxville for the nights stop.