The drive from northern Kentucky to our next stop in southeast Tennessee was easy-peasy. Got on I-40 in less than two miles from the Kentucky campsite, straight down the interstate & then a right on a US highway for less than two miles to the next spot. Couldn’t have been better than that!
The campground host/owner was awesome. When I checked in she asked if we were veterans & gave us a good discount. I nearly always forget to ask about one so it was definitely appreciated. It wasn’t a fancy place (an RV Resort) but it was clean with easy roads throughout & a great staff. This is what we refer to as an upscale trailer hood.
On our first full day I conquered the task of grooming the girls. They were hairy monsters! Here’s pictures of Spice all shaved down while Sugar is still a puffy mess. Then a picture of both shaved (Sugar is once again smaller than her sister). Finally a picture of the two after baths & in their flannel PJs. When you are rendered naked after a haircut & it’s cold out, you have to wear cloths!
We also caught up on laundry in the RV (thanking our lucky stars for an in-house washer/dryer) since we couldn’t wash at the last location – no sewer hook-up on site. Life is hard sometimes & then … it isn’t.
The next day we went into Sevierville & Pigeon Forge – heavy traffic because EVERYONE is up in the area enjoying the changing of the leaves! Soooo much to do & see in these cities! But – GAG – at so many cars & people!
We had lunch at Hard Rock Cafe – a place we visited way back when Robby was a little guy & we vacationed just after Christmas one year. There is so much to see in each of the chain of restaurants pertaining to the music industry. I took pictures of several really neat things.
Below are pictures of just some of the displays they have on the walls & corners.
Next door was the upside down building – I remember going there with Robby. Fun stuff!
And then there was a little “curb art” on the next block where the Hatfield’s & McCoy’s Dinner Show is located. We went there on another night to fill our depleted Hillbilly tanks with laughter. More on that latter.
Just a block or two down was the Titanic Museum which was our intended destination for the day. I have to admit I was disappointed that it was only a half a ship but it had some neat stuff from the actual ship so it wasn’t bad. I did fail to hear the tour guide say there was no photography inside so I was a picture taking fool until she reprimanded me half way through the tour. OPPS! Anyway, here are some pictures I took before I tucked my phone away!
Below are pictures I took as we meandered through the various rooms & exhibits.
When we left the museum, heading back to Newport & the RV, I took a picture of the mountains – it doesn’t show well here but it looked like smoke was rising from them. Thus the name “Smoky Mountains”.
We then stopped into the Bush’s Baked Beans store & museum. It was wonderful! Lots of folklore history explained by the family members who run the company now. And some really great photo opportunities!
Back at the park, we walked around & took pictures of a few of the fun Halloween decorations. This park was serious about the holiday – I have never seen so much decor! Fun stuff & fun people!
A few of the RVers in camp hopped aboard the decorating wagon, too. More joined the fun as the week progressed.
And then there were the live creatures that live in the park. This is Aflac. His brother Loud Mouth was just a few steps away. There are also live fish in the pond & ducks galore running around like they own the place. Our pups were not freaked out by the two ledgers which was a surprise to me!
Finally, the park had a mini-golf course. It’s not fancy but it was free!
Another day we drove over to Pigeon Forge to meet up with a couple we met on our last A Year 2 Volunteer project. Dave & Sherry were currently serving as camp hosts at a nice RV park in the area. We love making friends along the way!
On our way back to Newport we stopped at the Tennessee Shine Company which had a Moonshine Museum. It wasn’t an extensive museum but it was fun & had some great info & exhibits.
Perry did pick up a jar of the hooch, along with a lapel pin (we collect them along our travels) & a post card for Lily. Also, I loved the sign outside the door.
Over the weekend we had dinner at Cracker Barrel & found this beast on a high shelf. That Mountain Lion looked really intimidating – glad he wasn’t jumping at us!
On Monday night we drove back over to Pigeon Forge to the Hatfield’s & McCoy’s Dinner Show. It was so fun! I guess, because of COVID, only one couple or family could be seated at a single table. I think it used to be a Family Dinner type thing. Anyway, Perry & I were the lone diners at our table & we had great seats to see the show. We were served mushroom soup, fried chicken, pulled pork, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, corn-on-the-cob & rolls. That was followed by some pretty darn tasty banana pudding. It was all good & we got to people watch while we ate. Then the show started. My goodness was it action packed & just corny fun. We enjoyed getting our Hillbilly fill-up for the year! I took just a couple of photos because the lighting was iffy. And we failed to get a pin & post card for Lily. But we did have a great time! Here’s a few pictures of the exterior of the building & the two pictures I did take of the show …
On our last day in Tennessee we just hung out at our RV. We had planned on going to Dollywood or even into Gatlinburg but the crowds of Fall Leaf Lookers were too much for us. We stayed safe all these months & wanted to remain healthy so we put the area back on our bucket list for another pass through.
Perry got a GREAT shot of a beautiful sunset over this stunning area. I hope we always remember the good times in eastern Tennessee!
Not all who wander are lost! #whereswaldocamping