On The Road Again....

It didn't take me long before I realized that particular Cracker Barrel wasn't that special. There just happens to be one located at every exit in Tennessee to meet all your hunger needs, anytime of day.

Usually I dread a long drive when I am riding in the back seat, but I settled in with hubby, the Tassimo machine and my trusty iPod and I was all set. It only seemed appropriate to listen to some country tunes while traveling through the hills of Tennessee. When in Rome......ha, ha! After a few songs I was definitely in the mood for this country adventure. There was just one thing I realized - folks in Tennessee do not do anything as fast as Gretchen Wilson sings. Maybe I should have brought some Merle Haggard instead.

The drive actually flew by since all the scenery was fresh and new to me. I kept myself busy trying to get a good picture of an old barn along the side of the road. I think they make the coolest pictures no matter what the season. Well, I don't care who you are, it is hard to take a picture from the back seat of a car while you're moving, but that didn't stop me from trying.

As we grew nearer to our destination, I never really saw a road sign leading to Gatlinburg. What I did see was Sevierville, TN. which I had never heard of and I didn't think sounded very inviting. Upon our arrival in Sevierville, I began to understand that this was the "Tourist Trap Capitol" of Tennessee. There were restaurants, souvenir shops, museums, attractions and just all around "goin's-on" for as far as you could see. Some of the attractions that Sevierville offers include the Black Bear Jamboree Dinner & Show, Cirque de Chine, Floyd Garrett Muscle Car Museum , Smoky Mountain Deer Farm & Riding Stables and don't forget to check out Wonder Works, an amusement park for the mind with over 100 hands-on exhibits plus the Hoot N' Holler Dinner Show. We, however were there for the 2 main attractions....the Tanger Outlets and The Apple Barn Cider Mill and General Store. I have to admit I was anxious to see The Apple Barn. I like apples and just about all things apple related. This place had apple everything, along with a restaurant that brings apple fritters and apple juleps to the table before even taking your order. The Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant has undeniable country charm and homestyle country cookin'. My mother-in-law made sure to pick up a few "fried apple pies" for breakfast the next morning, just in case.

Now I won't bore you with the Outlet Mall because as soon as my mother-in-law could not find what she came for, it apparently lost all it's appeal. We weren't there very long. We finally made our way towards our cabin as it was getting late and we didn't want to be cabin hunting in the dark. We figured we would get settled in and then go out for dinner afterwards. At this point I am still wondering where exactly Gatlinburg is, but I was pretty sure we would see it eventually, even from the back seat........

Comments

[Jeju]

at least three posts already and you're not yet in Gatlinburg. Good luck on your Gatlinburg hunting!

[Fred]

In truth, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge (so close they are indistinguishable one from the other) are strategically located between I-40 and Gatlinburg as a buffer zone. They have probably been Gatlinburgs real salvation, by distracting enough would-be visitors to keep Gatlinburg from being pulverized by the traffic and washing away in the "crik"! But if you're determined enough to make it through, Gatlinburg is well worth the effort!

[Karen]

I just drove 8 hours to Sevierville to attend the Mountain Quiltfest. I bought wine at the Applewood wine barn. Yummm. We stayed in a cabin and it was wonderful. Sewing, food, hot tub. Happy gal.

[Annie]

Jeju-Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and reading my stories. That is how my traveling works, like I said we aren't the most efficient travelers, but we get there eventually!

Fred-That makes perfect sense about protecting Gatlinburg from too many tourists. As you read on you will learn that I truly did like Gatlinburg when I finally got to see it. Glad you told me what to look for!!

Karen-I loved our cabin, as you will hear about in my next post and I am going to have to go back to enjoy the hot tub and the overall peace and quiet.Thanks for stopping by!