Stinson Scoop: Smoky Mountain Getaway

Troy, Tristen, and I just got back from the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! We had a great time! We stayed at the same cabin I rented last year (in Wears Valley) from Saturday until Tuesday. We had planned to go to Dollywood, but it was closed on Monday and Tuesday so we missed it.

Saturday night we went to Gatlinburg and looked in all the cute shops, drank hot caramel-apple cider, and then rode the ski lift. The view was amazing! Sunday we went to Cades Cove and saw a ton of wildlife. I bet we saw over 100 turkeys and deer. We even saw two bucks fighting! Troy says they were in "rut." It was a little sprinkly so we had a picnic in the car! We relaxed that night at home in the cabin and had spaghetti and then chilled out in the hottub.

Monday we wanted to go to Dollywood, but they were closed (I was SO mad because I checked the online calendar and didn't see that). So instead, we rode around, rode go-carts, shopped at the Pigeon Forge outlets, and headed back to the cabin for a bonfire and roasting marshmellows. That night we went to the Dixie Stampede, a dinner attraction. They served an arena full of people roasted chicken, potatoes, soup, corn, and apple pie dessert (you had to eat with your fingers) while we watched a Christmas performance (they were on horses and told the Christmas story). It was a lot of fun!

Tuesday morning we went riding horses on the mountain side. It was so much fun--made me want a horse! But I was sore the next day from riding! We ended up leaving a day early because I was afraid I wouldn't get everything ready for Thanksgiving (at our house). It was a nice, little family trip!