April 25 - Great Smokey Mountains

From our RV park, you have to drive through Pigeon Forge, past Dollywood, and then through Gatlinburg. As we were driving through Pigeon Forge, we were amazed at the number of tourist traps there were there. I said to Clive that this was what Dolly Parton had done for Tennessee. Then I gave it a little thought and said, "Maybe some people would rather say TO Tennessee than FOR Tennessee!!"" Gatlinburg was no different, though. Except perhaps for a more Tyrolean influence because they ski there.

There were FIVE different Believe It or Not! museums, believe it or not!!!!!!
If you look close, on the second story you can see someone swinging back and forth in a harness arrangement!
Such a relief to finally enter the park!

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America’s most visited national park. Unfortunately, the Great Smokey Mountains are experiencing a difficult time right now. Similar to our BC Pine Beetles, the Smokies have been attacked by some bug (I can't spell or pronounce the name) and about 80% of the trees in the forests have been decimated by it. The mountains look "smokier" than ever as they are dusted by the grey of the dead trees.
There were lots of tunnels on the road in the park, as well as on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
At this point, we are on the state line of Tennessee and North Carolina.
A tiny little wild pansy.
Clive in the Smokies
A WILD TURKEY!!!!! We saw lots of them driving up the Natchez Trace, but with the motor home on that narrow road, we couldn't stop to get a photo. This obliging fellow ran along beside the Miata for quite awhile, and I was able to get a couple of good photos.
Next the Blue Ridge Parkway