Ok, synopsis of our Vacation.

We left home about 0445 the morning of the 11th and got to Pigeon Forge Tennessee around 1330 that afternoon. We drove up hwy 441 (from Gatlinburg to Cherokee North Carolina) for a while until we got to where there were shear drop offs. Patty doesn't handle heights well so we turned around and went back and by then it was time check into our cabin. We followed the directions and after going up 17 switchbacks (covering 1.2 miles and grades so steep you couldn't see to the next switchback through the windshield) we got to the cabin. CUTE little place that we thoroughly loved. Even with the 48 steps (cross ties set into the ground) we made it inside and fell in love with the place.

Up and down the road for the next three days. The 3rd day it rained and the road was still kinda wet. The slopes were so steep we spun out two times trying to get up the hill. It was so seep and tight that if you had a long wheelbase pickup or a dually you couldn't negotiate the turns. IF I didn't turn correctly the rear drivers side wheel would barely stay on the pavement. Anyway, I got so scared of the road I wouldn't drive back down the next day and in the afternoon we got them to let us switch cabins and stay "Down in the Valley". MUCH BETTER! We stayed there for the next 4 nights and were even happier than in the first Cabin.

One day we met up with Todd and Susan at Smokey Mountain Knife Works and toured that for a couple hours and then went out to eat. I would have like to have visited longer as they were both very nice and the visit was quite enjoyable but I begged out early cause I wouldn't drive up the mountain after dark. Now mind you I am NOT scared of heights and "Bad" roads don't bother me. But that road gave new meaning to the term "Steep".

We went out to Cades Cove (except for the day I wouldn't come down off the mountain) every day and saw a total of 25 bears! Patty had one shoot that lasted about 10 or 15 minutes (with no other vehicles around) where we followed a Sow and her cub as they ambled down the bank alongside the road. For the whole time they were within 6 to a maximum of 15 feet away. They paid us NO attention at all.

It was a NICE vacation and Patty was as happy as a fish in water. I hope you all enjoy the pictures I put up in her Shutterbug thread and I will post more as she posts them on facebook.