Text Box: Blue Mist Cabins Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 2 Text Box: Hiking Fun in the National Park A trip to the area wouldn't be complete without a day in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Even if you're not a hiker, you can still get out and enjoy this incredible natural resource by taking a drive up to Newfound Gap.  If the weather is chilly--and the temperature does drop about 10 degrees when you go into the higher elevations--you'll still love the incredible views and crisp mountain air.  At Newfound Gap there's plenty of parking and places to take photos.  And have someone take a couple shots of your entire group...people do it all the time for each other.  Just ask a friendly looking person if they'd mind snapping a shot or two of you, and then offer to do the same for them.  Tip:  these beautiful photos make wonderful Desktop or Screensavers for your computer.  I've used one of Newfound Gap for quite some time!  Just remember to save your trip to the higher elevations for the best weather day of your visit if you want the best views.  It's kind of disappointing to drive all the way up the Newfoudn Gap or Clingman's Dome and see nothing but a foggy mist!  Pack a few water bottles, trail mix and enjoy the awe and beauty of the Smokies. Text Box: Where to Get Wine and Liquor When you visit the grocery stores in Pigeon Forge, you'll notice that you can buy beer and wine coolers but no wine or alcohol.  That's because Pigeon Forge is dry and if you'd like to enjoy a shaken-not-stirred martini or a glass of white wine at the cabin, you'll need to visit Gatlinburg.  The most convenient location is the Gatlinburg Package Store.  As soon as you come into Gatlinburg, the large craftsman-type building is located on your left.  You can't miss it.  They have a large parking lot so it's very easy to get in and out. Here's a link to the Sevier County stores in Gatlinburg where you can purchase wine and liquor, plus phone numbers and addresses. Text Box: Restaurant Review: The Cherokee Grill Okay I'll admit it.  After coming to Gatlinburg several times a year for quite some time now, I've never dined at the Cherokee Grill in Gatlinburg.  Having three children with us and looking at the somewhat upscale exterior as we would walk past, made me think this place was a little too rich for our blood and our pocketbook. Was I mistaken. Yes it's definitely a classy place to dine.  The expansive smoked glass windows, torchlights and stacked stone facade build your expectations that this is not a typical rib joint.  I say that in jest, because the company that owns the Cherokee Grill also owns Calhoun's (famous for its ribs) located only steps away.  I visited the Cherokee Grill in late November with my sister-in-law.  It was a special treat after we'd spent the entire day deep cleaning Swaying Pines.  Being a weekday after the Thanksgiving rush, we had no wait for a table and were fortunate to be placed at a booth next to the fireplace, looking out on the Parkway.  Cozy, clean and quite comfortable.  Service was fast and efficient.  Our meals were done perfectly.  Angie enjoyed their very popular 8 ounce Teryaki steak, which she raved about along with a crisp, cold Caesar salad on an equally chilled plate.  I decided that since I'd had steak a couple nights before at the Texas Roadhouse, I'd go for a sandwich.  The Philly Cheesesteak was a easily  foot long and so stuffed that I cut it in thirds and still could barely pick it up to eat it and not look like I was lacking good table manners.  I choose the seasoned fries as my side and again I wasn't disappointed.  Lightly seasoned and made fresh, these are great fries. Probably our favorite taste treat was the complimentary bread basket which they bring at the beginning of your meal.  I wish I had paid better attention and asked what type of herbed bread it was.  My guess is that it's a Tomato-Basil, but whatever this artisan-type bread is, it is a refreshing change from the ordinary.  Angi and I polished off our loaf with ease and decided we didn't care about the carbs...this was too good to leave! Here's a link to the web site where you can read more about the Cherokee Grill and its sister restaurants.  In a tourist town with only a handful of more romantic dining venues, Cherokee Grill fits the bill nicely.  Prices were quite reasonable, as you can see on the menu outside the restaurant.  My sandwich was $7.95 while Angie's steak was about $13.  Tip:  if you come during the colder months when they have the massive fireplace fired up, call in advance to see if you can reserve a table within view.  There are two tables for two directly in front of it, perfect for couples.  Text Box: Avoid Traffic Jams in Pigeon Forge If you've ever gotten off I-40 and arrived to  bumper to bumper traffic in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, we can sympathize after having sat in a few of those traffic jams ourselves.  There are a few back roads, but nothing that will take you from I-40 to Gatlinburg in any direct fashion.  Here's what we do and it works well for us.  Plan your trip so you arrive in Pigeon Forge around mid-morning.  You can stop for a huge pancake breakfast and skip lunch altogether.  Do a little shopping or walking on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge or scope out downtown Gatlinburg.  Then about 2:00 p.m. (an hour before check-in), pick up your groceries at Food City or Kroger.  If you plan to barbeque, don't forget to pick up some charcoal and starter for the grill.  The trick is to avoid the afternoon check-in rush which is typically anytime after 1:00 p.m., especially on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.  Other days of the week aren't typically as busy, but even that can vary depending on time of year and if you're arriving during a holiday period. Text Box: Swimming Fun in Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge is home to a huge indoor/outdoor recreation complex that is open to all--locals and vacationers alike.  I checked out the 80,000 square foot facility recently and I was impressed at how much is offered there.  In the summer, you can swim outdoors for a mere $1.50-$2.00 all day.  The outdoor pool and has a wading area, waterslide and diving boards plus a concession stand.  If you want to swim indoors, play volleyball, basketball, raquetball, run, work out, you name it...it's only $6.00 a day plus tax.  There are 10 bowling lanes, but that's a separate fee.  The city doesn't have a separate web site for the recreation center, but it does have this PDF with photos and more information. The Pigeon Forge Recreation Center is located at 170 Community Center Drive, almost within shouting distance of the Pigeon Forge Kroger store (Wear's Valley Rd., Traffic Light #3).  The phone number is (865) 429-7373. Text Box: DollyWood News and Tips Opening Day April 1, 2006 New Ride:  Timber Top Dollywood's 21st season opens with a new 6.5 million dollar ride (now under construction) that is like no other in North America.  Named Timber Top, the 2.5 minute ride is situated in the middle of a 5,000 square foot pond and can accommodate 40 riders at a time.  It's hard to describe exactly what this new ride does, so here's the official press release and an artist's rendering of Timber Top.  Discounts for Military Personnel During times of war, Dollywood extends a 30 percent discount on admission prices to our country's military personnel including active, retired and reservists.  Here is a link to Dollywood's policy for military discounts You'll see that the information is dated through 2005, so please check with Dollywood to make sure the offer is still good for the 2006 season. A Good Deal for Everyone Dollywood doesn't do much discounting, so here's one of the best deals we've found.   Arrive after 3 p.m. and you can get readmitted the next day for free. By clicking this link you can read Dollywood's policy under the Best Values link.  You can check out the park for several hours the first day, then get a good night's sleep and take everything in on your full day's visit!  Best Days to Go The official Dollywood web site recommends that spring visitors come on Thursdays, while summer and fall visitors are best off trying Wednesday or Friday for the least busy times.  Parking is $6 per vehicle and don't be surprised if you have a lot of company when DollyWood first opens.  The web site can answer a lot of your questions in advance.  For example, they don't allow you to bring coolers with drinks and food in the park, but you can always get your hand stamped for readmission and head out to the parking lot to tailgate!  Text Box: Best Travel Deals of the Year 14 million people come to the Smokies every year and if you've been here at a peak time, you might think they've all come at once.  Off season in the Smokies is considered early January through mid May, and this is a great time to travel if you want the best rates and least crowds.  Our personal favorite is April, when the weather is comfortable, early spring flowers are in bloom, and long lines and traffic jams are non-existent.  On top of that, you can even save a few extra dollars because rates are still off-season and there are specials offers too.  Our rates page has details on our winter and spring specials.  Surprisingly, our busiest month is March with May coming in a close second.  Don't wait if you want to book an offseason getaway.  Dates move quickly!

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