Experiencing America > Trip Year 2022 > Mountains, the Carolinas, and the Colonel > Day 2
Day TWO...
Tuesday, March 29th, 2022
Day two of this journey keeps us actually close to our starting point; in retrospect to other days in other journeys we have done. This entire day was spent in the Sevier County area of Eastern Tennessee. Yet, like most other days and trips...it starts early. It was an idea to be able to see the sunrise over the Great Smokey Mountains, but it was determined to be one to many things. To our surprise...we were able to make it to an overlook on the Gatlinburg Bypass about five minutes before sunrise. It did not disappoint. Seeing sunrises, and sunsets in many different places in the Midwest, and East Coast, the sunrise over Gatlinburg was one of the best.
A sign for the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.
The sunrise over Gatlinburg.
After the sunrise it was on to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. We wanted to get in and out before all of the crowds and tourist. That was a good idea. Being in the park early allowed for a more relaxing time to enjoy nature and the small bits the park has to offer. In this venture into the Great Smokey Mountains we followed the road to Cade's Cove.
Looking along Fighting Creek.
Looking along Fighting Creek.
Looking at "The Sink" on Meigs Creek.
Lookiong at Meigs Falls.
Looking along Laurel Creek Road.
The loop road at Cade's Cove.
The loop road at Cade's Cove.
The loop road at Cade's Cove.
After leaving Great Smokey Mountains National Park it was on to Chestnut Hills for lunch. This was a path that took us through some winding back roads of Sevier County and just across the Jefferson County line for a hearty, filling, and delicious lunch at a lesser known attraction of Eastern Tennessee and the Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg-Sevierville, Tennessee Area. Along the way to lunch we came across one of the many covered bridges of the area.
The Harrisburg Covered Bridge east of Sevierville.
We found a tractor on a stick east of Sevierville. Another road-trip requirement checked off.
Lunch was at Bushs Baked Beans.
On the way back into Pigeon Forge we went through Sevierville. It was time for a little rest up before the evening activities.
A statue of Dolly Parton outside the Sevier County Courthouse.
Another item on a stick in Pigeon Forge.
The time at the hotel allowed a little time to walk around and enjoy the nice weather of Eastern Tennessee at the end of March. Then it was out to explore some of Pigeon Forge in the early evening, and down to Gatlinburg for a late night ghost walk. In Pigeon Forge, we went to explore the Moon Pie store, Guy Fieri's restaurant, and some shine tasting.
Mill Creek in Pigeon Forge.
The Moon Pie store.
Downtown Flavortown.
The 1968 Camaro from DDD.
Tennessee Shine, Pigeon Forge.
Out of the places we tasted...Tennessee Shine was by far the best we came across. The environment was nice, and relaxing and the folks there were very hospitable. Waling the strip in Gatlinburg before the ghost walk was a nice and enjoyable time. The ghost tour of Gatlinburg was an entertaining and enjoyable experience as well. Since it was late it was time to drive back to Pigeon Forge and call it a night.
Day THREE