Smokies Spring 2019 Part 1
Monday, April 8th is where Smokies Spring 2019 Part 1 begins which is is our first full day in the Smokies. We only were able to get a little bit of shooting done during the morning because it rained most of the day. I was also getting over a cold from the previous week and didn’t feel particularly well that morning. I think I had a slight fever but didn’t have a thermometer with me to check. Luckily I felt fine for the rest of the trip minus the coughing.
Our first stop was the Foothills Parkway. It has great view of the mountains and the valleys. It was the only place that where we took photos. We then headed to Hillbilly’s Restaurant in Wear Valley for breakfast. I had French Toast.
Our next stop was Moonshine Ridge where I picked up bear figurine (surprising I know) and some mint chocolate fudge.
Our next stop was GSM Outfitters where Tim was nice enough to buy me a raincoat which I would definitely make use of later in the day. And when I say later in the day, I mean like within an hour. We stopped at a Woodcraft shop after leaving Outfitters and it started raining while we were there.
After a quick stop at the cabin, we headed back to Pigeon Forge. We stopped by Mel’s Diner for lunch. I had French Dip.
After lunch, our next stop was a post office so Tim could send a package.
ALCATRAZ EAST CRIME MUSEUM
Our next stop was the best part of the day. Since the rain was keeping us from shooting in the park, we headed to Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge. The museum has Ted Bundy’s VW Beetle and for a limited time due to the 30th Anniversary of his electrocution, it also has some of his papers. Bundy was put to death in the electric chair on January 24, 1989. I remember the day well. We cheered in my AP Biology class when we heard the news. The museum also had the famous White Bronco from the OJ Simpson slow speed chase, the car Bonnie and Clyde were killed in and John Dillingers car. We did the VIP package which included an audio tour, Top Detective Challenge and the Heist. Tim and I learned that we do not have what it takes to be cat burglars. We could not maneuver the lasers without setting off at least one of them. One of the things we picked up in the gift shop was ice cube trays in the shape of guns.
We made a quick stop at Apple Barn so I could buy the matching kitchen towel and oven mit that I had bought during the trip last November. Before you ask, yes it is bear themed.
We ate dinner at Bennett’s BBQ in Pigeon Forge and then went back to the cabin. There were some cool clouds in Wear Valley but due to the on and off rain storms, I didn’t get any photos.
This ends Smokies Spring 2019 Part 1
You can see photos from previous trips to the Park on my Great Smoky Mountains Gallery page.