We arrived in Pigeon Forge on the 4th of July. We knew the town was having a big festival with country music and fireworks, but decided to find a spot away from the actual festival to enjoy the fireworks. People were lined up and down the street, so we wanted to find a spot that would be easy to get back to our cabin once the fireworks were over. Well, right off the main drag, on the road we turn to to get to our cabin, up the hill was a cemetery that overlooked the city. There were a few other families there too, so we made ourselves at home and waited for the fireworks! Everyone was facing the town so we were able to see the Dollywood Drones/Fireworks Show, which was amazing, even from far away. Then some big ones started off behind the trees to our right and we had to quickly move spots, but got an even closer up view than we imagined. It was great! Once they were over, we were literally only a one minute drive to our cabin! We lucked out!
Here's the cabin we stayed at. They had games and toys for the kids, so for the first night and the next morning we relaxed and enjoyed the cabin. We had stopped at Publix to get some food, so we cooked dinner the first night and had stuff for breakfast and sack lunches on our hiking trips too. It worked out great! Publix even still had my phone number for all the membership discounts, LOL!
Here's a selfie Katelyn took overlooking Publix in their little eating area upstairs. :)
The next morning it rained so we went to a trampoline park that the kids were begging to do. This would not have been my choice, because we have trampoline parks near home, but they had a blast and it was raining so we wanted to get out and do something.
Luckily after they jumped out some energy, the rain passed and the afternoon was beautiful. We decided to head to Gatlinburg and walk the main strip. We shopped, we snacked, we played putt-putt, checked out some fancy cars, etc. We soaked up the Gatlinburg atmosphere.
Kyler wanted to get fudge at the Creation Museum, on day one! I mentioned we should probably wait because I bet Gatlinburg has better fudge. Well, that was his first request when we arrive, to get fudge! Lucky for him, there were lots of options! I wish we had kept count, but there were these candy shops every 5 seconds as you walk down Main Street.
✔ FUDGE
Hillbilly Golf was our favorite of the day for sure. You take this cute little train type thing up the mountain and then play your way down. And they definitely had some unique set ups that you hit your ball through, LOL!
Hole in ONE!
HOLE in ONE!
BEARS everywhere!
Levi and I went in this car museum place, there were cars worth millions in here! Crazy! He loved it!
Kyler got tired, so Katelyn offered to carry him, but he's not a fan of heights, so this didn't last long. Piggy back rides are more his style!
We got a few souvenirs too, Kyler's was a pocket knife. He's been very responsible with it, so far. He loves anything he can put in his pocket to help him be prepared. He currently owns a pocket knife, pocket watch, pocket scissors, pocket flashlight...his pockets are quite heavy now, but he's ready for anything, at anytime!
Dinner at Mama's was delish!
And Go Karts to end the day!
The next day was our hiking day. We started at Grotto Falls. It's about a mile and a half hike to the Falls and once you get there, you can actually walk behind the waterfall, so cool!
This was my favorite day! I love hiking and exploring, especially when there are waterfalls and beautiful views!
And the drive on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail was beautiful as well, you follow this flowing river the whole way! And cross under some cute tunnels too!
Lex had me take a picture of this. You go through a tunnel, and circle around and then drive on top of the tunnel you just went through, it was crazy!
We made our way over to Clingman's Dome next, which was a long-ish drive, mostly because everyone else was going there too! Once you arrive, it's a steep incline about a half a mile uphill, but beautiful once you get there!
Waiting in line just to get to the parking lot! People were parking at the lookout spots and then walking up the road, but we opted to wait our turn for a parking spot. It wasn't too bad, maybe an hour wait?!?
Once we arrived, we made our way up the steep incline, Katelyn and Lex got a good altitude/incline run up and down the mountain and the boys and I walked it. We even crossed the Appalachian Trail along our path. Lex ended up taking a picture for a group of backpackers. Who knows how long they had been hiking, but it definitely appeared they had been out in the wilderness for awhile :)
View from the top!! I didn't even realize it was cloudy while we were up there, you could see for miles and miles. Luckily the clouds were above the mountains at least!
Levi venturing off the beaten path....
At the trailhead, all the kids, not just ours, loved climbing all over the rocks! Lex couldn't watch, he's getting over protective in his old age :)
After a fun day of hiking, we went to Cracker Barrel for dinner. Kyler had been asking if we could stop and get an old timey soda at the grocery store so he could use his bottle opener on his new pocket knife. Not planned at all, Cracker Barrell fulfilled his dream! He was so excited to open this with his very own bottle opener!
At the top of the kids list was to ride a mountain coaster. We had driven by Rocky Top Mountain Coaster the night before, but the line was outrageous, so we assumed it would be again, but the kids begged we at least drive by and lucky for them, the line was short this time!
Here we go....
You get to control your own speed, so the big kids and I only used our breaks when the signs told us too. Lex on the other hand, is starting to show his age again and said he braked most of the ride down, LOL! It was fast!
Game night back at the cabin, for our last night in Pigeon Forge!
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