Great Smoky Mountains and Dollywood

We spent Wednesday and Friday touring the Great Smoky Mountains. On Friday we took a drive through Cades Cove. This is an 11 mile 1 way loop through a valley where approximately 125 people once lived and farmed. There are several log structures, plus 3 old churches along with graveyards. The visitor center has several buildings in the immediate area - to include a home, a mill, and a barn. We must have seen about fifty deer and 1 coyote. Weather was sunny and crisp and cold.

On Thursday we went to Dollywood. While there we saw the 'Christmas in the Smokies' show that is part of the admission to Dollywood. In the evening they have about 5000 lights throughout the park. They also do a festival of the trees which is a pretty spectacular light display. This tree changes from red to pink to purple, to green, to gold, etc. We also walked through the Dolly Parton museum and went on a couple of rides.

Another busy week for us. We're headed to Florida, where we plan to take it a little easier.